| Believe it or not there is a group of architects that | | | | shipping containers as the foundation. |
| have developed some very stylish residences out of | | | | Although his Push-Button house is only an |
| the humble shipping container. Not only residences, | | | | experimental project, Mr. Kalkin has built houses that |
| there have also been hundreds of metal shipping | | | | he intends to make available to the public, like his |
| containers used for museums, restaurants and | | | | Quik House. He currently has orders for ten. These |
| weekend houses. You would not even realize that | | | | modern prefab houses are made from five shipping |
| these beautiful and creative structures were once | | | | containers and are then loaded on a truck and |
| hauling supplies across the country. | | | | delivered to the buyer. It takes less than a week to |
| The shipping containers are stacked, painted and | | | | reassemble them on location. The Quik House sells |
| customized to form the outer structure of the | | | | for between 150 to 175 thousand dollars, depending |
| houses. Glass ceilings, walls and windows add light and | | | | on the distance to deliver the house and the options |
| give the structures a very bright and airy look. | | | | that the client chooses. There are many different |
| The Shelburne Museum, located in Vermont, features | | | | options, including mahogany sliding doors and a full |
| a Collectors House designed by interior designer | | | | stainless steel kitchen. |
| Albert Hadley and architect Adam Kalkin. It was | | | | In addition to this deluxe version of a prefab home |
| created by using 3 overseas shipping crates that | | | | Mr. Kalkin is also planning on selling a single shipping |
| make a very striking house. The building features | | | | container living space called an A-Pod. This will be |
| glass garage doors, a large patio area, living space, | | | | equivalent to a studio apartment, and will sell for |
| bedrooms and a full sized kitchen. | | | | under $100,000.00. |
| Adam Kalkin has designed houses out of shipping | | | | Humanitarian issues |
| containers before, but his last one is actually a luxury | | | | Most architects have noted that the prefab shipping |
| dwelling for the rich. He unveiled his creation at the | | | | container habitat is ideal for setting up in emergency |
| Art Basel Miami Beach art show in December 2005 | | | | situations and for humanitarian needs. These very |
| and the attendants were surprised to see lavish | | | | structurally sound and durable homes can be moved |
| furnishings and a beautifully designed interior inside a | | | | easily on the back of trucks and can be loaded and |
| shipping container. The project has the interesting | | | | unloaded numerous times with no damage or need |
| title of "Push-Button House" because it can be loaded | | | | for repairs. They can be moved virtually anywhere |
| in the back of a truck to be moved and it opens up | | | | there is a road and it is easy to hook up plumbing |
| like a Murphy bed to expose the interior. | | | | and electrical connections to the outside of the |
| Jennifer Seigal is another architect that uses shipping | | | | shipping container. |
| containers to create beautiful living spaces. One | | | | They are very dry, leak resistant and easy to care |
| example is the Seatrain house she built for real | | | | for. They can be insulated to keep out the cold and, |
| estate developer Richard Carlson, equipped with all | | | | despite being metal, are reported to be easy to cool |
| utilities and featuring an indoor fountain. She indicates | | | | even in hot climates. The shipping container homes |
| that these houses are much less costly to build than | | | | are virtually fire resistant and can be easily cleaned or |
| the traditional ones, and that they are very modern | | | | painted if necessary. |
| looking and can be customized to the individual needs | | | | While a shipping container home may not have been |
| of the buyer. | | | | an option you had previously considered, it might be |
| While the use of shipping containers for shelter is not | | | | something to ponder in the future. The sky is the |
| new, the thought of making architectural statements | | | | limit to using your imagination in designing your very |
| and unique creations is. Architects strive to create a | | | | own low cost prefab home. |
| feeling of openness, light and beauty using the prefab | | | | |