Phase 1: Proof of Concept (PoC)

Phase 1 goals include: building and renting a pair of single and double container homes to (1) confirm the efficacy of shipping containers as affordable housing with various size families, (2) understand the construction costs, build time, and potential opportunities for savings through economies of scale, (3) evaluate design and layout ideas and finalize Phase 2 designs, and (4) study the viability of a self-sustaining model as opposed to requiring donations to subside rents.

Phase 1a: "Crawling." In Phase 1a, we design a relatively simple 300 sqft 1BR/1Bath single container floorplan with minimal steel cuts and build it at a convenient location offsite. The finished container is placed on the property via "drag and drop." We load it on an 18 wheeler which carries it to the waiting lot where it's met by a crane that places the container on the previously poured piers. Electricity, plumbing, and HVAC are connected, and there is little other on-site assembly.

Phase 1b: "Walking." In the second part of Phase 1, We build a more complex, 600sqft 2BR/1Bath two container home. Construction of the second home will be more complicated as it will be built in two pieces which are assembled together when installed at the lot. The joining of the two containers also requires water-tight seals where they come together.

Part of the agreement with the initial renters of the Phase 1a and 1b units will be to help us "shake out" the problems and to provide feedback for design refinements.