From Ocean Voyage to Backyard Guest House
You may have read recently about a recent trend towards transforming old shipping containers into backyard sheds and guest rooms. We recently completed just such a project for our good friend and client, Nancy Ranchel.
1859 Magazine covered the story with a great slide show. Check it out an excerpt here:
Anne De Wolf’s Suggestions for Repurposing a Shipping Container
Access
Consider how to install the container on your property and factor that into the overall budget. Ranchel used a crane, which increased costs.
Insulation
Set insulation in only the deeper cavities of the container to save interior space. Insulated containers are also available to purchase.
To Plumb or Not?
Know how you want to use the space before adding plumbing. In Portland, says De Wolf, no additional permits are needed as long as you don’t plumb the container, and it’s 200-square-feet or less.
Electricty
Be okay with exposed conduits, as electrical outlets are hard to hide in the container’s shallow walls. Floor-mounted outlets can be a fun option.
Ventilation
De Wolf had a large opening cut into the side of the container, then installed sliding glass doors with metal fabricated screens. This allows Ranchel to control the amount of light, air and privacy.
Have Fun!
With such a small space, Ranchel and De Wolf got even more creative with their salvaged décor. Antique sprinkler heads became clothing hooks and an agricultural water trough is now a shower basin. Ranchel got to see more ideas from her notebook come to life.
Inside Arciform 