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!

1.1 1. Quik House

1.2 2. Santa Cruz 1920 Container house

1.4 4. U-Shaped M-640 Home

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!

Shipping Container Homes

Are Shipping Container Homes Safe? Are Container Homes Dangerous? We Break It Down in This Guide

Are shipping container homes safe? We break it down for you in this article. Read more here….

Read More »

Shipping Container Homes

11 Rustic Container Homes to Draw Inspiration From

Those looking for an alternative design to prefab or modern container homes might love rustic

Read More »

Accessories

How to Build a Wall Inside a Shipping Container

The advent of the shipping container conversion trend has seen multiple new and refurbished containers

Read More »

Accessories

How to Frame a Shipping Container

Are you wondering how to frame a shipping container? Whether you’re planning on transforming your

Read More »

  • Recent Posts

    • Best Shipping Container Homes for Sale in Kentucky + Top Builders
    • Shipping Container Homes for Sale in Mississippi + Top Builders
    • Shipping Container Homes in Seattle, Washington for Sale from Top Builders
    • Shipping Container Homes for Sale in North Dakota + Top Builders
    • The Best Shipping Container Homes for Sale in Rhode Island + Top Builders
  • 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

    How long does a shipping container home last? ›

    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.

    Are container homes hard to cool? ›

    While sturdy and durable, a shipping container's steel walls can get very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. That means you'll definitely need insulation if you intend to use the container as a living or working space, or if you plan to store temperature-sensitive assets such as electronics or perishable goods.

    Is a container house worth it? ›

    Shipping container homes are durable but may lack the longevity that traditional houses have. A custom container home can last 25–30 years with proper maintenance, but a standard home generally lasts much longer than that, especially considering homes are passed down generations and still stand the test of time.

    Is it cheaper to build a house out of shipping containers? ›

    Yes, shipping containers. According to HomeGuide, the average cost to build and install a container home is $25,000 to $250,000. While that's no small chunk of change, it's significantly less than you'd expect to pay for a traditional house in most parts of the country.

    Is it safe to live in a container home? ›

    Despite the challenges, container homes can be safe if built correctly. Professionals in architecture and engineering have developed ways to reinforce the containers' structure and make them habitable, targeting concerns such as extreme weather conditions and seismic activity.

    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.

    Are shipping container homes good in winter? ›

    This means that the interior of the container stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, without the need for extensive heating and cooling systems. In addition to the natural insulation provided by the steel construction, container homes can also be outfitted with additional insulation.

    Why do shipping containers 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.

    What is the best color for a shipping container? ›

    Specific colors, such as gray and white, are better at reflecting sunlight. This is why refrigerated containers are usually painted white, keeping temperature-sensitive cargo fresh and cool inside.

    Are container homes noisy? ›

    Container homes can be loud. This is because they are made out of steel, which conducts sound better than many other common building materials.

    What is the downside of container homes? ›

    Shipping container homes can be more expensive to insure than traditional homes. This is because they are made out of steel, which is a more volatile material than wood or bricks. Limited supply. Shipping containers can be difficult to find, because there is only a limited supply of them available.

    Can a container home withstand a hurricane? ›

    In conclusion, container homes can withstand hurricanes if built with the right foundation, windows, reinforcement, and anchoring. Therefore, by taking these precautions, you can enjoy the many benefits of container living while staying safe and protected during severe weather.

    Do container homes hold their value? ›

    Investing in shipping container homes can be profitable. They can be cheaper to build and maintain than traditional homes, and they may hold their value well. Are there any resale value considerations for shipping container homes? Container homes are reported to maintain a high resale value, often 100% or more.

    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? ›

    According to containerhomehub.com, rust occurs on shipping containers when they are exposed to moisture and oxygen, which leads to oxidation (the breakdown of iron-based metals). Rust can weaken the structure of a shipping container home and lead to additional problems, such as leaks and water damage.

    What is the problem with container shipping? ›

    The container shipping industry is intricately interlinked with global supply chains, making it highly susceptible to disruption. Also, it included challenges in the container shipping industry. Natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, or unexpected pandemics can severely affect goods movement.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Domingo Moore

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6208

    Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

    Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Domingo Moore

    Birthday: 1997-05-20

    Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

    Phone: +3213869077934

    Job: Sales Analyst

    Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

    Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.