Shelter
The project
This project is a modified 20 foot shipping container house that was designed and built to operate off the grid - complete with all functional requirements for independent living. It is a potential prototype for a housing concept whereby the shipping container shell could either be shipped along with a complete kitset of parts that could then be assembled and installed by the buyer, OR a fully detailed set of plans, templates, component schedules with assembly manual, compiled for a self build. Possible applications include a secondary dwelling, temporary accommodation, or even emergency housing.
This project was built as a side project by the owner, who worked on it part-time during weekends for several years while working full-time. Whilst the owner had a good general design and building knowledge, they believe the project is within the capability of anyone with practical construction skills in combination with specialist electrical, joinery, metalwork and plumbing trades.
The owner advises that whilst the project is small, it is quite comfortable - the key design requirement being to have a good balance of interior and weather protected outdoor space to enable year-round living .
By utilising a modified shipping container and maintaining its structural integrity through careful placement of door and window openings, and using “bolt-on” detailing for the decks, solar panels, verandah and foundation plates, the whole structure can be relocated quite simply if required.
The roof comprises a simple skillion roof over the container, which enables rainwater collection and also protects against excessive solar gain in the summer. A verandah is formed by the solar panels, which generate almost all the electricity for the building, although there is a backup generator that can be used when needed. The walls and ceilings are insulated with "expol" sheets under plywood and tongue and groove linings. The use of expol minimizes the wall thickness encroaching into usable space. The walls also incorporate ventilated cavities within the container wall profiles, and no condensation has been experienced by the owner to date (note: the project is located north of Auckland and is not subject to extreme temperature variations).
The kitchen is a modular “Elfin” unit including fridge, microwave, sink, bench, hot plates, and drawers. There is a separate bathroom with a shower, shower dome, marine toilet, wardrobe and basin. Hot water is provided by a solar electric (“marine” type) water heater. A small 500 watt electric heater is used for space heating however a “diesel air” heater will be installed shortly to provide supplementary winter heating. A 2.5Kw solar power system which incorporates high quality componentry, is the main energy source and this is fully integrated with the back-up generator.
Low Cost
The small size, combined with the owner providing most of the labour kept costs down on this project. Other economies were achieved with careful design and simple detailing, and by using some recycled and low cost materials such as painted plywood.
The owner noted that it cost about $40,000 excluding the electrical system to complete. The electrical system including the solar panels and gel batteries, cost about $22,000 and whilst this was approximately one third of the project's cost, the use of quality components has resulted in a highly reliable system powering a range of kitchen appliances and various computer, audio, visual, and music appliances free of electricity charges.
About the Owner/Builder
The owner comes from a mainstream development background, with experience in design, construction, and management of large construction projects. This experience together with some world travel and research into alternative ways of doing things, led the owner to develop this “tiny house” solution after their family situation changed. They no longer required the large family home on the property which is now rented to a family with a much greater need for a large house. The owner believes that it can be quite healthy and comfortable to live small providing that care is taken with all aspects of the design and construction.
The owner loves investigating alternative ways of doing things and has progressed various projects, including tree houses and a flat pack worm farm waste disposal system that can be made for a couple hundred dollars.
Possible further development
This project has the potential to add to the suite of options for low cost and/or sustainable housing in New Zealand and the owner is looking to work with someone having complementary skills who might be interested in developing this concept of kitset container homes further. If you have an interest in or are working on a similar project and are interested in partnering, Low Cost Housing Aotearoa can put you in contact.
Contact
To contact the owner send Low Cost Housing Aotearoa a message with the heading ‘Shelter’ and we will forward this onto the owner - you can do that here.
