Projects
Welcome to our curated collection of real-world shipping container home projects from around the globe. Each project tells a unique story—designed by architects, builders, or passionate homeowners who embraced modular, eco-conscious living. From remote off-grid cabins in New Zealand to striking two-storey homes in suburban Australia, these builds showcase the versatility, beauty, and innovation possible with repurposed shipping containers.
Whether you’re an architect looking for case study inspiration, a developer exploring modular construction, or a future homeowner considering a container build of your own, this is where practical design meets sustainable ambition. Every home featured here includes key project details: site location, number of containers used, layout considerations, sustainable features, and insights into construction methods and builder vision.
Dive in to discover how people are rethinking traditional housing by turning steel boxes into warm, functional, and future-forward homes. Use these examples to shape your own ideas, refine your plans, or simply enjoy the creativity of container architecture.
The Periscope Project: Innovative Shipping Container Art Space in San Diego
The Periscope Project: Revolutionary Shipping Container Art Gallery in San Diego Redefines Urban Creative Spaces. In the vibrant East Village district of San Diego, an innovative cargotecture community project has transformed a narrow urban lot into a thriving creative hub. The Periscope Project, completed in 2011 by ENS_Projects, represents a pioneering approach to modular shipping container building design. This multidisciplinary cooperative space provides essential amenities for artists, designers, students, and activists. Furthermore, it demonstrates how shipping container art spaces can create sustainable, accessible environments for creative collaboration.
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Alterra Pinamar: Eco-Friendly Shipping Container Glamping Resort in Argentina
Alterra Pinamar: Pioneering Shipping Container Beach Resort in Argentina Redefines Coastal Eco-Tourism. Along Argentina’s picturesque coastline, approximately 250 miles south of Buenos Aires, an innovative shipping container hotel has redefined sustainable hospitality. Alterra Pinamar Container Glamping stands as a testament to thoughtful design and environmental stewardship. This unique container resort blends harmoniously with its surroundings while offering an exceptional visitor experience. Additionally, it represents the evolving story of Pinamar—a region with a remarkable environmental transformation spanning over eight decades.Read More »Alterra Pinamar: Eco-Friendly Shipping Container Glamping Resort in Argentina
Quiksilver Pro NY 2011: REBÉ Design’s Shipping Container Event Structures
Surf Culture Meets Urban Design. In 2011, the Quiksilver Pro New York surfing competition brought more than just waves to Long Beach, New York. It also introduced a bold experiment in shipping container architecture. RE:BE Design, led by production designer Stefan Beese, created striking pop-up shipping container structures. These temporary buildings transformed the beachfront into a blend of modern urbanism and coastal aesthetics. Beese moved away from traditional white tents and Tiki-style decor. Instead, his vision brought the raw edge of the New York City streetscape to the serenity of the beach. He collaborated with general contractor Kosmo Studios, 3D designer Seyavash Zohoorie, and graphic designers Daniela Nelke and Jensen Killen.
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Maison Container Lille: Patrick Partouche’s Modern Shipping Container Home in France
Maison Container Lille: A Bold Statement in Sustainable Living. A Modern Shipping Container Home in France by Patrick Partouche. In the heart of northern France, the Maison Container Lille redefines residential design. Located near Lille, this innovative dwelling was created by architect Patrick Partouche. Completed in 2010, it shows how recycled materials and modular construction can form a fully functional family home.
This distinctive container house in France is built from eight repurposed shipping containers. The structure offers 240 square meters of interior space. It spans two levels and sits on a reinforced concrete foundation. The entire frame was assembled in just three days using a crane. As a result, it stands as a compelling example of modern prefab construction.
The bold design captures attention. Yet, beneath its industrial exterior lies a thoughtful, livable, and eco-conscious plan. The home also meets rigorous energy and acoustic performance benchmarks, making it one of the most notable shipping container homes in France.
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Wynyard Quarter Shipping Container Kiosk: Innovative Visitor Center in Auckland
Stack nine shipping containers on top of each other, add in some cool multimedia interfaces and staff it with helpful, waterfront aficionados and you have the new visitors kiosk in Karanga Plaza, Wynard Wharf on the Auckland Waterfront.Read More »Wynyard Quarter Shipping Container Kiosk: Innovative Visitor Center in Auckland
MUVBOX: Montreal’s Solar-Powered Pop-Up Shipping Container Restaurant
MUVBOX: A Shipping Container Restaurant That Pops Up in 90 Seconds. Transforming a Shipping Container Into a Pop-Up Restaurant. MUVBOX is a solar-powered, eco-friendly pop-up restaurant built from a recycled shipping container. It opens in just 90 seconds at the push of a button. Montreal entrepreneur Daniel Noiseux created MUVBOX to combine fast food with sleek design. With a background in architecture and graphic design, he shaped the concept to deliver sustainable, shareable dining experiences. Inspired by Adam Kalkin’s Push-Button House and Illy Café’s modular structures, MUVBOX reimagines mobile dining. It uses modular restaurant design to serve premium fast food—like lobster rolls and Quebec specialties—in bold, portable spaces
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Burk’s Falls Shipping Container Housing: Modular Affordable Living in Ontario
A New Model for Shipping Container Housing in Ontario. In the quiet town of Burk’s Falls, Ontario, a forward-thinking housing initiative has taken shape. Developer InvestorCentric Inc. is transforming recycled shipping containers into functional, code-compliant residences. The project aims to demonstrate how steel containers can deliver affordable housing while addressing the rental shortage in rural communities. As a standout example of shipping container housing in Ontario, this development merges cost-efficiency, durability, and sustainability.
Read More »Burk’s Falls Shipping Container Housing: Modular Affordable Living in Ontario