About this project
With your help, I'm going to convert a shipping container into an off-grid home and write a book about it.
Off-grid meaning what?
By off-grid, I mean fully able to:
- Capture my own water
- Generate my own power
- Dispose of my own waste
- Grow (at least some of) my own food
Why a shipping container?
I think shipping containers look aesthetically pleasing, provide a strong- and cost-effective base for building upon, and travel easily. On the travel note: my design will collapse to within itself for easy portability.
Documented as in how?
Documented as in thoroughly:) I've read enough DIY books and Instructables to understand how frustrating it can be for makers to skim over small details: you never know what little element will be key to somebody improving on your project years later. To this end, I'm going to write a full, step-by-step book covering every element of the process as well as costs incurred. To fill in any detail that's still lacking, I'm going to use a helmet camera while completing the work and post the full video online.
How will I do it?
I've obtained a 20' shipping container, had it delivered to my backyard, and confirmed that it's small enough to keep code enforcement from stopping my project. For the last year, I've researched different options for making the subsystems I'll need. I'll reuse existing materials wherever practical, but I'll also provide full detail on how to use commercially-available alternatives. Including cost of the container and assuming you have minimal access to low-cost / recycled materials, you will be able to build your own for less than $20,000.
FAQ
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I'm going to make the full video available as I go, literally day-to-day. Step-by-step instructions will be posted on a per-section basis as they're completed. For example, 3 of the first sections will be:
1. Obtaining a shipping container, cheaply and quickly
2. Building a minimalist 4-pier foundation for your container
3. Refinishing your shipping container's wood floor -
In past projects I've completed, I've found way better ideas than I had posted by others after I completed the project. I'm sure that will happen with the container conversion as well, and I'll integrate these along with discussion of other options into the book.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on July 8, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
Ebook and full video of the conversion process, with each section available as I go.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
Printed book signed by me upon project completion. Also ebook and full video.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
An hour consultation by phone with me about your container or any other sustainability project. Also, ebook, video, and signed printed book.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
A half-day visit to my project site in Austin, Texas (y'all get yourselves here). Includes snacks, ebook, video, and signed printed book.
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
I will visit your site, within the continental u.s., at my own expense and spend a weekend helping you with your sustainability project. Includes ebook, video, and signed printed book.
Project By
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I make things, and I particularly like building stuff related to sustainability. My 2 most interesting projects thus far have been Garduino, an Arduino-powered garden, and my fleet of 25 pedicabs. I've also fixed up a house that by all logic should have been torn down and written a book about my global wanderings.
