Project Of The Week
How a Shipping Container Was Made Into a Luxurious Off-Grid Cabin
A indepth study of how a plain shipping container was converted into off-grid, low-impact, high-quality accommodation
Is it just us or does everyone have a fantasy of converting a shipping container into a wilderness-ready cabin? If you’ve ever had this dream, in waking hours it’s probably followed by questions such as: What does it really take? How much money would it cost? How much of my own labour would it involve? And, is it really worth the effort? In an effort to answer these questions and more, we talked to Paul Rowse, the owner of Larnook, a new off-grid converted shipping container in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, about his experience creating this tiny treasure.
Paul isn’t a property developer. Rather, he has a background in horticulture and agriculture. “Like most farmers, I am not particularly good at anything but can do most things to a reasonable level – and can do attention to detail if I take my time.”
Louvre windows help promote airflow and allow a view through to the rustic forms of the old dairy shed.
Paul and his wife Michelle Rowse, a high-school teacher with an eye for design and furnishings, had a few owner-builder projects under their belts – including two homes and a small townhouse – when they decided to convert a shipping container into luxury off-grid accommodation. Larnook was their first attempt at this kind of conversion… and what lessons they learned.
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Paul and his wife Michelle Rowse, a high-school teacher with an eye for design and furnishings, had a few owner-builder projects under their belts – including two homes and a small townhouse – when they decided to convert a shipping container into luxury off-grid accommodation. Larnook was their first attempt at this kind of conversion… and what lessons they learned.
Find a builder near you on Houzz for expert advice on how to achieve your dream home
To start with, it was the design that proved the biggest challenge for the couple.
“Refining the design through the build process was a challenge as we had no prior experience,” says Paul.
“Aiming for a high-quality product … in all weather conditions … meant that we were constantly challenged to find the best options possible and available, but while also trying to keep the budget under a reasonable degree of control.”
Paul converted the couple’s initial design concept to plans and drawings using a CAD program over a period of six to eight months.
“Refining the design through the build process was a challenge as we had no prior experience,” says Paul.
“Aiming for a high-quality product … in all weather conditions … meant that we were constantly challenged to find the best options possible and available, but while also trying to keep the budget under a reasonable degree of control.”
Paul converted the couple’s initial design concept to plans and drawings using a CAD program over a period of six to eight months.
They then bought two single-use cube containers, six metres high, from Phoenix Containers, mainly because they were simple to transport using small rigid tilt-tray trucks.
Phoenix Containers also undertook the steel cut-out work and reinforcing, with steel for the door frames and windows.
The containers were then transported to a leased warehouse close to where the couple live. At this stage they also ordered many of the components including glazing, insulation, timber, steel and appliances.
Phoenix Containers also undertook the steel cut-out work and reinforcing, with steel for the door frames and windows.
The containers were then transported to a leased warehouse close to where the couple live. At this stage they also ordered many of the components including glazing, insulation, timber, steel and appliances.
The gas-log fireplace
“[At the warehouse] the build was very similar to a new house build,” says Paul. The tasks that were undertaken included the following:
“[At the warehouse] the build was very similar to a new house build,” says Paul. The tasks that were undertaken included the following:
- Installation of doors and windows.
- Internal framing and lining.
- Plumbing rough-in.
- Electrical rough-in.
- The laying of the floor.
- Sanding and levelling of the marine-ply floor.
- Internal framing and lining.
- Framing for the raised bed and fireplace.
- Bathroom waterproofing and tiling.
- Cabinetry and benchtop installation.
- Cork tiling on walls, drawer fronts and the ensuite floor.
- Concrete-shelf installation.
- Gas fireplace installation.
- Ceiling wallpaper installation.
- Internal plumbing and electrical fit-out.
- Appliance installation.
- Compost toilet installation.
- External roof section fabrication and fit-out with Colorbond.
- Solar system installation and fit-out.
The deck is screened off with pot plants for enhanced privacy.
Two trucks undertook two trips; the first carrying the roof sections, the second transporting the two containers. A crane was then used to lift the containers into position.
The cabin sits on treated pine blocks so is completely transportable and ‘not a permanent structure’, which is handy for council permission purposes.
Together, the containers create a 25-square-metre cabin, within which is a bedroom, living area with a deck, a kitchenette and bathroom.
Two trucks undertook two trips; the first carrying the roof sections, the second transporting the two containers. A crane was then used to lift the containers into position.
The cabin sits on treated pine blocks so is completely transportable and ‘not a permanent structure’, which is handy for council permission purposes.
Together, the containers create a 25-square-metre cabin, within which is a bedroom, living area with a deck, a kitchenette and bathroom.
It was important to their concept, and the guest experience, that the cabin be self-sufficient and off-grid. As such, it didn’t require external services, which eliminated the need for the cabin to be near any pre-existing utilities.
That meant Paul and Michelle could choose a spot behind the old dairy shed, hidden from the road and other houses. They selected a northwest orientation; north for solar purposes and with a view out to the city and Port Phillip Bay, while capturing incredible sunsets.
That meant Paul and Michelle could choose a spot behind the old dairy shed, hidden from the road and other houses. They selected a northwest orientation; north for solar purposes and with a view out to the city and Port Phillip Bay, while capturing incredible sunsets.
In addition to the cost of the containers, going off-grid was an additional $30,000, and included 3kW solar panels, a 10kW battery, composting toilet, grey water treatment and disposal system, a water tank and pressure pump.
Browse more beautiful Australian outdoor spaces
Browse more beautiful Australian outdoor spaces
The king-size bed has incomparable views
Suffice to say, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. “Covid in general resulted in limitations on travel and delivery of some of the components,” says Paul. “Then in late-September 2020, I had an accident and spent a couple of weeks in hospital, then two to three months recovering.”
Suffice to say, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. “Covid in general resulted in limitations on travel and delivery of some of the components,” says Paul. “Then in late-September 2020, I had an accident and spent a couple of weeks in hospital, then two to three months recovering.”
The bathroom
Still, they have created an incredibly efficient and beautiful cabin, one that speaks to that uniquely Australian sense of place.
Still, they have created an incredibly efficient and beautiful cabin, one that speaks to that uniquely Australian sense of place.
The kitchen
This is due in part to the subdued interiors formulated by KWD, otherwise known as Kate Walker Design. “The whole premise we ran with had to emulate the name and create a nest where guests could cocoon in comfort,” says Kate.
This is due in part to the subdued interiors formulated by KWD, otherwise known as Kate Walker Design. “The whole premise we ran with had to emulate the name and create a nest where guests could cocoon in comfort,” says Kate.
“In order to create an organic feeling, we avoided anything white, hence the cork wallpaper on the ceiling and hexagonal cork tiles on the walls. The cork aids with sound absorption and it’s also a sustainable material,” she says.
The shower
We loved referencing Mother Nature through the bee-hive honeycomb shaping of the cork tiles and the bathroom tiles, says Kate.
We loved referencing Mother Nature through the bee-hive honeycomb shaping of the cork tiles and the bathroom tiles, says Kate.
Paul and Michelle’s dream of a completely self-sufficient and off-grid luxury accommodation is now a reality. They intend to create more cabins that can be easily transported to stunning sites so guests can enjoy incredible views and total privacy away from any other homes, be it on coastal properties or hilltop farms.
The fire pit
The birth of Larnook has taught the couple many lessons. “The second one will be much easier, faster and done more efficiently,” says Paul.
And aside from the physical build, Paul says it was the formation of a luxury accommodation business that overall proved the most challenging part of the set up.
The birth of Larnook has taught the couple many lessons. “The second one will be much easier, faster and done more efficiently,” says Paul.
And aside from the physical build, Paul says it was the formation of a luxury accommodation business that overall proved the most challenging part of the set up.
“Establishing the business was multifaceted and quite complex, from branding and marketing to establishing a website (www.larnook.co), booking platform, and complying with legal requirements,” says Paul.
Still, we are overjoyed the couple followed their dream, and shared the process with us.
Your turn
Does understanding the building process for this off-grid cabin help you decide if you’d like to do something similar, even if it’s extra accommodation on your property? We’d love to hear what you think so tell us in the Comments, like this story and save the images for inspiration.
More
Want to see another inspiring renovation? Check out this India Houzz Tour: A Home of Endless Windows and an Earthy Palette
Still, we are overjoyed the couple followed their dream, and shared the process with us.
Your turn
Does understanding the building process for this off-grid cabin help you decide if you’d like to do something similar, even if it’s extra accommodation on your property? We’d love to hear what you think so tell us in the Comments, like this story and save the images for inspiration.
More
Want to see another inspiring renovation? Check out this India Houzz Tour: A Home of Endless Windows and an Earthy Palette
Set in: A 40-hectare working flower farm.
Where on the farm: Larnook is located in the northwestern part of the property, beside a disused diary shed (the property was a dairy farm from the 1920s to the 1960s).
What does the name signify: The name Larnook is derived from Aboriginal culture – a term from the local Bunurong tribe that means ‘habitation’ or ‘nest’.
How long did the project take: 18 months from the birth of the idea to the start of the build then 10 months part-time to build it.
Total cost: Approximately $130,000 for the build (including off-grid elements).
Other professionals: KWD advised on optimal layout ideas and interior design formation.