Couple's Container House Renovation

It is feasible for couples to renovate container houses, and several couples have successfully done so. Here is an introduction to relevant experiences from different aspects:

Preliminary Planning and Design

• Clarify needs and budget: For example, the fourth couple bought two used containers at a very low price and determined the renovation scale based on their financial situation and living needs. If the budget is limited, used containers can be chosen; if a certain level of quality is desired, relatively new containers can also be purchased.
• Draw detailed blueprints: The second couple quit their high-paying jobs in the city and spent several months drawing construction blueprints. Detailed blueprints can ensure an orderly renovation process, including the placement of containers, internal space layout, and water and electricity line planning, to avoid rework later.

Space Utilization and Renovation

• Expand internal space: The second couple placed the containers a certain distance apart, built a floor structure with wooden planks in the gap, and fixed wooden frames on both sides to raise the roof, effectively increasing the usable area of the house.
• Reasonably arrange functional areas: Different couples have different layout methods. The first couple renovated it into a four-bedroom, two-living-room house with a spacious living room and kitchen; the third couple, a New Zealand couple, had no foyer at the entrance of their container house, with the kitchen connected to a bar counter, the living room filled with books, and the bathroom divided into three separate areas, arranging functional areas according to their living habits.
• Utilize deformable structures: One of the containers of the fourth couple can be fully unfolded on the side, forming a hydraulic deck area through an electric hydraulic system; the furniture in Container No. 1 can be stored in the wall, and a double bed can be added by lowering the bed board, greatly improving space utilization.

Energy and Safety Guarantee

• Solve energy problems: The first couple installed ten solar panels to solve the electricity problem; the male owner of the third couple, a New Zealand couple, tinkered with a solar system himself for water and electricity use and car charging. Using clean energy such as solar power is both environmentally friendly and can meet daily electricity needs.
• Ensure house safety: The first couple built a sturdy foundation to prevent the containers from being blown away by typhoons. During the renovation process, attention should be paid to the structural safety of the house, and corresponding protective measures should be taken according to local climate and geographical conditions.