Architecture

HomeBox offers family living in a space no bigger than a standard freight container

HomeBox offers family living in a space no bigger than a standard freight container
German architectural studio Slawik has created a portable home that fits into the size of a standard shipping container
German architectural studio Slawik has created a portable home that fits into the size of a standard shipping container
View 22 Images
With a small base footprint of just 7 m2 (75 ft2), the HomeBox differentiates itself from traditional container homes by being positioned upright
1/22
With a small base footprint of just 7 m2 (75 ft2), the HomeBox differentiates itself from traditional container homes by being positioned upright
HomeBox is reminiscent of a small tower and requires significantly less space than regular compact homes
2/22
HomeBox is reminiscent of a small tower and requires significantly less space than regular compact homes
HomeBox2 by Slawik Architects
3/22
HomeBox2 by Slawik Architects
HomeBox has been designed so it can be easily transported to various locations for temporary or permanent use
4/22
HomeBox has been designed so it can be easily transported to various locations for temporary or permanent use
HomeBox2 by Slawik Architects
5/22
HomeBox2 by Slawik Architects
HomeBox is reminiscent of a small tower and requires significantly less space than regular compact homes
6/22
HomeBox is reminiscent of a small tower and requires significantly less space than regular compact homes
The compact home is spread across three levels, all of equal height
7/22
The compact home is spread across three levels, all of equal height
HomeBox has been designed so it can be easily transported to various locations for temporary or permanent use
8/22
HomeBox has been designed so it can be easily transported to various locations for temporary or permanent use
HomeBox interior wooden staircase
9/22
HomeBox interior wooden staircase
HomeBox features large open windows
10/22
HomeBox features large open windows
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the staircases and window shutters
11/22
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the staircases and window shutters
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the kitchen table and chairs
12/22
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the kitchen table and chairs
The ground level includes a kitchen and bathroom
13/22
The ground level includes a kitchen and bathroom
HomeBox inetrior passage by Slawik Architects
14/22
HomeBox inetrior passage by Slawik Architects
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the master bed
15/22
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the master bed
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
16/22
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
17/22
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
18/22
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
19/22
HomeBox by Slawik Architects
German architectural studio Slawik has created a portable home that fits into the size of a standard shipping container
20/22
German architectural studio Slawik has created a portable home that fits into the size of a standard shipping container
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the kitchen table, chairs, bed, staircases and window shutters
21/22
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the kitchen table, chairs, bed, staircases and window shutters
22/22
View gallery - 22 images

German architectural studio Slawik has created a portable home that fits into the size of a standard shipping container. Dubbed HomeBox, the multi-purpose home has been designed so it can be easily transported to various locations for temporary or permanent use. Due to its compact size and transportability the home can also double as emergency housing.

Though we've seen various homes made out of shipping containers (the Eco-Pak, Infiniski and Shipping Container House all spring to mind), the idea of a house designed to fit inside a container is rather different.

“The bearing construction is from wood and measures to fit into an international standard freight container,” Slawik’s leading architect Prof. Han Slawik told Gizmag. “Therefore after the first use you can easily transport and re-use the HomeBox to other places around the world.”

With a small base footprint of just 7 m2 (75 ft2), the HomeBox differentiates itself from traditional container homes by being positioned upright and not on the longer side. The base measures approximately 2.9 m by 2.4 m (9.5 ft by 7.9 ft) and thus the home is reminiscent of a small tower, requiring significantly less space than regular compact homes.

“There are many gap sites within cities which can be used for temporary small removable houses,” said Prof. Slawik. “Furthermore you can configure the modules to create a container village or even a container city.”

The compact home is spread across three levels, all of equal height. To minimize construction costs, wood has been used as the home’s primary material, including many inbuilt features such as the kitchen table, chairs, bed, staircases and window shutters. The ground level features an entrance with a large wooden shutter that opens out and doubles as an outdoor terrace. The interior space includes a kitchen and bathroom, the main bedroom is positioned on the second level and the top level features an open and light filled living/working space.

HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the kitchen table, chairs, bed, staircases and window shutters
HomeBox includes many wooden inbuilt features such as the kitchen table, chairs, bed, staircases and window shutters

A recently updated HomeBox 2 features three levels with different heights and larger windows, while a third HomeBox is currently in planning. The HomeBoxes will soon be available for purchase with a starting price of approximately €25,000 (US$32,500). Bulk purchases of 10–15 HomeBoxes can be bought at a discounted rate.

Source: Slawik Architects via Architizer

View gallery - 22 images
14 comments
14 comments
yrag
It seems like a pointless and space wasting gimmick without much of a benefit. By being positioned upright, this design seems to require more engineering to prevent tipping over, and in constructing the stairs, which I think generally consumes more space than a horizontal space of the same size that could easily be designed without any equivalent hallway.
Also, more injuries occur on stairs than any other place in a multistory dwelling and is far more hazardous and difficult to navigate for young children, the handicapped and the elderly.
MasterG
At first I thought this idea bears merit and all went well until the price 25000 euros!that is a quarter million bucks in my money R250,000.00 - but for 10k in my money (that's 1000euros) you can buy an old container. Also the wood required to build a SOLID slab of wood the size of a container is far less than a quarter million you could then use said wood and build a few homes and buy a car. Also we south africans don't do wooden houses if its not made from brick or stone then its a shack. In cape town the wind blows hard enough to flip a double decker bus over so this idea can go fool some other people.
MackIntheBox
Looks interesting but with being so tall it would be in danger of being blown over on some of the windier and stormier days here in Texas...
Bill Bennett
Like the concept for here in Oregon, My Mum would move in in a second
JPAR
The stability issue can be addressed by simply interlocking the units into a large 'block' of several units (not sure if these are designed to lock together or not at the moment).
My suggestion would be to create a 'plus sign' of 5 interlocked units in a square formation - this would be 4 normal units, then a 5th 'utility' hub to go in the centre. The utility hub would be similar to the living space unit, except it would contain 4 kitchenettes downstairs, and 4 en-suite's upstairs - all plumbed/wired to connect as a single unit. You could also run a generator from the 'hub' for electricity, heating & light.
Slowburn
I think my kitchen is bigger than that house.
POOL PUMPREAPAIR guy longwood
The problem with the horizontal units is that they offer no view. this just might be a unit that could be used in a tight spot to view the sea,hills or other cool locations.
Eduardo Cunha
This could be a great quality life improvement in the slums or favelas in Brazil or in others countries..I hope that's gonna be possible one day...with a minor steel thickness and a big production quantity it'll be possible.
Joe Sobotka
Fine for an emergency,, but permanent living I'd say too small. For me at least.
jerryd
I love tiny houses but have found out 7.5' sq isn't very useful for any but very short term living. Over a week and it'll get to you.
I agree with yrag on his/her points. Stairs just take up too much space.
Load More