4 Cool Shipping Container Homes with a Courtyard | Container Addict (2024)

  • Last Updated: January 17, 2023
  • Ryan Stoltz
  • 2 Comments

Transforming shipping containers into houses with courtyards is the ideal solution for combining cost-effective practicality with outdoor vibes.

To help you create your dream shipping container home with a courtyard, I’ve put together a list of 4 real-life options and plans that you should check out. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents hide

1 4 Shipping Container Homes with Courtyards that are Must See!

2 FAQs

2.1 Who are the best container home builders?

2.2 Are shipping container homes good in cold weather?

2.3 What is the best container home with a courtyard?

2.4 Do shipping container homes increase in value?

3 Wrap Up

3.1 Share this:

4 Shipping Container Homes with Courtyards that are Must See!

If you’re in the market for shipping container homes with a courtyard, be sure to draw inspiration from the following units:

1.Quik House

  • Price: sold in 2018 for $875,000
  • Number of shipping containers used: 9
  • Size: 4,000 square feet
  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Bathrooms: 3.5
  • Standout feature: very modern look with characteristic floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows
  • Year Built: 2008
  • Architect/Builder: Adam Kalkin

First up, we’re looking at the Quik House located in Califon, New Jersey. Designed by Adam Kalkin, this is a perfect option for folks looking to ownluxury shipping container homes.

With a bit of a rustic home design feel, the Quick House has appeared in various magazines worldwide as a prime example of what you can get when you combine shipping container construction with luxury.

Its basic layout consists of two rectangular-shaped buildings, each made up of two levels. The buildings connect via a central courtyard on the ground level and a sky bridge on the top level.

The Quick House looks super modern and elegant, featuring floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows and doors that give it a unique appearance with great exposure to the view outdoors.

This shipping container house includes a basem*nt, a media room, 2 offices, 2 kitchens, a living area, a dining area, a master bedroom, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a laundry room, a pantry, and a hall/library.

2. Santa Cruz 1920 Container house

  • Price: $412,600
  • Number of shipping containers used: 5
  • Size: 1,920 square feet
  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Standout feature: the design is very versatile and flexible so you can tweak the interior plan in a dozen different ways
  • Architect/Builder: Meka Modular

The Santa Cruz 1920 by Meka Modular has a spacious U-shaped layout that surrounds a large courtyard. It accommodates bedrooms, a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, 2 full bathrooms, a living area, a kitchen, a dining area, and a utility room.

Meka Modularshipping container buildingsaren’t classified as containers. Instead, the company classifies their homes as “light steel frame modular buildings“, which are permitted in any jurisdiction.

Meka Modular serves all 50 states in the United States and 10 provinces in Canada.

3.El Tiemblo House

  • Price: $144,600
  • Number of shipping containers used: 4
  • Size: 2,045 square feet
  • Bedrooms: 2
  • Bathrooms: 2.5
  • Year Built: 2009
  • Standout feature: the design excels in separation between guest areas and main sections, which improves privacy and energy efficiency
  • Year Built: 2009
  • Architect/Builder: James & Mau Arquitectura and Infiniski

Built in the shape of an “L”, this unique container house hails out of Ávila, Spain. The El Tiemblo House consists of 2 levels, both consisting of two 40ft shipping containers positioned side-by-side.

Completed in just six months, the first level of the nearly 2,000sqft container home consists of the living room and kitchen, with large glass sliding doors leading out to the courtyard.

On the second level, you’re welcomed with a balcony, two bathrooms, two bedrooms, and a study room to top it off.

If you’re looking for something cozy with lots of light and that is moderately priced, you can’t go wrong with this design.

See also:10 Must-See Shipping Container Apartments

4.U-Shaped M-640 Home

  • Price: $67,900
  • Number of shipping containers used: 3 (2x 20ft and 1x 40ft)
  • Size: 640 square feet
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 3
  • Standout feature: it’s equipped with your very own sauna!
  • Architect/Builder:Momoco

If you’re looking forshipping container house plansto build a container house with a courtyard, you should consider this one by Momoco.

Made up of two 20 x 8-foot and one 40 x 8-foot shipping container, this unique build offers 640 square feet of interior living space. Built to accommodate a single family, this home boasts three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living room, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a spacious courtyard area.

But, what really sets this home apart from most, is the built in sauna that comes with this design. It’s hard to find another home for $65,000 that includes a sauna.

What I also love about this home is the many upgrade features that it comes with, including privacy screens, hardwood floors, solar power, and more.

So, while it starts out at $67,900, the final price of this shipping container house will depend on the customization options you decide to go with.

The other important factor to consider is that Momoco is based out of Thailand. So, while they do ship worldwide, their pricing is for the units only, with shipping costs depending on your location.

FAQs

Who are the best container home builders?

My top recommendations for the best container home builders include:

1. Custom Container Living: this company is committed to giving its customers the home of their dreams with a huge collection of container house plans featuring everything from studios to 3-bedroom family configurations to commercial units. Although it’s based in Missouri, it serves all US states.

2. Alternative Living Spaces: If you’re looking for a unique, eco-friendly, and stylish home, then you need to check out Alternative Living Spaces. Based in Las Vegas, this company specializes in building gorgeous tiny homes from recycled shipping containers. Not only are these homes environmentally friendly, but they’re also extremely affordable. And thanks to their small size, they’re perfect for people who want to downsize or simplify their lives.

3. Kubed Living: based in Los Angeles, this company ships everywhere and offers many pre-designed models and tons of custom layouts.

Are shipping container homes good in cold weather?

Shipping container homes can be good in cold weather but only if they’re properly insulated.

The interior of such homes gets extremely cold during winter and extremely hot during summer because steel allows heat to move easily in and out of the structure.

What is the best container home with a courtyard?

In my opinion, the best container home with a courtyard is one with a U-shaped design such as the Santa Cruz 1920 by Meka Modular.

Do shipping container homes increase in value?

Shipping container homes can maintain a very high resale value if they’re regularly serviced and kept in good condition. But, they usually won’t increase in value as a traditional stick-built home would due to the shorter life expectancy of a container home.

Wrap Up

There you have it, a comprehensive guide to help you create the ideal shipping container home with courtyard that matches your budget and taste. Which one do you like the best? Are there better homes that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments!

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  • 2 Responses

    1. I’m a beginner in this area. Would like to know the best routes to start a new build. Just need pointers from beginning to end. Total knowledge of everything. Thank you for your remarks.

      Richard

      Reply

      1. Hey Richard,

        Love to hear that! We’re working on an e-book at the moment that will cover all of that knowledge for you. Hopefully we’ll have it ready before the end of the year. The book will cover everything related to building a container home, but if there’s anything in particular you’d like information on, please let us know!

        Thanks
        Ryan

        Reply

    4 Cool Shipping Container Homes with a Courtyard | Container Addict (2024)

    FAQs

    Do shipping container homes get too hot? ›

    Hot Climates

    Shipping containers are typically made from steel which conducts heat very well, but in a hot climate, keeping a container cool is easy with a few smart design choices. Choose a larger-than-necessary roof to extend over the home, shading windows from direct sunlight.

    What is the lifespan of a shipping container home? ›

    Because they were built to safely transport goods over long distances and often-harsh conditions, shipping containers are extremely durable, making them an ideal choice for homes. With proper care and maintenance, these homes can last decades - an average lifespan of 25-30 years.

    Is it cheaper to build a house or a container home? ›

    Lower Cost to Build

    Building a shipping container home is cheaper based on a few factors. Obviously, they're built on a much smaller scale and you'll need less materials to complete the interior, so the materials and labour involved will cost less.

    Why do container homes only last 25 years? ›

    When maintained properly, a shipping container can last upwards of 25 years or longer. The lifespan depends on the condition of the container and the environment in which it is kept. Although they are built to resist harsh climates, its' lifespan can be cut short by wetter, saltier climates.

    How safe is it to live in a shipping container? ›

    Shipping Container Homes Can Be Just as Safe as Regular Homes. Shipping container homes can be equally safe as traditional homes when proper construction and safety measures are implemented. Despite concerns about toxic chemicals and harmful paint coatings, there are ways to address these issues.

    Are shipping container homes prone to mold? ›

    Moist conditions within shipping containers not only cause physical damage to goods, such as the corrosion and damage to some metals, they can also pose health concerns. Mold and mildew need moisture to grow, and both cargo sweating and container rain create the perfect environment for this to occur.

    How do you keep a shipping container house from sweating? ›

    Use desiccants

    Desiccants are available in several forms, including: Desiccant bags – Desiccant bags hang from the interior walls to trap moisture inside a shipping container, helping to lower the dew point and reduce the risk of condensation forming.

    Are shipping container homes safe in lightning? ›

    Shipping containers are essentially metal boxes. Because shipping containers are made of steel, they will become conductors if hit by lightning. However, if a container is grounded, the shell will act as a Faraday shield and the electricity will be conducted around the outside without affecting its contents.

    How much does it cost to build a container ship home? ›

    How much does a shipping container home cost? For most homeowners, this eco-friendly, small-space living solution costs anywhere from $25,000 to $250,000 or more, with luxury options reaching $10,000 . Overall, you can expect to spend $150 to $350 per square foot for a shipping container home.

    What are the disadvantages of shipping containers? ›

    A non-modified shipping container often does not have ventilation. It can get extremely cold or hot depending on the weather conditions. Without proper ventilation, this can cause products to melt or in some cases explode.

    What are the cons of a container house? ›

    One of the potential drawbacks of shipping container homes is that they can be cramped and uncomfortable. Because they're typically only about 10-15 feet wide, they can feel a bit claustrophobic. Plus, the metal walls can make them hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

    Do container homes get hot? ›

    If you are fortunate enough to live in a warm climate then during the summer months you may find your shipping container home gets a little too warm, just like any other home.

    Which is better, a tiny home or a container home? ›

    Tiny homes are designed to be portable and can be moved from one location to another. Container homes can also be moved, but they are typically less portable than tiny homes due to their size and weight. ADUs are generally not portable, as they are built on a specific piece of property.

    Are container homes a bad investment? ›

    Container homes are cost efficient, eco friendly investments. The initial costs of container homes can be lower than traditional homes. Container homes are durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions.

    What are the risks associated with shipping containers? ›

    Some common risk factors related to transporting shipping containers
    • Bad handling. Handling refers to the process of picking, packing, loading and offloading cargoes or containers while controlling the movement, storage and protection of items. ...
    • Atmosphere conditions. ...
    • Cargo theft. ...
    • Other distribution hazards.
    Jun 22, 2022

    Do container homes rust? ›

    Rust is more than an aesthetic concern for your shipping container home. Rust is a significant contributor to shipping container deterioration. It weakens the structural integrity of the container walls and makes them more vulnerable to damage and water intrusion.

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