Lack of space today is nothing new, especially for people who live in major cities that are becoming increasingly overcrowded. Practical utilization of space has become an art of ingenious architects and designers. So let’s say you have a home that is big enough for you and your family. But what about occasional guests? How can you assume the role of the host when you don’t have a place to put them in? The possible solution is to grab yourself an empty shipping container and get to work!
A decent size shipping container can be acquired for just over $1,500 and it is the perfect solution for anyone with a backyard looking to add a small guest house for extended family and friends. An average shipping container measures 40 feet long by 8 feet wide by 8 feet tall, or (320 square feet). They are abundant and recycling them as a living space is both environmentally friendly and inexpensive, the structure of steel bones is stronger than a wood frame. They are resistant to mold, fire, termites and other insects and the most practical thing is that they can be converted into residential uses off site, transported and then assembled on site. The negative side is that the containers are often lined with pesticides and other chemicals in order to be safe for transportation.
Although it needs less time to build a guest house out of a container than a typical construction, you need to prepare for it. A building permit must be acquired from a local building department. Secondly, it has to be put on a concrete foundation. When you make the foundation, it will be delivered and placed on site.
After you have it delivered, you start converting it into a guest house. It needs to be cut for windows and door, wires and pipes need to be incorporated and walls should be isolated. If you don’t want the corrugated exterior walls to be visible, clad the walls with a material to match your existing home.In order to make them comfortable for your guests, the interior of the container shelters is to be designed according to your desire and taste. Considering the small amount of space that these containers provide, you can equip them with all necessary furniture and accessories and think the best way to maximize the limited space. Take for example the “29 Square Meters” project, where the living room, kitchen and dining area are combined into one room while a huge bed area is built on an upper level 4.5ft high; or “The Cube Project” where you will find a kitchen, fully functioning toilet, two-seater sofa with coffee table and a bed for 2 – in an area of 3m x 4m and height of 3m. It also features solar panels on the roof to power the entire cube.
With an investment of a couple of thousand dollars you can make yourself a great accommodation for your guests. It is environmentally friendly, inexpensive, practical and functional. And it looks awesome. Because it is awesome.
