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**Jester** · 12-11-2011, 10:52 PM

I am currently in grad school for Master's of Architecture and have been working with a design/build studio where we are using shipping containers to build a structure for a local non-profit. Shipping containers seem to be the fad for the past five years, but they are popular for a reason. The benefits of shipping containers are that they are extremely water tight and structural beasts. I has already made up my mind that I am going to get 2 of them to play with once I get out of school. I was wondering if anyone else has ever had this idea or actual done it?!?!

aludwig · 12-11-2011, 11:37 PM

I have never even heard of that. How much do they cost and how difficult are they to get? It seems like a cool idea, but probably a lot more difficult to work with than traditional building supplies. You'd have to be able to cut holes for windows/vents. I don't know how difficult that is.

bmunos · 12-11-2011, 11:41 PM

I have seen a guy who used them to grill out in... It was pretty cool it was like his man cave outside. That being said i know he had some skilled metal people working for a solid month so im not sure how expensive it would be.

joeybeer · 12-11-2011, 11:46 PM

I would imagine a good angle grinder could get holes cut in, then I'd just frame with wood like usual, but that's cause I'm a wood guy not a metal guy

nukinfuts29 · 12-12-2011, 12:28 AM

Would be something to consider if they were just sitting around, I can't imagine comanies let them go for cheap, then theres transportation.

I would figure I can go to Home Depot or any building place for less money and say I want that shed delivered.

Brek81 · 12-12-2011, 12:33 AM

I've been looking at that for a piece of property I would like to move to, not sure of all the minor logistics though (insulating, finishing, electrical, ect)

nukinfuts29 · 12-12-2011, 12:38 AM

Your thinking about living in a shipping container?

**sudsmcgee** · 12-12-2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukinfuts29

Your thinking about living in a shipping container?

It's common in Hawaii, but not in colder climates.

Chrisl77 · 12-12-2011, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukinfuts29

Would be something to consider if they were just sitting around, I can't imagine comanies let them go for cheap, then theres transportation.

I would figure I can go to Home Depot or any building place for less money and say I want that shed delivered.

I remember seeing on a tv show somewhere that over seas companies don't want them back after the shipment is done. Seems it is cheaper for them to purchase new ones then have the crates shipped back.

**Jester** · 12-12-2011, 12:45 AM

You can normally find a used shipping container for a little over $1,000. No sure how that price compares to a typical wood framed structure. The easiest way to cut holes is with an angle grinder on the horizontals and a sawzall for the verticals.

See the pictures below... One thing that is cool, you can weld to the container and rely on it for the structural needs of the building. The roof, floor, etc are all supported from the containers.