Comments on: PREFAB FRIDAY: LOT-EK MDU Shipping Container House

By: RICHARD J WOODRUFF

RICHARD J WOODRUFF — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:50:11 +0000

I am interested in how to retrofit these containers into a house as you do .This is a great idea

By: David Curtis

David Curtis — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:34:52 +0000

We’re using containers here in Florida from http://www.container-creations.com and there is no heating or cooling problem with them – they’re insulated so that any AC units will use less energy than most other forms of standard construction. They’re pretty much indestructable and way over code. They can withstand hurricanes and (depending on the requirements) they’re naturally waterproof and even float – so if care is taken when adding doors in certain cases they’re good in flood-zones – imaging all your things stored in one not getting damaged by flood. A container specifically set up for a family as a part of their home emergency flooding plan for survival could provide a place to shelter. Properly anchored with a suitable anchor chain or cable underneath would allow the container to float while everything else is under water. A sealed ceiling escape hatch would allow for an emergency exit when helicopters arrive, and posessions sealed inside would be safe and dry.

By: brett humphrey

brett humphrey — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 06:47:42 +0000

just want to know what room is oposite the bedroom and what are the small thin rooms.where is the main door and is it made out of the shipping contanier door thanks .

By: barbara shaw

barbara shaw — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:32:21 +0000

i am very interested in seeing all your models, esp. ones with lots of glass and solar panels. could you email the pics. with price?

By: RD

RD — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:43:09 +0000

I checked out the stuff being done in Southern California and it looks like there is a lot of hype but only Demaria doing container projects. 3 of the projects are under construction and they have started a container based house company called LOGICAL homes. Saw an ad in Dwell magazine but the website is still a “sign up if you’re interested” page – bummer! With all the projects that are under construction, you have to believe that something is about to break.. Maybe for once and for all, someone has figured out how to do this container thing. The images of the completed project in Redondo Beach are impressive to say the least. It is a bold project but there is an understanding of scale and proportion relative to a residence. Only my opinion, but the Lotek modular dwelling unit looks too much like a funky trailer home. The exterior seems better suited for an electrical plant or some type of industrial setting. The interiors are nice but I think the work in California has attempted to “humanize” the container. If this doesn’t happen, I just don’t see anymore than a handful of container enthusiasts living in “souped up” metal boxes. All of this will unfold and be more informative once the other projects by Demaria are completed. I’m hoping that the Logical home stuff happens some time soon. I’m really excited about seeing what they have to offer. Also, I reviewed the Demaria website and a bunch of links, does anyone know anything else about Peter Demaria himself? His work is diverse and the containers appear to be one of many innovative ways that he sets himself apart from the Los Angeles architecture scene; any other info would be appreciated.

By: Leon Ingerson

Leon Ingerson — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:52:53 +0000

The idea appears to be brilliant, until you investigate the costs of construction. I thought the original idea was to be “green” and rid our shipping docks of unwanted containers that no-one wanted. In that manner, we would reuse a readily available resource, and help the shipping companies dispose of “trash”. Instead, it appears the industry will be lead by the shipping company bean counters that are seeing an opportunity to provide these containers as a supply and demand commodity. In other words, the new value of their trash has not been lost on them, and they are now trying to recoup the origianal cost of the containers. The designers and architects are leaning toward two-story, with elevator, skylights. roll-up door side walls and any manner of expensive options. Instead of helping the poor, we will find a way to create a form of “poverty chic”, as people build several-hundred thousand dollar ego houses and brag about how they are doing it for the environment. Come on…build one that the average man can buy as a turn-key home for 40 or 50K. Build a small inexpensive unit than be subsisdized in placed areas with natural disasters. Yes, New Orleans, but also earthquake, mud-slides, forest fires and the like to assist those that are truly in need. And by all means…use the USED containers. If you do not, then you are not cleaning up the original problem. If this were done properly and at a reasonable price, I would gladly live in a 2-3 unit home built out of these, but I would want it on a foundation. If is not the banks will not regard it as anything more than a manufactured home, and will not finance them.
The hot and cold seasonal issues could be solved by installing an insulation jacket in the summer to ward off the heat, and removing it in the winter to allow the sun to warm the metal. This would be especially beneficial in the northern Rocky Mountains, (where I would love to own mine)

By: Tien Bryan

Tien Bryan — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:21:07 +0000

Can these things be delivered worldwide?

By: Derek

Derek — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:11:12 +0000

Has anyone thought about putting solar panels on the roof and a latticework on the sides for viney foliage? That should fix some heat issues and turn the heat into something productive and more self-sustaining. Or, you can place deciduous trees around so that the leaves fall of in winter to allow light in for heat and leaves would come in summer for shade. And, I’d place the narrow end facing east, near the master bed of course!

Derek Clayton

By: t,sreenivas

t,sreenivas — Wed, 30 May 2007 07:58:18 +0000

quiet interesting, i living in india, do you have any associates in india , i want to know more about the product.

By: Mym

Mym — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:22:10 +0000

Are these available in Asia?

By: Denis

Denis — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:56:59 +0000

The containers, new cost $2600.00 for a 20 footer and $3600.00 for a 40 footer. These are insulated containers with about the same R value as most RVs. Global Portable Buildings, Inc http://www.globalportablebuildings.com/ takes new containers and builds them into new portable dwellings for a plug-in and play use. No foundation is required.

Denis

By: Garth

Garth — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:51:21 +0000

Very interesting project! I’d say they missed the boat here on one thing though. Why not put a green roof on it? It would help with the heat gain of this large metal box and should be relatively easy to accomplish. I don’t know how much Lot-Ek’s container house cost but you can buy a container for under $2000…

By: Graig Sterling

Graig Sterling — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:40:17 +0000

It is a very hip, exiting and intriguing architectural design by Lo-tek,the only problem is that when you go to their desynchronize website(no matter what i try their frame do not fit) the containers are not even featured (i can’t find them) also i cannot find the coast of these containers anywhere.Does anybody know the coast of the darn things
Also Richie posted a e-mail for the demaria design ,again we have the same problem.I saw what look like a great design using the container concept on that website called :Hollywood Hills but no prices,Ritchie if you know could tell us.
good luck to all.

By: susan mills

susan mills — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:59:43 +0000

A fantastic concept that has been around long before this company!!

Another company that has been doing this the late 90’s is Container City. They seem to have loads of experience and hace created some veryt funky designs.

For info their website is http://www.containercity.com

By: RaymaN

RaymaN — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 10:00:09 +0000

Great idea!