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[ShabbyChic]

Hey Gabe, check this out. --Peter (Shabby's husband)

www.cargotecture.com

[SC lady]

Hey! That reminds me of an article I read on homesteading. The writer suggested that you consider alternative housing such as a large storage shed/barn style structure. He suggested that you could have a livable structure on site for less than $10,000. You'd have to run the water and electric, finish & insulate the inside, but for about $5,000 or less, you can get one of those structures installed on site. Some of them come with electrical wiring.

The pictures of the cargotecture jogged my memory.

[Gabriel Anast]

That is truly amazing. OK... this seems like a business that someone could get into relatively easily. I think those sea containers are practically free as they don't (can't for a good price) ship them back to China or wherever they came from...

Very interesting. Seems like they would be difficult to insulate... but for a quick structure they look unbeatable.

Also, on the forum (which is difficult to navigate) this guy:

http://www.greenershelter.com/ (interesting site... needs more photos!)

...mentions that the sea container house thing has been used in several buriable "bomb shelter" designs.

--gabe

[prepare]

That is a really cool idea! As far as insulation goes, we were talking and brainstorming here about the possibilities of burying it part way as in an a partial earth house.  You would probably need to treat it or special coat it first, think about drainage, and maybe extra insulation beyond just the dirt.  Some great ideas here.
http://nontraditionalhousing.tribe.net/thread/dcd514b2-9652-4634-a3cf-cbe3a21026ef  Very intriguing idea.

[ShabbyChic]

You can't really see it on the site unless you look closely, but they've actually planted grass (and herbs) on 1/2 the roof and covered the other 1/2 with clean river rocks.  The runoff water is collected into two drums which are strapped to the side of one of the container.  There is enough water to flush the toilets and cook (depending on your rainfall). 

The 2 guys who came up with it were looking for a way to have a green, sustainable structure for cheap in areas hit by tsunamis and other natural disasters.  I (Shabby) love that a larger main living space and just a nook for a bed or shower is the way to go.  And what a shower! 

It is actually slatted in the floor, so that the water just runs out underneathe.  There is only a toilet and sink, and the shower head just sticks out of the wall, so you are standing in the same place to shower, or brush your teeth and shave, or take care of business.  No wasted space!

They have lined the walls with plywood (you can see it is stained a cherry color) and insulating it would not be difficult at all (says my husband).  He says closed cell spray foam insulation would be good.  of course, we are biased because that's what he sells for a living...     He says (from over my shoulder) it doesn't matter, it's still the best.  And he's right. 

He says you'd have to nail or glue in 2x4 or 2x2 studs in order to attach the plywood on top of the insulation.  Passing inspection would be a nightmare   

Pete says that burying it is a great idea.  Personally I need windows.  He says I can have skylights.   

They promote it as the perfect 320 square feet (hence the name, studio 320) "get away" in the woods.  Definitely not big enough for our ever-growing families... but the possibilities of piecing together a few containers is very appealing.  --shabbychic & pete

[Gabriel Anast]

Wow, I have to say that anyone reading this thread should... must look at that link which "prepare" posted. It has many other links, and a whole lot of ideas and other info.

As far as the insulation I would have to say that the spray on stuff looks like the best way to go unless you just use the stuff they use in steel buildings that comes in monster rolls... I forget what its called. Not nearly as aesthetic I suppose.

Is the stuff you are talking about (Pete) the same as is listed below, Blown On Insulation?

--gabe

(Here is a list of resources from the cargotecture.com site)

Contacts for Component Support

Manufacturing/Assembly: Stageplan, Inc.
www.stageplan.com
Steel fabrication and interior assembly.
Contact: Ronnie Alexander
_____________________________________________________________
Window Package: Two Rivers Windows
www.tworiverswindow.com
Sustainable quality wood windows built from certified downed wood.
Contact: Steve Liebetrau
_____________________________________________________________
Eco-Interiors Support: The Environmental Home Center
www.environmentalhomecenter.com
All green residential supplies, ecostain, advice on components, etc.
Contact: Pieter Sundgren
_____________________________________________________________
Blown-On Insulation: Progressive Insulation
www.progressiveinsulation.com
Green, water-based, non-VOC, high R-value application of fireproof moisture-barrier insulation.
Contact: Sean Wate
_____________________________________________________________
Container: Con Global International
www.cgini.com
Seattle-based container recycling, repair and sales.
Contact: Jimmy Banks
_____________________________________________________________
Countertop: Paperstone. Kliptech Composites
www.kliptech.com
100% recycled newsprint & natural wood resin countertop composite, a product with no off-gassing, ability to be cut with conventional wood tools, ability to be exterior siding as a sustainable replacement for hardiboard.
Contact: Joel Klippert
_____________________________________________________________
Heat recovery ventilator: Eagle Institute
www.eagle-institute.com
Energy-conscious ventilation of healthy air for tight buildings; this ventilator removes 90% of the heat from expelled air, introducing that heat to intake air while filtering outdoor particles.
Contact: Wes Wilson
_____________________________________________________________
Removable, Pre-Cast Concrete Foundation. Pin Foundations, Inc.
www.pinfoundations.com
Sustainable diamond piers are a precast concrete pier and steel pin system which is light enough to hand carry to the site, taking 10 minutes to install per footing, and no waiting to begin framing.
Contact: Rick Gagliano

[Gabriel Anast]

OK.. I know how people are lazy... and I know how web pages and sometimes whole sites disappear, so, here is the short version of that link at tribe.net:

http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ4/Nomadic_Housing2000.html
http://www.modspace.com/products/index.html
http://www.satelliteco.com/mobile.html
http://www.undergroundcontainer.com/
http://www.globalportablebuildings.com/
http://www.containerhouse.com/ch00002.htm

We have a guy here that got a permit for a pole barn 40 x60. He put in a slab, sat two 40' containers on the outer edges and threw up the roof. Enclosed the ends and away he went. I have been really looking into this. Possible with an earth berm and solar panels on the roof.

Wes Jones is working on a new web site totally devoted to the subject. Its not out yet, but I can get a link at work for next week.

Here's a cool project by him: http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/studios/s97/burns/p_jones.html

I think it would be cool to use a cargo container or two to build a subterranean house and then build a much larger cobstructure above it. that way your house would still be really cheap and you'd still be able to have the container(s) as your bomb shelter plus you'd have the cob upstairs as your 'guest cottage'. It would be alot roomier having the two and you'd have the comfort and aesthetic of the cob upstairs while simultaneously have a bombshelter that was underground. Even if that isn't your cup of tea it would be a really cheap way of making a multi level structure.

A prefab earthship waiting for the green house south facing front and trim work...

Burying...Don't forget drainage! metal rusts fast if water stands against it. I have seen several applications with buried containers. Some worked some leaked. Those who took drainage seriously succeeded!

they are between $2000- $2400 delivered for 40ft. sometime they have SALES down to $1500 for their picked overs. free delivery is 100-150 miles and further is VERY inexpensive surcharge.

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam17/At_The_Edge.html

i am doing exactly what you are considering. heres my project
http://beaverlake.homestead.com/moark.html it is in the boondocks atop the ozark mountains, where me and my ole lady dropped out to in 77. first generation hippies.
i opted for a reefer unit instead of a SEABOX ( thats what those shipping containers are actually called SEABOX) because it afforded a HIGHLY INSULATED FINISHED MAIN STRUCTURE INSTANTLY. the rest is obvious from my webpage. as you see in the photo i am also a fulltime skoolie and into alternative energy systems as well. my project has been powered by alternative energy systems for 3 1/2 years. here are my BIGBOX links
If you don't click anything else, >>> http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/containerbayhome.htm
http://www.ravenstockmsg.co.uk/home.htm
http://radio.weblogs.com/0119080/stories/2003/02/08/galleryBoxesAndCans.html
if i can help you just hollar. P.S. i will have to tell you about my other place called skyranch. it too is unconventional. but that will have to wait. i just joined tribe and have other tribes to get started in. will monitor and respond on this subject for now though.

Here is the link to the page that this all came from.

[moufasa denbafo]

There is some interesting info here. Most of it is very small living spaces, but with an interesting twist. And there are some great links to other living spaces. http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/about.htm

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