The Guest House in a Container

Shipping containers are not one of the first places you would normally call homey. Yet, award winning Poteet Architects is best known for their creative reuse of existing building facilities, with a fresh touch of modern interior design. A client wished to experiment with shipping containers and the built project now lives just south of downtown San Antonio, Texas. We at the Think Tank find the result charming - the finished project is adapted to a guesthouse and is fitted with services as shower/WC and a stainless sink. The very broad steel and glass lift/slide together with the end wall-window open the whole interior to the landscape.
In the perspective of re-using unwanted materials, the emphasis was on sustainable strategies. The shipping container itself was originally "one-way" and has been adapted to a permanent use. Held off the container top, is a planted roof, which provides shade and air-flow to reduce heat gain. The roof is irrigated using the captured grey water from sink and bathroom. Surprisingly, the whole structure "floats" on a foundation of recycled telephone poles. Charming... and fascinating. Great to make an original guest house at the other side of the garden.
To read smart features of this guest house and see more images click here.

Image © Chris Cooper