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Two-Storey Shipping Container Homes

Two-storey shipping container homes offer a compelling solution for sustainable living with vertical efficiency. By stacking repurposed containers, designers can deliver spacious floorplans and elevated views—without expanding the building footprint.

This section explores two-storey shipping container homes that combine smart planning with rugged aesthetics. Whether built on urban infill lots, suburban blocks, or remote countryside land, these stacked structures add functionality without sacrificing sustainability. Most designs feature open-plan ground levels, rooftop terraces, and upper-floor bedrooms—creating dynamic zones that support family living, remote work, or rental accommodation.

Engineered for modular strength, shipping containers are ideally suited for stacked configurations. Their uniform geometry allows for fast assembly, while their steel frames support solar panels, green roofs, and natural cladding. Inside, architects are transforming rigid industrial shells into warm, light-filled spaces using timber, glass, and passive cooling techniques.

As interest in multilevel prefab housing grows, two-storey container homes represent a bold step forward. They’re efficient, adaptable, and ready for every landscape—from downtown laneways to sloped bush blocks.

Scroll down to explore real-world examples of two-storey shipping container homes in action—designed for resilience, space, and sustainability.

Graceville Container Home, Brisbane, Australia

Graceville Container Home | Sustainable Shipping Container House in Brisbane

    The Graceville Container Home stands as a landmark in the growing movement of shipping container homes in Brisbane. Completed in July 2013, this three-level architectural residence sits just 8 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and showcases a perfect blend of modern design, sustainable thinking, and environmental resilience. Constructed from 31 repurposed shipping containers, it remains one of the most iconic and influential shipping container homes in Queensland. Read More »Graceville Container Home | Sustainable Shipping Container House in Brisbane

    The Cronulla 2 Storey Shipping Container Home, Sydney, Australia.

    Cronulla 2 Storey Shipping Container Home | Sustainable Living in Sydney

      In the coastal suburb of Cronulla, Sydney, a remarkable sustainable shipping container home Australia project demonstrates the innovative potential of repurposed materials in contemporary residential architecture. This striking 2 storey shipping container home in Australia combines eleven shipping containers—eight 20-foot and three 40-foot units—to create a spacious family residence that balances aesthetic appeal with environmental consciousness. The eco-friendly container home exemplifies how industrial materials can be transformed into sophisticated living spaces while reducing construction waste and environmental impact.Read More »Cronulla 2 Storey Shipping Container Home | Sustainable Living in Sydney

      The Atlanta Shipping Container House 2.0 USA.

      Atlanta Shipping Container House 2.0 | Sustainable Living in Georgia

        Atlanta Shipping Container House 2.0: A Modern Sustainable Home -Urban Innovation with Recycled Materials. Architect Francis Kirkpatrick and engineer George Runkle designed the Atlanta Shipping Container House 2.0 to challenge conventional urban housing norms. Built on narrow infill lots in Atlanta, Georgia, these homes reuse standard shipping containers to create bold, efficient, and eco-friendly residences. As interest in green architecture continues to grow, these homes demonstrate how sustainable living can thrive—even in dense city environments.

        Read More »Atlanta Shipping Container House 2.0 | Sustainable Living in Georgia

        The Kansas City Shipping Container Home

        Glassberg Container House: Innovative Shipping Container Home in Kansas City, Missouri

          Transforming Industrial Materials into Sustainable Living. Debbie Glassberg, founder of Home Contained, partnered with BNIM Architects to design a groundbreaking shipping container home in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri. Known as the Debbie Glassberg container house, this project showcases the potential of sustainable container architecture. Built from five modified shipping containers, the 2,600-square-foot residence represents one of the most iconic examples of a shipping container home in Missouri.

          Glassberg aimed to demonstrate that a Kansas City container home could be both eco-friendly and comfortable. Her vision included creating a prototype that would serve not only as a private residence but also as a model for future sustainable housing developments.

          Read More »Glassberg Container House: Innovative Shipping Container Home in Kansas City, Missouri