A Modern Container Home Blended Into A Cozy Suburban Plot

A house made out of recycled shipping containers doesn’t really seem like the type to blend in well into a suburban area from New Jersey and yet that’s exactly the case here. This is a container home designed and built by architect Adam Kalkin back in 2008. He used a total of nine 40 foot long containers which were organized into two wings connected by a courtyard and a bridge on the second floor. Large windows, glass walls and numerous skylights allow natural light to enter the spaces and panoramic views to be admired.

The house is organized into two separate wings connected by a bridge and a large courtyard
The house is organized into two separate wings connected by a bridge and a large courtyard
One of the volumes embraces the sloping terrain, maintaining a symmetrical look
One of the volumes embraces the sloping terrain, maintaining a symmetrical look
The wings share a long terrace which comes in the continuation of the central bridge structure
The wings share a long terrace which comes in the continuation of the central bridge structure
The primary living spaces occupy the ground floor of the West wing and feature large windows
The primary living spaces occupy the ground floor of the West wing and feature large windows

The West wing contains the primary living spaces which occupy the ground floor and three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the upper floor. The kitchen opens onto the living room, featuring a large stainless steel countertop island. The East wing is smaller due to the sloping terrain and was designed to serve as an entertainment volume. It houses two offices, one of which can double as a guest bedroom. The fact that this container house blends so well into its natural surroundings is a bit surprising but in a very positive sense. the corrugated steel facade plays an important role in this sense.

A cozy breakfast nook with banquet seating completes the social area and occupies its own little section of the floor plan
A cozy breakfast nook with banquet seating completes the social area and occupies its own little section of the floor plan
The interior design is not at all what you'd expect from a container home, featuring very few industrial-looking elements
The interior design is not at all what you’d expect from a container home, featuring very few industrial-looking elements
The interior space is maximized and optimized, featuring a series of multifunctional areas
The interior space is maximized and optimized, featuring a series of multifunctional areas
The entire house is a harmonious mix of industrial and modern elements which complement each other
The entire house is a harmonious mix of industrial and modern elements which complement each other
Wooden floors, warm, neutral colors and layered textures and patterns balance the cold nature of the corrugated steel facade
Wooden floors, warm, neutral colors and layered textures and patterns balance the cold nature of the corrugated steel facade
Although small, this office has a lot of character and direct access outdoors
Although small, this office has a lot of character and direct access outdoors
The kitchen has its own door which leads directly outside while also letting in lots of natural light
The kitchen has its own door which leads directly outside while also letting in lots of natural light
This house is very welcoming and charming even though its shipping container structure may suggest a modest and rugged look
This house is very welcoming and charming even though its shipping container structure may suggest a modest and rugged look
A glass walk-in shower and a skylight prevent this bathroom from looking tiny and cluttered
A glass walk-in shower and a skylight prevent this bathroom from looking tiny and cluttered
The master bathroom is even more impressive, featuring full-height windows and a very airy and bright interior
The master bathroom is even more impressive, featuring full-height windows and a very airy and bright interior