Comments on: Maersk container home

By: Favorites 2008 « is this houston?

Favorites 2008 « is this houston? — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:38:59 +0000

[...] Maersk Container Home [...]

By: renaissanceronin

renaissanceronin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:59:36 +0000

xnomad: 1600 sq ft is actually “garage space,” as the entire first floor is not allowable as “living space.” due to flood conditions and code. (I’m in South Mississippi, remember?) The actual house starts 12 feet off the ground.
It seems large, but it really isn’t as big as you’d think. The house itself provides 4000 sq ft of living space under ac. It’s handicapped accessible, because my wife _is_ physically challenged. That made requirements for space “above average.” It includes a home office (I consult from home), areas designated as R&D space, and great room configurations.
Fully 75% of the construction materials are recycled, reconditioned, or reclaimed.
As it’s a “superinsulated envelope” my energy consumption is comparable to a traditional (stick built) 1900 square foot home. We’ll use a “fresh-air furnace,” instead of traditional AC/heat.
The home also implements passive and active solar tech, along with radiant heat/cooling (geothermal hvac, connected to “fresh-air furnace).
The “rooftops” are “green spaces,” complimented by production gardens, and greenhouses. A built in water retention system aids “irrigation.”
Decks allow outside living, with reduced footprint.
My “environmentally taxing” home will have a dramatically smaller footprint, than the house next door…
Think of it as a home I can afford to live with, as opposed to “in.” And one that my family can grow in, without fear of “outgrowing.”
I’m working with USGB-LEED advisors, to insure that we “award” highly. I want others to see that the average guy, can do this for his family, without breaking the bank, or getting into situations beyond “average understanding.”
From start to finish, we’ll spend less than $200k building this home. We’ll spend approximately $40 a square foot. That’s well below “average construction.”
My blog documents the whole process, and I hope others learn from it… I pray that they do. Sharing what we’ve learned is an important part of the process. If we help one family, as we save ours, we’ll feel blessed…
RR

By: xnomad

xnomad — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:59:39 +0000

Very cool renaissance man- but a 5600sqft single family home in the USA is above the average needed for a family a four, that in itself is environmentally taxing. Try splitting into 2 single family homes in that 5600sqft space to be even more green… send some pics my way as you get further along.

By: renaissanceronin

renaissanceronin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:50:57 +0000

Hey, it’s even happening in “third world countries” like “Mississippi, USA!” LOL!
My family is currently building a 5,600 sq ft home, out of 40′ containers, and recycled aircraft hangar components.
It’s been a struggle, but not in the way you’d expect. The most difficult part is the “politics of the project.” Views are “narrow” here…
One of the most important parts of this for us, is sharing what we’ve learned, with others!
Check my blog, for a blow-by-blow of the construction action!
RR

By: Adapn

Adapn — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:44:41 +0000

thats for sure, man

By: SoGreen

SoGreen — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:36:39 +0000

that house apparently belongs to a reporter from the local fox station.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=6003085&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

By: Lake

Lake — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:14:48 +0000

Next time you’re bored in London, check out Container City in the East End (just watch your back) …

http://www.containercity.com/