Very interesting...I can honestly say--I just might!

Very cool.  A practical way to recycle.  As long as the finish work is good and they meet code I say go for it!  Funny, I figured those things were constantly reused, had no idea they just pile up.

*I can't believe it can cost $250sqft to build in CA!!!

I saw this a few months ago and I think it is a great idea to use the containers.  I've seen some great websites with examples.  My daughter lives in the UK and there are a number of container homes/condos etc in the Docklands area.

I need to find someone to build those up here in Idaho! What a cool idea!

Andrew:

Good post.  I currently don't have any lenders that will finance the shipping container home.  I bet FHA will insure it.

Andrew, kinda cool.  What a neat idea!

Thanks for the post, Andrew. I saw a listing in 2004 in North Hollywood for several affordable housing dwellings built from shipping containers a group including Lucius Foster were going to build. I spoke to him at length about his project, and had high hopes their development would be another link in the chain of not only green housing, but affordable housing. He ran in to all kinds of difficulties in the permitting process with the City of Los Angeles, though, and I'm not sure they ever completed the homes. What a great recycling effort!

Karen- Thanks! That is very interesting.  It would be neat to know if they ever did finish it.  I had some friends in Arizona that lived in a rail car that they built their home around.  It was very cool.

Their plan was to place 6-8 containers on a raised foundation with all the plumbing running under the house, with enough solar energy generated for these low-income familes to sell back. Even more fun were the tales Lucius told about his other experiences with one of the architects in the 1945-1962 Case House Study Program sponsored by Arts & Architecture magazine. He's in his 80's and has been a fighter pilot, attorney, teacher, developer, builder, engineer...an amazing man, and what a character!

Went and Googled Lucius's info to see where the affordable housing container project was at, and found this: http://modernisticproperties.com/Home_Page.html , I love this thinking outside the box for affordable green housing solutions!

Great idea. It would be interesting to see the finished product. i would take this into consideration before building another home.

Karen - That is great stuff and a great site.  I will post a detailed daily stuff on shiping container homes and refer to this!  Thanks so much for your information!

You're welcome, Andrew. Would love to see others join two such critical issues - affordable housing and sustainability.

You know what is funny is I was just driving downtown yesterday when I saw one of these on display downtown. I thought it was some kind of art display, I had no idea that this was what they were accomplishing. I thought it was silly then but hey if it can make affordable housing, why not?

The situation with the Building Department is changing caused I think by the recent downward direction of the economy.  We need affordable housing. The monies you spend for housing should be no more then 30 % of a families income. Most of the problems in housing were caused by people taking on too high a burden in housing cost. I think that if we build like Ford did the Model T, almost assembly line style. Crews in line one after the other lot after lot. The costs can be held down and a home produced of 1920 sq. ft. that is truly affordable. The cost of land can be met with modifications on the 99 year lease. To that task I am dedicated. Modernisticproperties.com