The Old Lady House is a shipping container design measuring 40 by 24 feet (960 square feet) intended for two to three occupants. The layout includes two small bedrooms, a bathroom, large closet, kitchen with laundry/utility room, and open living/dining area with glass sliding doors for natural light and views. Side decks with additional sliding doors expand the outdoor living space.
Design Details
- Name: Old Lady House
- Size: 40′ x 24′ (960 square feet)
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Occupancy: 2-3 people
- Features: Large closet, kitchen, laundry/utility, living/dining, side decks
- Designer: Architecture and Hygiene
Container House Exterior Rendering
Images via Architecture and Hygiene
Two-Bedroom Layout View
Living Area with Glass Doors
Interior Perspective
Floor Plan
Lessons from Container House Design
- Multiple Containers Create Comfortable Homes: Combining container modules produces sufficient square footage for full residential use
- Glass Sliding Doors Counter Container Darkness: Large glazing areas overcome the limited natural light in steel boxes
- Side Decks Extend Living Space: Covered outdoor areas add functional square footage without enclosure costs
- Central Bathroom Serves Both Bedrooms: Shared bathrooms reduce plumbing complexity in compact layouts
- Utility Rooms Consolidate Services: Combining laundry, storage, and mechanical systems saves floor space
Learn More
Related Container Houses
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Alex
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Inteesting,My only question is why? You could have built amuch more energy efficent frame house of similair size for less money and a more flexible floor plan .
The bedrooms are much too small. We old ladies need to be able to walk around our beds to make them.
Narrow the living/dining room a little, Make two 10′ bedrooms on one side with a 2′ clost area separating them. On the other side, half is a larger kitchen and half is a bathroom with washer/dryer connections. Fit a pantry/ storage area in the kitchen if possible.
Whats with all the glass? did you buy out a sliding door factory?
Sorry to be so critical – In some ways you’ve got a great design for a shipping container – but when it comes to glass – sometimes less is more.
I guess we’re all different! I like all the glass… I love looking outside.
I like the home.
Now to find the land and try to get the permits!
I have an acre in Homosassa Florida for sale it would fit great there
I have to agree with creeksitter about the changes ~ I like a larger kitchen with all that I do there ~ but this is a neat design. Love the idea of working with containers! Walls and floor already in place, just waiting for such designs! These are great! Keep up the good work. Could you try a design like she was talking about? That would be wonderful!
Thanks Kat, me too, I love containers. They’re super safe… and recycled. I’d go with a smaller version (one or two containers) unless I had a family.
maybe 2 containers, offset a bit for interest? I think I might play with that just for fun! Wondering though, where would be the best place to find containers for sale to do this? It would be a fast way to build since basic box is already there, there would be little worry about weather while ‘building’ it. Another question is ~ can they go underground, even a little? Or would they not be structurally sound enough for that? I’m thinking 2-3 sides under the earth for added insulation = less utility payments or easier solar/wind usage. Always the questions to things like this…… worth looking into for sure.
Great idea, I’ll have to look into it as I’m not sure although I think it’d be fine just depends on what part of the world you’re building, elevations, flood possibilities, etc.
great idea with the 2/3’s buried.
what’s the cost of the house.
Sorry- not sure, Sami
I too like this design and would like to see the changes suggested. However, I do like all the windows my cats would have lots of space to sleep in front of the windows and see all around the house. Right now they have only 2 windows in the bedroom to see what’s going on. I am also interested in the cost.
Old lady house? Bah!
I’d love it!!
why is this called the old lady house. sounds so depressing. why not-the old wise woman house, the wise old crone house (barbara walker book “crone”), why not the elder’s house. all those are resprectful and complimentary. i am a wise old crone and actually like this house.
I like the concept but this plan has too many sliding doors (so much glass would mean less safety). Also, I’d like one bedroom larger than these. It looks like the deep foundation could be either a basement or storage area which would be nice. How many containers are in this plan? Looks like maybe four.
They’re 3 Container. Look at http://www.architectureandhygiene.com/oldLadyHouse/oldLadyHouse_main.html
Could tell it’s 3. Site say 24 x 40 house. So Itself container should be 8 x 40. It’s pretty standard container. Just put them together. I would like to live in that house with little modify. Like… replace one bedroom to gym or computer room
I was looking for a stair case to the basement. Look as I may it’s just not there 🙂 However with the utility room, finding room shouldn’t be a prob. My husband are seriously looking at this. Are the plans available?