My New Hobby - Shipping Container Homes

[MKSixer]

I'm was speaking with my friends about a project to earn a little money, stimulate the brain, and fill the time. We are a pretty eclectic group, a couple of engineers, senior university administrator (very well connected), pharma executive (me), and architect and a construction project manager/contractor.

After looking at a few different projects we decided to give a hard look and decided to look at housing. Specifically container based housing. We have already looked at basic designs for entry level housing with sustainable characteristics of solar (where possible), water reclamation and rooftop gardens.The total square footages will be from from 1,100 to 1,600 square feet. From our research it could take as short as 3 weeks to complete the smaller sized homes and about 4 or 5 weeks for the larger structures.

We are starting the benchmark project on a piece of property my family has in an older section of town that is being gentrified. I'm super stoked about starting this with my friends and a family member and maybe we can do a little good for entry level home buyers, as well.

Here are a few pictures with the first one being similar to the initial design we will assemble. I welcome any input if anyone has any experience in this type of assembly/construction.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Very cool. Just curious do you have a price per sq/ft for finished product. I could see doing something like this especially if it was cheaper than conventional builds.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Cool! An associate of mine has a container home in Houston.

Make it smart. https://www.loxone.com/enus/

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Old Man

Very cool. Just curious do you have a price per sq/ft for finished product. I could see doing something like this especially if it was cheaper than conventional builds.

For a basic model the cost is about 40 per sq/ft for finished product. The more sophisticated the design and options the more expensive.

[TXSTYLE]

Nice man! Congrats!

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

For a basic model the cost is about 40 per sq/ft for finished product. The more sophisticated the design and options the more expensive.

That seems pretty inexpensive. Good luck!

[c1pher]

Looks great but I’m disappointed. I was hoping you’d install solar panels on my country house.

[overcoil]

What is “container based housing” ?
Is it software ? I googled but it’s not clear

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Cool! An associate of mine has a container home in Houston.

Make it smart. https://www.loxone.com/enus/

I just looked at it...definitely going to research it!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

What is “container based housing” ?
Is it software ? I googled but it’s not clear

Shipping Container is the proper term.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Looks great but I’m disappointed. I was hoping you’d install solar panels on my country house.

Hang on, I'll be right over!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Nice man! Congrats!

Thanks Big Marcus!

[overcoil]

That is very interesting and cool. I saw a few months back a story on high rise shipping container residences (I think in China)

I’ll try to find and post.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

That seems pretty inexpensive. Good luck!

It is and we are going to stick to 10 designs and build them as efficiently as possible. Our first foray will be in the affordable housing market. Our objective is to provide affordable housing first with more sophisticated designs, thereafter.

Even marketing the homes at 80 per sq/ft, the first homes will only cost about $88K for a quality and well built sophisticated design. It's a win for everyone.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

That is very interesting and cool. I saw a few months back a story on high rise shipping container residences (I think in China)

I’ll try to find and post.

Thanks!

There are some extremely cool designs and I like the modern design aesthetic. My cousin is a big-time Chicago architect and is also stoked about the project from the unique design aspect.

It's a team of all Type-A personalities. I can't see any problems here.

[overcoil]

I think this was the article

http://www.jetsongreen.com/2015/03/s...-in-texas.html

I see in Washington DC they have it.
Wish you a lot of success, some of the designs are wild.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I think this was the article

http://www.jetsongreen.com/2015/03/s...-in-texas.html

I see in Washington DC they have it.
Wish you a lot of success, some of the designs are wild.

I'm quite excited about the designs and look forward to planning my own home. I will create a thread for it when I start the process.

Thanks for all of this, Scott! I appreciate your kindness.

Cheers-MK

[N54Yankee]

Often times a businesses success can hinge on being it the right time for the right product. Think you're on to something, good luck.

[2000cs]

I’m a skeptic. Like the “tiny house” HGTV movement, I think it looks cool until you try to live in it, then it gets old really fast. I’d love to be proven wrong, but it looks like the sort of thing an engineer would jizz for and the rest would puke on.

I like the design, there is a cool factor, but living in it? Not for me. Give me something with a little more, what, romance?

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Often times a businesses success can hinge on being it the right time for the right product. Think you're on to something, good luck.

Having posted what I just did, I’ll agree with this, too. I don’t profess to understand what motivates others, just my own perspective and preferences.

[DetroitP]

What income demographics are you targeting?
Rust proof?
Are they sealed? water/air?
Expansion for hot climates, contraction...etc

Great designs btw!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Often times a businesses success can hinge on being it the right time for the right product. Think you're on to something, good luck.

Thanks!

The timing is right because of an omnibus city revitalization now and the ability to undercut the market with a unique product of good quality. The value proposition of this construction vs stick built is much higher. I became quite acquainted with this type of construction in my industry through my system designer and it made sense when I saw it in passing. I delved into it a bit more deeply and it just made sense.

Cheers-mk