Across Australia, affordable housing is increasingly difficult to find. This pressing issue is discussed almost daily in the media and is affecting most major cities. Brisbane is one of these cities.

As one online source outlines since 2020, Brisbane apartment rents have risen by 23 per cent and house rents have risen by 33 per cent. In remote areas, these figures are even higher.

These ongoing increases in rental costs paired with rising building costs and a lack of available properties are causing immeasurable distress to renters.

So what is the solution? While there is no easy fix to this issue long-term, one option which could ease the pressure in the short term is to use modified shipping containers as alternative housing.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the benefits of shipping container homes, existing successful shipping container home projects in Brisbane and more.

The Benefits Of Shipping Container Homes

Sure, a shipping container may not seem like the most obvious solution to Brisbane’s housing crisis at first glance, but there is much to recommend it.

Affordability

Shipping container homes when compared to traditional homes in Brisbane can work out to be much more affordable. This is particularly true for anyone seeking a tiny home that can be easily relocated.

One architectural publication estimated in 2020 that a large house built from shipping containers fully fitted out can range in price from $150,000 to $175,000, which is about half the price per square foot of a conventional home.

Of course, permits, site cost, site preparation and other costs must also be taken into account. Despite this, shipping container homes can still work out to be the cheaper option.

Sustainability

One of the most overlooked benefits of using converted shipping containers for housing is the sustainability factor. Repurposing shipping containers is much more environmentally sustainable than disposing of them or manufacturing building materials to build a new home with.

Versatility

Thanks to their strength and structural integrity shipping container homes allow for exceptional creativity in terms of design and customisation.

You can stack them, join them, cut them, add windows, skylights, flooring, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical and more. They’re so much more than a big steel box!

Existing Shipping Container Home Projects

The ZieglerBuilds Shipping Container Home in Brisbane is a leading example of how a simple shipping container can be used to create functional and eye-catching homes.

While this project used a total of 31 containers to create a 4 bedroom/4 bathroom residence, it is entirely possible to use far fewer containers and enjoy a beautiful outcome.

The Modhouse Shipping Container Home in Wattle Bank, Victoria demonstrates this perfectly. Using just three 20-foot containers a total of 530 square feet of living has been created.

While these are examples from both ends of the spectrum – large to small, shipping containers offer exceptional flexibility when it comes to building.

Due to the easy nature of these blank slate building blocks to be placed and modified, they also allow for faster build times, which is critical in a housing crisis.

Overcoming Challenges of Shipping Container Homes

There are several misconceptions or concerns linked with using shipping containers to build homes which have seen them overlooked for too long.

Contrary to what you may believe, container homes are incredibly safe. Due to the incredible strength offered by their steel construction, containers deliver outstanding structural integrity.

They’re often also perceived as being cold and difficult to work with. However, with a professional builder and architect on board and by using the appropriate materials, these can be overcome too.

By ensuring proper insulation, implementing considered modifications and careful construction, your container home can deliver all the same comforts as a traditional build.

The Future of Affordable Housing in Brisbane

At Shipping Containers Brisbane, we genuinely believe that shipping container homes have the potential to become part of the solution to the affordable housing crisis in Brisbane.

In Copenhagen in Denmark, a container home village has successfully helped resolve a student housing crisis and contributed to more affordable housing overall. So it stands to reason other major cities in Australia and globally could achieve the same.

Not only would adopting this approach create much-needed housing in Brisbane, but it also helps to create new communities and supports a more sustainable future.

To learn more about the versatility that container modifications offer and how they can be used towards more affordable housing, contact Shipping Containers Brisbane.

With a range of container types and sizes for rent or for sale and a team of talented designers and builders available, creating your dream container home is made easy with us.

Call our friendly and experienced team today at (07) 3185 2170.