Page 65 - ArchDC_Spring 2021
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Rear of the house.


                       with cabinets fabricated from recycled materials and   modernism.” Price has completed four container
                       stainless steel countertops and backsplash, completes   projects with four more currently under construction
                       the open-plan design.                           and has designed 25 more that are in various stages
                          An open stair in glass, steel, and wood leads down   of development. He says that container homes can
                       to the basement and up to the second floor and its three   be up to 20 or 25 percent less expensive to build than
                       bedrooms. In all, the home contains five bedrooms,   conventional customized homes. But he is quick to
                       three full baths, and one half bath. A conventionally   point out that beyond the inexpensive steel structure,
                       built garage is attached to the house and a door on   all the other costs of electricity, plumbing, insulation,
                       the second floor provides access to what will become   etc., remain the same as in traditional construction.
                       a rooftop vegetable garden, well out of reach of the   “The real challenge for us as architects is an affordably
                       neighborhood’s foraging deer and rabbits.       beautiful project that meets codes, budgets, and has
                          Price is messianic when extolling the virtues   enduring aesthetics.”
                       of shipping-container homes. “They are durable,      Still, his clients appear to have happily settled into
                       repurposed, fast to build, and less expensive.” But   container living. “It’s the kind of modern design we are
                       beyond such pragmatic advantages, the architect sees   very comfortable with,” said the homeowner. Even the
                       something more. “It is architecture that represents   neighbors are welcoming the newest addition to their
                       a true revolution in the way we live. It is a house   suburban setting. Seeing a stranger gazing intently
                       wrapped in watertight metal cocoon on the outside   at the new container home, one passerby called out
                       with the warmth of wood on the inside. It is affordable   appreciatively, “Isn’t it a knockout!”



                                                                       THE HUMBLE SHIPPING CONTAINER              63
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