Container houses in Quebec

Have you ever heard of container houses? Far from appealing and appropriate for everyone, these houses require a certain ingenuity of design to transform a maritime transport tool into a real living space.

For several years now, container houses have been making an appearance in the Quebec architectural sector. Although not very common, some architects and contractors have dared to take the plunge. The result? The construction of various buildings, ranging from tiny houses of just a hundred square feet to beautiful and large contemporary homes.

Want to know more? Here are some important facts about this type of home, as well as a few examples from Quebec.

What is a container house?

The principle behind container houses is simple: real containers from ships are 'recycled' and transformed into living spaces. These imposing metal containers can then be used and juxtaposed in several different ways to create various original structures with a typically industrial and contemporary style.

The inner walls of the container can either be made more or less visible, depending on your desired design. Similarly, its exterior walls can be exposed, painted or covered with other materials to completely change the structure's appearance.

The advantages of container houses

Although they are not the norm when it comes to construction, container houses offer some interesting advantages:

• The use of containers makes homes highly versatile. They can therefore be adapted to a variety of sizes, heights and styles.
• They can be cost-effective to build, depending on the number of containers required and your preferred method of construction. However, remember to add the cost of land, labor and materials, etc. to the equation.
• This type of housing is associated with ecological initiatives. In addition to reusing an already existing container, most projects promote green roofs, reducing your carbon footprint, etc.
• Unlike other alternative dwellings (e.g., tiny houses, ADUs), container houses generally pose fewer problems in terms of compliance with urban planning regulations in cities.

Disadvantages of Container Houses

However, just as with any type of building, container houses also have several drawbacks:

• The building process, which is often presented as being straightforward, is more complex than it seems.
• Adequate insulation can be difficult to achieve, especially in a northern climate such as that of Quebec. The metal of the container does not retain heat, with such houses thus requiring the use of additional insulation techniques.
• Its ecological credentials are also not without their shortcomings, as while metal can be recycled endlessly, the addition of other materials can create just as much (or even more) waste than a standard house.
• It is no sturdier than a wood-frame house.
• Some containers may have been used to contain toxic products, and it can be difficult to know whether or not this is the case.

5 Models of Container Houses in Quebec

Now that you know a little more about container houses, it's time to explore some of the designs available. Although there are not many of them in Quebec, we have nevertheless found some interesting models.

1. The Fibonacci Residence

Located in: Saint-Donat

Architect: Pierre Morency Architecte

This container house has been cleverly designed in accordance with the Fibonacci sequence. The five shipping containers used are elevated by pilings, allowing the residence to minimize its impact on the surrounding site. It is also completely self-sufficient in terms of energy.

The three containers in the centre house the common living spaces, while the two side containers house the private areas.

2. The Container House

Architect: Evolution Architecture

Designer: Symbiose Design

This is Evolution Architecture's first container house project. Brilliantly executed, the structure utilizes four containers to give a total living area of 1280 square feet. Interestingly, another container was also used to build the pool.

3. The Interlocking House

Architect: Bernard Morin

This large-scale project, built on a rugged site, was constructed using seven 20-foot containers interlocked with one another. Rather unconventionally, the building features several different structures, including a large black sloped 'roof'.

4. The Container Unit

Developer: Highcube

Moving beyond the simple container house, Highcube has developed numerous designs that involve the use of containers. The company offers container units that can be added to an already existing building, while it also offers various types of single-family and big-generation home models, shelters for hunting and fishing, and other commercial and industrial structures.

5. La Carapace M

Developer: Ma Carapace

Constructed with a maximum of three containers, this ready-made house combines both contemporary and industrial aspects. Its exterior wood cladding covers the metal structure, while also being visible in certain areas inside. A great model to explore!

Have these houses inspired you to change your decor? Contact a real estate broker in your area to discuss your real estate purchase or sale project. As experts in their field, these individuals are familiar with all the subtleties of the sector and will know how to find you that special gem on the market.

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