Design 5 Seventy-One: Contained.

In the world of design it's common to think outside the box. Designers, Architects and Builders are constantly pushing the limit and pushing against the norm.

Start with the building of a home, from the ground up it involves a ton of moving pieces and sometimes it's hard to imagine how everything will come together and if it will ever come together, until you see it done. It takes thinking outside of the box. It takes imagination. And, in this case, with what we're inspired by today, it takes thinking about the INSIDE of a box. A special box.

The Shipping Container.

In 1956 Malcom McLean, an American trucking businessman was thinking outside the box when he created the first metal shipping container which revolutionized transport and international trade. By 1970 the container, made of Corten steel, was a common sight on cargo boats. Malcom McLean, who was often called "The Father Of Containerization", was named Man of The Century by the International Maritime Hall of Fame.

What would Father think of us now? Blending design, architecture and home building with his livelihood, shipping containers. Have we all gone crazy?

Shipping Container Homes became a reality around 2006 when architect Peter DeMaria took a year long sabbatical to research alternative building materials that would add value to his projects, but reduce costs. Peter built one of the nations first container homes and the idea has not taken a backseat (lower deck?) since.

We've found ourselves inspired by in the ingenuity, the sustainability and the beauty behind these structures. They are finished minimally or lavishly and often come in well under the cost of a brick and mortar or wood counterpart. These homes will never rust, corrode, are mold resistant and designed to stand their ground in typhoons, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. It's a great example of how the imagination of a few can turn in to opportunity for many. From homes to offices to cafes to pop up stores, here is what you can find today, across the globe:

This is one of the first container homes to be built in the US.

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Airy, wouldn't you say?

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We are loving the Mid Century Modern feel of this one.

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This one leaves nothing to be desired. We love the juxtaposition of the modern container home next to the, seemingly, traditional brick and mortar structure.