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Man uses 11 shipping containers to build dream home – take a look inside
You can’t “box” this guy in.
Cedric Jackson
11.04.19

The housing crisis and economic downturn changed the way people think about homes. Everyone knows that not a lot of millennials have money, so it’s not surprising they’re looking for new ideas. Combine that with their love of minimalism, and you’ll understand why they want to think outside the box.

One man in Houston really pushed the envelope.

He built himself his dream home with 2,500 square feet. Oh, and it just happens to be made out of 11 shipping containers.

Will Breaux had a very specific vision for his future home after a lot of research.

McGowen Container House
Source:
McGowen Container House

“I began looking at projects that were being built that I liked,” said Breaux.

“Ultimately, a designer with a home builder family was hired to design a 3-story townhouse to be built on the lot. After going round and round for months, I eventually had to fire that group because they weren’t willing to give me what I wanted. Thus, the journey to design my own house began around 2011.”

McGowen Container House
Source:
McGowen Container House

He came across the idea of using shipping containers.

It might sound crazy but his reasoning is actually sound.

“Shipping containers are strong, fireproof, long-lasting, hurricane resistant, and have common characteristics,” said Breaux.

Believe it or not, Breaux is not the only one who thought of this idea. But he’d been mulling it over for many years. Now, he says his three-story house is the biggest of its kind.

McGowen Container House
Source:
McGowen Container House

Once he decided to build his house, Breaux was stumped.

He wasn’t a contractor or construction worker. Although he had no history of building houses, he did have design experience.

He started out with a basic idea, then expanded it to a 3D sketch. He did an enormous amount of research. Then he bought a single container, completing small-scale construction before tackling the real thing.

McGowen Container House
Source:
McGowen Container House

He also, of course, had to enlist help and undergo many inspections.

Even though he’d be living there, Breaux still had to make sure everything was up to code.

Now, Breaux’s home is complete. He designed, built, and furnished it. It’s 100 percent his creation, and it’s exactly what he dreamed of

“I had the idea and knew roughly what I wanted it to look like,” said Breaux. “I used 3D to make it a reality. It is very non-traditional, not only the home but the construction itself. It’s been a labor of love.”

McGowen Container House
Source:
McGowen Container House

It’s been close to two decades from conception to completion.

Now, he at last has his home. It was a long and difficult journey.

“This is 11 containers for a single-family structure,” said Breaux. “It’s the most extensive container structure we’re aware of.”

McGowen Container House
Source:
McGowen Container House

The home is furnished in an eclectic style. It even has a two-car garage and a deck on the roof. You could say its interior is as creative as its exterior. And you can also definitely say Breaux thinks outside the “box,” so to speak.

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