Inspired by "container houses"

[LimpTheGimp]

I came across container houses and got inspired to start sketching and thinking. I have a fairly large area next to a rock and a slope, where I am considering setting up this project.

Edit: By containers, I mean steel containers.

I need suggestions on thoughts and ideas, and preferably some words from someone who has built similar

Step 1. Excavate and drain, and fill up with gravel and compact it. Unfortunately, it's quite marshy here today.

Step 2. Lift in 3 x 40-foot containers and weld them together.

Step 3. Remove about 1/3 to make a parking space here. How much can the load-bearing walls support here? I'm considering not cutting the "hole" all the way up and leaving part of the wall as load-bearing, and maybe also welding a steel beam supported by a vertical wooden post by the wall on the right? Feel free to suggest construction ideas

Step 4. Fill the gap between the rock and the container with gravel, and then soil on top. Same thing on the "backside" where the slope is marked. Then have a green roof on this. Partly because it's nice and partly because it's "free" insulation. How should one do this? I'm thinking of waterproofing it and being very careful when filling this so the waterproofing stays intact. This should not allow moisture to reach the containers, right?

Step 5. Insulate the gable on the left in the picture. Haven't decided if I want it open or with a door for bicycles there. This is not covered by soil. I'm thinking of a wooden or masonry façade. What is easier and better, insulating from the inside or outside?

Step 6. Install garage door, doors, and decorate

How would you think and do it? What building permit should one apply for to build this? Living far out in the woods, no problem with neighbors and such.

See attached sketch of how I envision it.

 

[Rabbithole]

There's a thread here on the forum about a construction project. The conclusion was that it turned out cool, but would have been quicker, simpler, and cheaper to build in wood.

 

[LimpTheGimp]

There is a thread here on the forum about a build. The conclusion was that it turned out cool, but it would have been faster, easier, and cheaper to build with wood

What is the thread called? The original idea was to avoid laying a slab. The containers cost about 60k. I can handle the digging almost cost-free, and I can get gravel for about 10k. So in total, with the containers in place, I'm estimating about 100k. Is that unreasonable? Of course, ongoing costs will be added, but mostly I feel it's about work with the angle grinder and welding once it's in place.

Then I think the containers are so stable that it won't be a problem to put soil over them and similar things. Building this in wood is possible, of course, but it almost feels better with containers?

 

[Dan_Johansson]

Sounds like a fun project! What I saw here on BH was a residential building that also turned out quite "over the top" ..

It might have been easier to take two "large" containers and a shorter one, and place them in a U shape, then lay a beam over them, so you avoid cutting, as I think it creates quite a lot of extra work with reinforcing the opening ..

Platon mat is probably excellent to lay on top too?

 

[Guson]

What is the name of the thread?

https://www.byggahus.se/forum/threads/jag-har-byggt-ett-containerhus-fran-grand-designs.309555/

 

[toolman77]

https://www.byggahus.se/forum/threads/jag-har-byggt-ett-containerhus-fran-grand-designs.309555/

 

[LimpTheGimp]

[link]

That was the thread I saw, but this is quite far from the project I'm envisioning. My idea is more of an earth cellar/hobbit hole that should become a garage and mancave. That is something completely different - and insanely cool.

 

[LimpTheGimp]

It might have been easier to take two "large" containers, and a shorter one, and place them like a U, then lay a beam over them, so you avoid cutting out, I think it creates quite a bit of extra work to reinforce the opening ..

I doubt if it actually affects strength that much. The standard height is closer to 260. If you make the "hole" for the car about 4 meters wide and 210 high, there's still 50 cm of wall left. On all containers. This half-meter "wall area up to the ceiling" should handle a lot of weight as it is, right? In my opinion, it feels almost overkill, but if you then weld a beam between the walls here, supported at both ends.... Like having two portals with a transverse iron beam and probably wood on the sides. It feels like this should be enough to support half a meter of soil and any snow...? Anyone skilled in physics with a calculator at hand is welcome to chime in.

Edit: I'm thinking that once the holes are cut and a beam is welded between (or perhaps underneath), you would have two steel beams with a 50 cm height. Corrugated sheet metal x2 is about 20 cm thick? A "ventilated" steel beam of 20x50 cm should handle practically anything...?

 

[Dan_Johansson]

I am doubtful whether it actually significantly compromises structural integrity. The standard is closer to 260 in ceiling height. If you make the "hole" for the car about 4 meters wide and 210 high, then 50 cm of the wall remains. On all containers. This half meter "wall surface up to the ceiling" should be able to handle a lot of weight just as it is? In my world, it almost feels like overkill, but if you then also weld a beam between the walls that is supported at both ends... So basically two portals with a transverse iron beam and probably wood on the sides. It feels like it must surely be enough to support half a meter of earth and potential snow on top...? Someone who is good at physics and has a calculator at hand is welcome to chime in.

I think it might be unnecessary to buy a lot of steel, which you just cut away... If we consider that 60k is three containers, and it can be done with two, then you have 20k to spend on other things, like beams over the roof between the containers...

What is your focus by the way, mancave (like drinking whiskey and playing VirtuaGolf in the home theater room), or are you the type who likes to tinker in the garage?

 

[LimpTheGimp]

I think it might be unnecessary to buy a lot of steel, which you just end up cutting off... If we imagine that 60k is three containers, and it can be done with two, then you have 20k to spend on other things, like beams over the roof between the containers...

What is your focus by the way, mancave (like drinking whisky and playing VirtuaGolf in the home theater room), or are you the type who likes to tinker in the garage?

You're thinking two containers and kind of placing a roof truss between them to have a garage/carport in the middle? That would require more concrete/more groundwork. It would also be tougher to get the earth over these?

The steel that is cut off (which would theoretically be like 4 corrugated sheets of 4x2.1 meters - but not in reality since it would be a pain to lift them off ) can also be used to build the wall for the rooms in the sketch. Meaning the left wall of the garage in the sketch. The rest can be sold or used for something else. I don't see that as a problem.

I want a nook to be able to tinker with a bike or possibly a car in the winter, or just somewhere to be creative with my hands and build/create. Practically, we also need storage and a guest room. I have a bit of a commute to work but will soon have fiber and will then be able to work more from home. Being able to close myself off and have this as an office would be fantastic. So the room's function as a guest room and office is golden.

 

[Dan_Johansson]

You mean two containers and kind of place a roof truss between them and have a garage/carport in the middle? That would require more concrete/more ground work. It would also be tougher to get the soil over these?

The steel that is cut away (which would theoretically be 4 corrugated sheets of 4x2.1 meters - but in reality, it becomes a hell to lift them off ) can also be used to build the wall for the rooms as shown in the sketch. So, the left wall of the garage in the sketch. The rest can be sold or used for something else. I don't see that as a problem.

I want a nook to be able to fix motorcycles or possibly cars during the winter, or just somewhere to be creative with my hands and build/create. Practically, we also need storage space and a guest room. I have quite a commute to work but will soon get fiber and then be able to work from home more. Being able to shut myself in and have this as an office would be fantastic. So, the room's function as a guest room and office is golden.

Yes, kind of like that... The floor can initially be gravel, and there is the possibility to dig out and pour a floor if necessary... Maybe it's just me who is thrilled about having a hobbit garage... (difficult when you have 800 sqm plot consisting of 90% rock, in the middle of the city)...

 

[LimpTheGimp]

Yes, kind of like that .. The floor can initially be gravel, and there's the option to dig out and pour a floor, if necessary ... Maybe it's just me who gets excited about having a hobbit garage ... (difficult when you have 800 sqm of land consisting of 90% rock, in the middle of the city) ..

Well, but pouring a foundation for that area that will be here costs around 20-30k. Then walls need to be put up, insulated, and all that, as well as making a sturdy roof. A container costs about 20 and solves these problems. Three joined together seems easier to make a hobbit hole out of.

Yes, I've had the idea of blasting a garage into the rock that is "marked" in the sketch, but I don't think this will be possible, and it will probably be seriously expensive. But it's even cooler to have your man cave in a real cave.

 

[Dan_Johansson]

Well, but casting a foundation on the area that will be here ends up at 20-30k. Then walls must be set up and insulated and fixed between them, and a strong roof placed over. A container costs around 20 and solves these problems. Three joined together feel easier to make into a hobbit hole.

Yes, I've had the idea of blasting a garage into the rock that is "marked" in the sketch, but I don't think this will work, and it will probably be really expensive. But it is even cooler to have your man cave in a real cave.

My idea was more like digging out everything, and graveling the entire bottom surface. Then you park two parallel containers with a 4-5 meter distance between, and build a roof with I-beams and joists, and finish with sheet metal... Cover everything with a platon mat, build an inner wall at one end of the garage, and then earth on top of it all... Build an impressive wooden door for the garage.... Then when you're tired of gravel in the garage, you cast that area... In the two rooms, you already have the container floor!