http://ecoble.disqus.com/Sustainable Innovation, Green Technology, and Clean Politics - Stuff for the Savvy Green Consumer, Reader and ThinkerenTue, 08 Sep 2009 01:00:15 -0000http://ecoble.com/2008/12/21/even-more-creative-shipping-container-houses/#comment-16168971We are looking for info on getting building permits for building a container home in California .. Any help would be greatly appreciated.....craighopkinsTue, 08 Sep 2009 01:00:15 -0000http://ecoble.com/2008/12/21/even-more-creative-shipping-container-houses/#comment-9764727Wow these surely are unique. Even though they look small outside, you can actually fit a lot of stuff whenever you decide to move in to one.Ace122Thu, 21 May 2009 18:17:46 -0000http://ecoble.com/2008/12/21/even-more-creative-shipping-container-houses/#comment-4604437My company is a small structural engineering firm, and right now we're working with a home designer on two shipping container houses, one in Louisiana and one in Texas. We're also working on an "off the shelf" design that we can sell to people. We are also working with three potential clients who are in the funding stages of projects they want to build. There are problems with shipping container houses, some of which aren't serious, others are:<br>- There isn't any really good references on how to design with these, in particular I've had a hard time getting information on the basic structural design of them. Most of my information is from field measurements of many containers at a large container yard.<br>- There really hasn't been a large number of buildings built with these, so there isn't a good body of knowledge on standard details, pricing per square foot and other odds and ends that come only with experience.<br>- You have to choose the neighborhood you build a container house in very carefully so you don't get resistance from the neighbors or permitting authorities.<br>- Of course there is a glut of houses on the market right now, so can you really build a new house out of shipping containers and hope to sell it for a reasonable price?<br>- Finally, one of my potential projects died because the bank wouldn't loan for a building made of these. Right now banks are looking for reasons not to lend money they are so scared.<br><br>We have designed one container house that was built in Atlanta, GA. Here's the link: <a href="http://www.runkleconsulting.com/Container%2520House/Shipping%2520Container%2520House.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.runkleconsulting.com/Container%20Hou...</a>. As more are built I'll update my website.George RunkleWed, 24 Dec 2008 01:53:16 -0000