Adam from HoneyBox INC. built this off-grid shipping container cabin on a mountain top in British Columbia, Canada. The structure uses three 20-foot shipping containers, with the middle container bolted to a cement block foundation using twist locks and the two outer containers cantilevered using lashing rods.
The cabin was designed as a demonstration studio showcasing how shipping containers can create unique living spaces. The entire front-facing wall features panoramic windows for mountain views, and the structure operates completely off-grid with solar power, propane, and rainwater collection.
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Three-Container Structure on Mountain Foundation
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Panoramic Window Wall with Mountain Views
The front-facing wall is covered with windows to maximize the mountain view. While not the most energy-efficient design, the glass wall creates an immersive connection to the surrounding landscape.
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Open Interior with Off-Grid Systems
The cabin runs on 800 watts of solar panels powering a 12-volt system for lights, outlets, and water pump. A wood stove provides heat, while propane powers the refrigerator, hot water, and cooktop. A Sun-Mar composting toilet handles waste.
Image © Exploring Alternatives
Video Tour: Off-Grid Container Cabin
Design Details
- Builder: Adam / HoneyBox INC.
- Location: Mountain top, British Columbia, Canada
- Containers: 3 x 20-foot shipping containers
- Foundation: Cement blocks with twist locks (center container)
- Support System: Lashing rods (cantilevered outer containers)
- Insulation: Spray foam (adheres to steel, prevents condensation)
- Solar: 800 watts
- Electrical: 12-volt system
- Heat: Wood stove
- Propane: Refrigerator, hot water, cooktop
- Toilet: Sun-Mar composting toilet
- Water Source: Well + rainwater catchment
- Water Storage: 2 large tanks
- Drinking Water: Brought in (well water is ferrous, rainwater unfiltered)
- Special Feature: Full-wall panoramic windows
- Purpose: Demonstration studio (not full-time residence)
Lessons from This Build
- Cantilevered Containers Create Dramatic Overhangs: Using lashing rods to cantilever the outer containers beyond the foundation creates visual interest and additional covered outdoor space without needing ground support at every point
- Spray Foam Solves Container Condensation: Shipping containers are prone to condensation when warm interior air meets cold steel walls—spray foam insulation adheres directly to the metal and creates a vapor barrier that fiberglass batts cannot
- Twist Locks Enable Secure Stacking: The same hardware used to secure containers on ships works for permanent construction, providing a proven connection system rated for extreme loads
- Dual Water Sources Add Redundancy: Combining well water and rainwater collection provides backup when one source is insufficient, though both may require treatment before drinking
- Prioritizing Views Means Energy Trade-offs: A full glass wall maximizes the mountain views but increases heating demands—a conscious trade-off the builder made for this demonstration project
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nice; but has 0 curb appeal. Like the interior though.
john, the view is the curb appeal… There’s not too many structures you could put on top of a rocky hill like this, let alone do it affordably…
So depends on how much you like the view rather than what the house looks like… But, if you don’t mind spending more you could always trick it out to look like a regular house… That just doesn’t come with the base price…
Couldn’t disagree with you more, john… I think this is beautiful!
To each their own I guess, eh.
I want to do something similar. I have an idea for three 20 ft containers with a steel deck structure for a view of the inlet where my property is in the Kenai . I like how you did the insulation and the interior. Do you have any condensation problems at all??
Another way to transform a shipping container into a livable space.
I like the connection elements using proven equipment from container ships. They are a sturdy as containers itself.
An interesting feature is the central ladder frame and hanging containers on both sides of the central unit. This saves additional foundation and makes it easier to move the structure if needed.
The open floor plan is nicely thought although I would put the toilet into the bathroom and separate it by a wall for privacy.
Their website shows a lot of options.
Great job.
Nice place with a super view. Wondering about shipping containers and rust. Doesn’t the rusting at some point make them unstable? It seems they would be hard to insulate too.
Not so much a reply to the comment as this is a reply for future readers…I’m sure there are primers and paint that can mitigate the rust issue.
I don’t know about living on a cliff. It’s a beautiful place and such but aren’t you worried about landslides, earth settling, avalanches. Little bit scary to me.
That cliff looks very rocky, I would not be surprise that it is like where my old cabin was. It was sloping down to the lake, but under a foot of soil was nothing but solid rock. In which case it is very stable indeed.
I think the way the container was mounted to overcome the rocky terrain is ingenious.