Ready To Use 3D 360° Templates For Container Home Plans and Designs
An attractive, economical two container GreenCube house plan.
Rear view with solar roof; Front view with greenroof and skylights
Shipping container home plans, designs and drawings are now available for the DIY consumer and non-skilled professionals. After more than 10 months of development Qube-360 templates are finally available to the public.
In August 2008 the ISBU Association began a project to develop realistic 3D 360° templates for the common DIY consumer and the thousands of building and real estate professionals who don’t have architectural or drafting skills. There was a big demand for container home designs and this type of easy-to-use DIY consumer software. The software project was named Qube 360 and at the time seemed like a simple task.
The ISBU Association had many qualified members that were architects and designers. Many of them suggested that such a project to make the container home designs and plans for DIY consumers would be a simple “piece of cake”. But ultimately it was not.
“We listened to numerous professionals and viewed dozens of software programs and concepts”, says Rick Spears of the ISBA, “Now, after more than ten months and thousands of dollars over budget with well meaning advisors, we finally have a system that is affordable and easy to use”.
There are many 3D and 2D home design programs out there for the consumer but all are quite pricy and not easy to learn and use. “We went back and forth over the months with promises from several software companies and designers. None ever met their goals or our requirements. Not even the newest versions of Google SketchUp met our expectations”, said Spears.
Now, after all these months, the Qube 360 3D templates have partnered with one of the original software developers who finally made several advances that meet our qualifications.
The Qube-360 container home designs include many “ready made” 360° templates; free software for viewing; and the ability to see all homes and designs up close, inside and out in realistic 3D and orbit view.
The user can now view the homes, modify the homes, paint and even add furniture and landscape with no special skills or training. If you can use Photoshop or Microsoft Word you can easily use the Qube-360 program and pre-designed templates with “Engineering and structural tips” included.
For more information on the Qube 360 templates and 3D home design program click here [ LINK ].
If you are an ISBA Member please go to the Member Section for free use of the Q-360 templates.
Tags: 2D, 3d, architecture, construction, container-homes, designs, eco, green, ISBU, plans, sustainable
ISBU Association Members Lead Construction In The U.S. And Globally
DwellBox: Casey Pond and Ethan Anderson
PFNC: Brian Mc Carthy and Pablo Nava
TempoHousing: Quinten De Gooijer
CDCA Summer Studio: Valencia Coar
There seems to be much confusion regarding the companies and the people who are really “in the know” and actually constructing real container housing projects in the U.S. and globally.
There is no shortage of container home concept drawings and dreams but who are the real people who have stepped forward and are involved in the real ISBU container housing projects?
In 2008 only a few container homes or offices were actually constructed anywhere in the world. In previous years there were a few builders and architects in news stories but nothing more ever materialized beyond a few prototype homes and concept drawings.
But in 2009 Members of the ISBU Association lead the world and also the U.S. in real container home construction projects. More than 3000 units are expected to break ground and/or finish during 2009.
Although the ISBA (ISBU Association) has hundreds of Corporate members with projects on the drawing board and hundreds of consumer members with plans in hand, it’s important to recognize those who have pushed against the economy and other negative factors. In 2008 and again in 2009 these few would finally ”make their mark” but only with tenacity and visionary thinking.
Making Their Mark:
- Casey Pond and Ethan Anderson of DwellBox are without a doubt the “small business” leaders in the North American ISBU home construction industry. Their well organized, high quality approach to the ISBU design and construction are landing them and their building contractor associates attention and projects from coast to coast in the U.S. Their theory is quality designs, systemization, and standardization. Their concept is to create a network of associates and building contractors in all regions of the U.S. and Canada who use their standardized and proven construction methods. They are well on their way. [ LINK ]
- Brain McCarthy and Pablo Nava of PFNC also lead our members as young progressive entrepreneurs but their business is focused primarily in Mexico. They specialize in developing housing near the factories along the US/Mexico border which will have a tremendous impact of the quality of living along the border. Although they began with the single family units, their newest project will consist of approximately 700 units near Tijuana and San Diego border. Brian and Pablo are experienced, very progressive, and well organized in their business approach. [ LINK ]
- Quentin De Gooijer of TempoHousing is a low key businessman with a strategy that has vaulted the TempoHousing concepts and projects globally. His leadership and experience created one of the most famous housing projects in the world and his 1000 unit student housing project in Amsterdam remains the largest successful single project to date. TempoHousing presently is involved in many projects globally including North America, Europe, Mid-East, Africa and Australia. Quentin remains an inspiration to all our ISBU Association members globally. [ LINK ]
Unlike so many of the names of container architects and builders who were in the news in the early 2000’s Quentin DeGooijer and TempoHousing remain active, growing and credible.
- Our most recent project comes from a most unsuspecting business woman and group in Atlanta Georgia. Valencia Coar, the Executive Director of the Community Design Center of Atlanta (CDCA) and the CDCA board of directors has pushed the container housing education/construction project through the most difficult obstacles and on June 4th. the “Summer Studio 2009″ began.
This is not only a well backed community based education project but it involves teams of college students from many states coast to coast who are actually creating the container housing designs and architecture. Additionally the Summer Studio program in Atlanta will actually begin construction of these beautiful Eco-Green container homes beginning September of this year and will be completed before the end of December.
Valencia Coar, the professional leaders, and the participating college and university students are all part of the largest ISBU container housing education program in history. She and the CDCA board have created the program and helped to set a new standard in Sustainable housing education. The Summer Studio concept will be duplicated in 2010 and funded annually by the ISBU Association and Project GreenCube for use in all areas of the U.S., Canada and globally. [ LINK ]
For more information regarding these exceptional “container construction” entrepreneurs please follow the links in the news article above.
Tags: architects, cdca, construction, container-homes, designs, dwellbox, green-cube, ISBU, pfnc, shipping container, summer-studio-2009, sustainable, tempohousing
Project GreenCube: University Education Program In Southern California
Project GreenCube promotes Container construction at LA Colleges.
Students from various West coast colleges and universities have become part of the Project GreenCube University Education Program funded by the ISBU Association and it’s global Members.
The GreenCube Education program began at Clemson University in the Eastern United States in January of this year and has now spread to many of the West coast and East coast colleges and universities.
Barry Naef, executive director of the ISBU Association, (shown above) has been the guest speaker to many groups of architectural, engineering and design students from various colleges and universities across the United States. Involved in the present container education programs are students from 15 U.S. colleges and universities. The colleges and universities represented are Carnegie-Mellon, Clemson University, Duke University, Emory University, Harbor College, Houston University, Howard University, LATTC (LA Trade-Technical College), MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Peirce College, Penn State, Syracuse University, Tuskegee University, University of Georgia, and USC (University of Southern California).
The programs and curriculum include the study, evaluation, design and construction of various types of shipping container and ISBU technologies including architectural designs, construction, engineering, concepts, multiple uses, sustainability as well as artistic use and designs.
The programs which Project GreenCube promote and support include not only the colleges, universities, students and professors but also the local corporations, ISBA Corporate members, industry professionals and leaders from various government agencies.
Some of the programs such as the Summer Studio in Atlanta include all phases of ISBU technology, design and construction including other Eco-Green technologies, sustainable living concepts and Green energy which can be used very effectively with container home construction projects and storage units.
More information and details will be available soon on all the ISBU Association and GreenCube websites.
Tags: architect, construction, designs, education, engineering, green, housing, ISBU, prefab, shipping containers, sustainability, technology
New Hi-Res Exploded View Shipping Container Drawings!
Exploded view with all drawings.
The new Architectural drawings and CAD templates now include “hi-resolution” view for all 20′ and 40′ shipping containers. The much requested “exploded” views have arrived and they are now included free with all Architectural drawings and Architectural CAD templates in the ISBU Association educational tools.
These new educational tools are available to the public and also to the ISBU Association members. The popular architectural shipping container drawings are available in both professional CAD and DIY consumer .tiff drawings. (More details)
Shipping Container Storage Units And Sheds Become “Tuffer” Competition
Shipping container storage sheds are tougher and low cost.
Can ISBU containers be converted to high quality storage sheds and still compete with the low prices of Tuff Shed and other quality brands? We compared “apples to apples” and the results for 8′x10′ storage units have surprised even the shipping container modifiers and portable storage unit dealers.
At about the same price Tuff Shed and Heartland don't stack up.
We went shopping this week and obtained quotations for shipping containers, siding and roofing materials so we could create almost any type of 8′x10′ storage unit from 40′ shipping containers. No matter if they remain plain, metal, stucco, or wood siding, roll up or standard doors and even adding roofs to add a creative touch, the prices came out about the same as the “Tuff Shed” from Home Depot, “Heartland Diplomat” from Lowe’s or even the new vinyl Cosmos shed.
No one can deny that the famous Tuff Shed is one of the best and toughest storage units around but did you realize that for about the same price and even similar designs you can build a much tougher ISBU container based storage unit that is more than 10 times stronger than a Tuff Shed? Oh yes!
The Tuff Shed MR-450 is priced from $1700-$1900; the Cosmos without a floor is $1900 and the ready-to-assemble Heartland Diplomat begins at $1400. All are 8′x10′ but only 6′ tall. The ISBU storage sheds are also 8′x10′ but are a much bigger 8.5′ to 9.5′ tall complete with floor and a super strong steel foundation.
The strength of all sides, ends and roof of the ISBU storage sheds are 15 to 25 times stronger than the strongest metal, wood or vinyl sheds including their roof strength. In high winds, tornadoes and hurricanes the standard sheds are good to only 80-120 MPH while the ISBU storage units hold tough at more than 140 and even higher when mounted to a concrete pylon foundation. The other sheds cannot even hold up to those winds when mounted to a concrete foundation.
The cost of these strong and even attractive ISBU storage units begin at only $1200 for standard 8′x10′ units as you see in the top right photo, and $1600-$1900 for ISBU sheds with your choice of the added siding and roofs. Those results for the ISBU box and decorating materials even surprised us.
How did we do it? Your shipping container dealer can take a 40GP or 40HQ, cut it into 4 pieces, then add the needed end doors, either roll up or standard, and end walls to make up four 10″ units. We’ve seen it done many times. That leaves you with four (4) 8′x10′ standard units that just need to be painted white, grey or other attractive light color. The average selling price will vary of course but we see basic prices of about $1200 each.
Next, we went to Home Depot, Ace, Best and Lowe’s to shop for “retail” building materials so we could add siding and roofs if we want. We priced stucco, wood siding, and metal siding to disguise the “container look”. Then we priced roofing materials using metal or asphalt shingles to create a low pitch roof formed with the low cost metal studs. The costs for all materials to create these, even more attractive sheds only increased the material costs of the total ISBU storage units to $1600-$1900. Not too bad for attractive storage sheds that are easily transported, super tough, and are extremely attractive.
These storage unit modifications with added siding, stucco and roofs can also be done to the standard 20′ and 40′ ISBU containers to create very attractive larger storage units. The above prices also included the cost of painting all storage units with the Ceramic Paint thermal coatings to protect the contents of the ISBU sheds and storage units.
The ISBU storage shed in the top left photo is an example of a custom made ISBU shed decorated by a customer of the guys at Dwellbox. Their customer added the exterior shed decorations to match the design of his houme. An ISBU shed can be very versatile, still attractive, and quite economical depending on the look you want.
As stated above, the added cost of a decorated unit are DIY and materials only.
Right now there is great interest in both residential and commercial storage units. If you’re note modifying, decorating and selling ISBU container sheds and storage units right now then you are missing out on a huge market that is a soaring trend in these crazy economic times.
For more ideas on ISBU storage sheds, mobile storage units, and how to construct them, login to the Member section and get more details.
Tags: building, construction, ISBU, portable, sheds, shipping containers, storage-units
Micro-thin Ceramic Insulations For Home and Electronics
A micro-thin ceramic technology that put "Intel Inside". Now micro-thin ceramics for your home...
Thanks to computers, microprocessors and aerospace technology, science has developed inexpensive insulation for our homes, office and industry. 2009 is the year of Ceramic Coatings and you can be a part of this booming trend.
The “Ceramic Coatings & Insulation BizGuide” is creating very much controversy. It’s the first complete report on the Ceramic Coatings industry, secret “Four Ceramic” formulas and where to buy it factory direct in small quantities. …this is what the painting contractors, “Green builders”, eco-entrepreneurs and paint dealers have been waiting for. 2009 could easily become a “cash crop” for this Eco-Green technology.
According to the two year study, Ceramic Coatings are the most economical ”insulation booster” in decades and completely “non-toxic”.
This is certainly not a casual output of technical information. This consists of nearly three years of researching the Ceramic paint and coatings trade and the BizGuide is a detailed eye opening summary of visiting and interviewing production plants, manufacturers, scientists, lab technicians and the actual use and testing of the various formulas by our staff over a two year period.
The report has much detail on why it got bad press in the beginning, how it was developed, and why it works. Nearly half of the publication is dedicated to the actual ingredients and exact formulas that create the mysterious “Four Ceramic” coatings.
If you are a struggling painter or building contractor, you will find the information in the Ceramic Coatings BizGuide can easily stabilize your business with virtually no large investment.
Our organization discovered this new technology because of its compatibility with the steel shipping containers. With much caution we moved forward with the research and now conclude it to be far more flexible, economical and effective than we ever anticipated. Knowing how to use it and knowing the right formula was the trick. The report shows you how it can effectively be used in virtually every home, plus 5 more creative income opportunities for the use of this Ceramic coating.
Here are the inside details on the Ceramic Coatings trade you’ve been waiting for.
For more information on the 25 page BizGuide with sources and formulas, or the Consumer Report with approved retail dealers click the link here. [ Ceramic Coatings BizGuide ]
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Tags: bussiness-opportunity, ceramic, coatings, contractors, economy, green, homes, insulation, non-toxic, paints, sustainable, technology
Luis de Garrido’s “Green Box” At Construmat 2009 In Barcelona
Sustainable garden house of the future...
Construmat 2009 will feature the “Green Box” at it’s opening in Barcelona Spain April 20, 2009. The “Green Box” is his latest sustainable home prototype.
The home was designed by the architect and international lecturer Luis de Garrido who was recently chosen as “Architect of the Year” in 2008 by the ISBU Association (ISBA) and also recognized by the AIA. His ”Green Box” home could become an international benchmark in sustainable architecture, as it comprehensively meets all of the known sustainable indicators.
Professor de Garrido will present the “Green Box” in New York City on Tuesday, April 21st. at the Glasshouse Museum on West 25th Street. The actual “Green Box” home will be built in Barcelona to celebrate the Construmat 2009 International Construction Fair also beginning April 20th.
More details on the “Green Box” project by Luis de Garrido can be found at Cubic Inspirations in the new ”Up Close” section. Construmat Expo runs from April 21st through the 25th in Barcelona Spain.
Tags: aia, architect, barcelona, construction, construmat, green-box, ISBA, luis de garrido, sustainable
ISBU Container Becomes An Affordable Office And Kitchen Design Center
Surviving the global economy with a shipping container office.
Another “Business In A Box” concept becomes an inspiring way to survive and assure success in this turbulent global economy. This creative business strategy and low overhead is a sure way to not only survive, but also to absolutely intrigue your customers.
Mark Hanner who is a creative kitchen designer in the UK has been talking with us and planning his new office strategy for several months now. He has always liked the idea of using an ISBU container for office space but with every month of grim economic news the “Business In A Box Concept” began to seem like the wisest and most creative business strategy.
Mark says, “Overall, the 20′ container has provided me with an incredibly flexible, cost effective, and quirky solution. I’m already considering where to open a second one”.
But not only are his customers impressed with his creativity and excellent kitchen designs but many of Mark’s customers are interested in having cost effective ISBU offices of their own. With six customers already interested in his containerized BizPod concept he may well have created a new business opportunity for himself, …mobile office conversions using recycled ISBU containers.
Although his interest has only been to design and build kithchens he certainly won’t turn away orders for container conversions and maybe a new business opportunity.
Mark’s detailed story and photos can be seen in our new “Up Close” section at the Cubic Inspirations website. His container project and other container projects will be featured with additional photos, plans and drawings. You may contact Mark and see some of his kitchen designs at his “The Kitchen Designer” website.
Additional Reading: www.cubicinspirations.com
Tags: conversions, designs, ISBU, kitchen, shipping containers, u.k.
It’s Here! Standardized, Government Backed Container Inspections For The Housing Industry!
A standardized container certification to assist building inspectors.
This is possibly one of the most important breakthroughs for the housing industry and “Green” construction movement globally! A standardized inspection and certification for ISBU containers has been approved which includes structural safety reports, toxicity reports, and a unique tracking code for each ISBU container that government inspectors, lenders and insurance underwriters can finally trust.
Government building inspectors can now approve the use of ISBU containers for use in construction, housing and storage projects with complete confidence.
The name of this new certification is SIR which will be administered by International Equipment Inspections, Inc. (IEI), a newly formed organization comprised of experienced industry professionals and a network of experienced, trained and certified inspectors already known to the shipping container industry. Marvin K. Johnson was recently named CEO of the Florida based IEI, and is also the CEO of Intermodal Support Services, Inc. with about 150 employees and 33 offices throughout North America. Mr. Johnson and the IEI staff will be organizing the implementation of the SIR certification program in the U.S. and globally.
Who will this benefit? Building contractors, architects, engineers, building inspectors, lenders, insurance underwriters, FEMA, HUD, the consumer, shipping container dealers, and the mobile storage industry.
Read the full story here. [ Details ]
Tags: architects, building permit, construction, engineers, housing, ISBU, shipping container
Never Before Seen Container Projects In America and Accross The World
Giant 1600 sq/ft workshop
This week begins a fresh news series of container construction you’ve never seen before. The ISBU Association is traveling across America and around the world to bring you fresh new ideas and container construction concepts that are proven, usable and ready to go.
This ISBU shipping container project was built in the U.S., completely by one person, and easily got a building permit and passed all building codes.
So you are wondering about this project–Two shipping containers or four? You will be surprised to learn that this creative design and architecture is made of only 2- 40′ containers, but a full 1600 sq/ft and all four walls are only a total of 2 shipping containers. This is creativity and recycling at it’s best and cost less than 50% of a delivered prefab steel building including walls, roof, skylights and full concrete floor.
With this and other projects we will show you the ”real thing” and not just futuristic concepts. Additional photos and “How To” plans will be available in our Member section. We will visit these projects in person and interview the owners, architects, engineers, building contractors and building inspectors. Join us for this new and refreshing “green” learning experience as we meet them “face to face” …highlights will be posted here, with full details available in our Member website.
You will see everything including mobile expos, workshops, biz pods, offices and georgeous 2000 sq/ft homes you didn’t know existed.
Our Corporate members are filling our travel schedule fast, so if you have a project you want us to see please contact us at our “4 news” department soon to get on our travel schedule.
Tags: architecture, construction, how-to, ISBU, shipping container