The challenge is to design a livable home out of standard industrial shipping containers. These intermodal freight containers have a standard size of 40 by 8 feet each, and are commonly 8 feet 6 inches or 9 feet 6 inches tall. They are typically made of corrugated weathering steel, and have simple ‘twistlock’ corners for easy stacking, locking, and craning. These containers are ideal for construction because they can be transported to a site in so many different ways. They can be shipped by rail, container ship, or semi-trailer truck. However, there are some drawbacks too. The containers are not insulated and do not provide protection against heat and cold on the inside. 

Advantages

1. Strength and durability: Shipping containers are in many ways an ideal building material. They are designed to carry heavy loads and to be stacked in high columns. They are also designed to resist harsh environments, such as on ocean-going vessels or sprayed with road salt while transported on roads. Due to their high strength, containers are useful for secure storage.

2. Modular: All shipping containers are made to standard measurements, and as such they provide modular elements that can be combined into larger structures. This simplifies design, planning and transport. As they are already designed to interlock for ease of mobility during transportation, structural construction is completed by simply emplacing them. Due to the containers' modular design, additional construction is as easy as stacking more containers. They can be stacked up to 12 high when empty.

3. Labor: The welding and cutting of steel is considered to be specialized labor and can increase construction expenses, yet overall it is still lower than conventional construction. Unlike wood frame construction, attachments must be welded or drilled to the outer skin, which is more time consuming and requires different job site equipment.

4. Transport: Pre-fabricated modules can also be easily transported by ship, truck or rail, because they already conform to standard shipping sizes.

5. Availability: Used shipping containers are available across the globe.

6. Expense: Many used containers are available at an amount that is low compared to a finished structure built by other labor-intensive means- such as bricks and mortar- which also require larger more expensive foundations. Construction involves very little labor and shipping containers requiring only simple modification.