11 shipping containers were used to build this eco-friendly home
A house in Washington built from 11 used shipping containers in the eco-friendly Pacific Northwest style went on the market for $ 2 million.
Built in 2015 by designer and owner Edward Merced, the 4074-square-foot home in Vancouver, Washington, once featured on HGTV’s “Container Homes” for its unique design. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s way of integrating architecture into the environment, Merced outlined his vision and brought it to life through recycled materials and shipping containers that he had access to through his job in the import business.
The containers are stacked and turned into a main wooden structure to create different rooms and separate wings – the master bedroom is what the owner calls a “tree house”. A yellow-painted upper container with round windows served the children as a space for home lessons. Two containers form a separate unit that can be used as a guest house. Wright’s vision was to build a sunken living room around a koi pond so that aquarium-style windows look out into the pond.
“It’s one of those properties that you have to see to appreciate,” Louise James, the RE / MAX Equity Group representative who represents the property, told Inman. “When you walk in, it’s so luxurious that you wouldn’t think at first glance. You imagine containers as people who store things and transport them all over the world. To actually live in a luxury home [made of ] That’s incredible.”
A house in Washington built from 11 used shipping containers in the eco-friendly Pacific Northwest style is on the market for $ 2 million.
Built in 2015 by designer and owner Edward Merced, the 4074-square-foot home in Vancouver, Washington, once featured on HGTV’s Container Homes “for its unique design.
Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s way of integrating architecture into the environment, Merced outlined his vision and brought it to life through recycled materials and shipping containers that he had access to through his job in the import business.
“It’s one of those properties that you have to see to appreciate,” Louise James, the RE / MAX Equity Group representative who represents the property, told Inman. “When you walk in, it’s so luxurious that you wouldn’t think it at first. You imagine containers as people who store things and transport them all over the world. Actually living in a luxury home [made of ] That’s incredible.”
Merced built the house for his wife and three daughters and brought the unique theme into the house too – collected artifacts, fun wallpaper, a wall of wine bottles, hand-chiseled stone sinks, and tile roofs in the kitchen also give the interior an artistic feel.
James told Inman that the home represents the kind of push for alternative, greener building materials that many home buyers are looking for.
Since she added the house to the list earlier this spring, several clients have expressed an interest in having something similar built for them – an opportunity Merced is currently exploring as either a designer or a consultant.
“All shipping containers are so environmentally friendly that if you look closely they still have their original numbers,” said James. “[…] We’ve had so many people interested in this unique type of design that there will definitely be talk of building more for others in the future. “
Merced built the house for his wife and three daughters and brought the unique theme into the house too – collected artifacts, fun wallpaper, a wall of wine bottles, hand-chiseled stone sinks, and tile roofs in the kitchen also give the interior an artistic feel. While the design was an extension of his family’s personality, selling the property is a way to downsize and start a new chapter in their life.
James told Inman that the home represents the kind of push for alternative, greener building materials that many home buyers are looking for. Since she added the house to the list earlier this spring, several clients have expressed an interest in having something similar built for them – an opportunity Merced is currently exploring as either a designer or a consultant.
“All shipping containers are so environmentally friendly that if you look closely they still have their original numbers,” said James. “We have had so many people interested in this unique type of design that there will definitely be talk of building more for others in the future.”
Email to Veronika Bondarenko