Nestled in the scenic beauty of Maui, Hawaii, the Aloha Eco Haven is a masterful blend of modern design and sustainable living designed by Love Container Homes®.
This innovative 2-bedroom container home spans approximately 500 square feet, constructed using two 20-foot high cube shipping containers and one 10-foot high cube shipping container.
Designed as a personal retreat for a retired Hawaiian couple, this stunning luxury container home doubles up as a short-term rental for tourists and an exhibition home showcasing the versatility, robustness, and sustainability of shipping container architecture.
Join us on this tour to explore the Aloha Eco Haven and discover the future of sustainable living. We will discuss all the crucial design elements that make this container home truly unique. You will also learn to incorporate these features into your shipping container project.
You can also contact Love Container Homes® to purchase the plans for this beautiful container house or to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can develop custom-engineered plans for your container home project. We have more information on this at the end of this tour.
Vision and Concept
The Aloha Eco Haven container home reflects a visionary dream of the retired couple that was brought to life by Love Container Homes®. The couple had a clear vision: they wanted a compact yet highly functional container home that epitomized modularity, flexibility, sustainability, and structural robustness. This vision was brought to life through the use of repurposed shipping containers, renowned for their strength and ability to withstand Hawaii’s hurricane-prone climate.
The couple also wanted this home to be easily disassembled and relocated if needed – a key feature only a shipping container home could offer. Thus, shipping containers provided the perfect foundation for this modular, adaptable structure.
This commitment to functionalism and flexibility is evident not just in the use of shipping containers, but also in the design of functional and space-saving furniture. We will witness this in upcoming sections. Such furniture include:
- Hideaway Murphy bed that doubles up as a work desk and bookshelf when tucked into the wall.
- Hide-away worktable with overlapping bi-fold tops that can double the workspace when deployed.
- Floating kitchen island on wheels with storage.
Located in a remote, off-grid location on the beautiful island of Maui, the property required a design that ensured energy self-sufficiency. To meet this need, Love Container Homes® (LCH) integrated a 10-kilowatt combined solar and wind energy system into the design, allowing the home to generate its own power sustainably. The solar panel roof also doubles up as a parking shed for the carport.
Architectural Layout and Design
The Aloha Eco Haven by Love Container Homes® is an excellent example of innovative container home design that seamlessly blends functionality and aesthetics.
This stunning container house is crafted using two 20-feet high-cube shipping containers and one 10-foot high-cube shipping container. The 20-feet shipping containers, each measuring 160 sq. ft., are placed at an offset of 8’ in a perpendicular orientation on top of trailers.
These units serve as two distinct living units of this container house and are connected by a modular deck designed for easy disassembly and reinstallation. A 10-foot container, placed on ground level at a 15 feet distance from the house, acts as home’s laundry and mechanical room.
Entering the House
You arrive at the house through a thoughtfully designed road leading to the carport, flanked by modern verticle windmills that add a unique visual element and contribute to the home’s off-grid energy system. The carport, equipped with solar panels, provides shelter for vehicles while harnessing solar energy to power the home, underscoring the commitment to sustainable living.
As you step out of your car and walk towards the entrance, you notice the sleek, modern exterior of the shipping containers, finished with grey color, blends seamlessly with the lush Hawaiian landscape.
As you step out of the car and walk towards the entrance, you notice the sleek, modern exterior of the shipping containers, finished with grey color, blends seamlessly with the lush Hawaiian landscape.
The use of clerestory windows enhances the aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency of the container home while ensuring ample natural light and ventilation.
Located near the carport and mechanical room, the outdoor shower is a luxurious and practical addition. It offers a convenient spot to rinse off after a day at the beach or working in the garden.
Stairs near the outdoor shower lead you to the raised entrance deck of the house. Your first stop is the covered patio, which provides a shaded area to enjoy the outdoors. Each container is provided with a generous deck patio of 20’x8’ that extends the living space outwards and supplements the compact indoors. This space is perfect for relaxing, reading, or enjoying a meal while enjoying scenic views. The neutral color accents really add to the charm of the patio and deck.
Unit 1
Built out of a 20 ft high cube shipping container placed in an east-west orientation, Unit 1 features an open-plan living space that seamlessly integrates the living room, workspace, and bathroom. Spaces and furniture in this unit are designed to maximize space and functionality in a compact 160 square feet shipping container.
Living Room/Bedroom: The living room features a Murphy bed-cum-sofa, a functional, space-saving piece of furniture that can be tucked into the wall to create more room when needed. The sofa with storage provides structural support to the bed when deployed. When the bed is tucked away, it can be used as a typical sofa.
Custom storage towers on both sides of the bed provide ample storage space. Large floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and clerestory windows flood the room with natural light, enhancing the sense of openness.
Workspace: Adjacent to the living area is a meticulously designed cabinet and drawer chest that can be transformed into a spacious workspace when needed. This is possible because of the overlapping bifold table tops that can be overlapped on the chest when not in use. These tops deploy at a 90-degree angle when the upper top is pulled out from the left edge.
This innovative design maximizes available space by folding away neatly when not in use, making it perfect for compact container homes. When unfolded, the bifold tops provide ample surface area for dining, working, or entertaining, ensuring functionality without compromising space. Built-in shelving and drawers, as well as overhead wall-hung cabinets, provide ample space for books, office supplies, and personal items, maintaining the clean and uncluttered aesthetic of the unit.
Bathroom: The bathroom is adjacent to the workspace and can be accessed using the pocket door. It features a luxurious shower area, a modern vanity, a natural stone wash basin, and a compost toilet. The blend of natural light and carefully chosen materials creates a spa-like ambiance, inviting you to rejuvenate. The opposite side of the bathrooms has a glass sliding door that was installed in place of the heavy steel door of the shipping container. The glass on the sliding doors is a UV-protected, storm-rated, one-way-view glass that ensures security and privacy without compromising accessibility.
Unit 2
Unit 2 can be accessed by walking across the covered outdoor deck patio towards the south. This is also built from a single 20-feet high-cube shipping container, with an indoor habitable area of 160 sqft. Here, too, the compact habitable area necessitated the use of space-efficient furniture. It features a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom with a Murphy bed that transforms into a work desk and a bookshelf when tucked into the wall.
Bedroom: The standout feature of Unit 2 is the Murphy bed, which folds into the wall to transform into a worktable and bookshelf. This innovative piece of furniture exemplifies the space-saving ethos of the residence, providing a comfortable sleeping area at night and a functional workspace during the day.
Kitchen: The compact kitchen is a marvel of efficiency, equipped with all the essential appliances and storage solutions. The sleek countertops and modern fixtures contribute to the overall elegance of the unit. The floating kitchen island on wheels with in-built storage provides additional functionality to the kitchen.
Despite its small size, the kitchen is fully functional, including a stove, microwave, refrigerator, and ample cabinet space for storage. The cabinetry and countertops are made from light, natural materials that enhance the sense of space and openness.
Bathroom: The bathroom in Unit 2 is a sanctuary of relaxation, featuring a luxurious bathtub, a sleek vanity, a custom stone basin, a modern incinerating toilet, and contemporary fixtures. The blend of natural light and carefully chosen materials creates a spa-like ambiance, inviting you to unwind and rejuvenate. High-quality finishes and efficient use of space make the bathroom both practical and elegant.
Mechanical Room/Laundry
Conveniently located adjacent to the carport in a 10’x8’ container, the mechanical room and laundry are easily accessible from the house. It houses electrical and power backup systems, storage cabinets with laundry countertops, and a stacked washer and dryer. The original metal door of the shipping container was adopted; however, their steel sheet was replaced with storm-rated glass.
Exploring the Outdoor Spaces
Stepping out from Unit 2, you are drawn towards the beautifully landscaped front yard in the southern portion of the property. The steps from the deck to the front garden also serve as a spot for communal sitting. The garden is perfect for outdoor playing and recreation.
The backyard offers a host of features designed for relaxation and entertainment. The hot water tub and cozy fireplace lounge setup create a perfect setting for unwinding or hosting gatherings.
Summing Up
The Aloha Eco Haven container home is a testament to innovative container home design and seamless blending of functionality and sustainability with aesthetic appeal. This meticulous planning is evident in every detail – from the efficient use of compact space to the luxurious features of the interiors and the thoughtfully designed outdoor areas. The combination of high cube containers and modular design elements ensures a versatile and robust structure that is perfectly suited for the challenging climate of Maui. This project exemplifies the potential of container homes to offer a smart and sustainable living experience.
Benefits of Building with Shipping Containers
Building with shipping containers offers numerous advantages, making them an ideal choice for innovative and sustainable housing solutions. Architects and engineers at Love Container Homes® specialize in harnessing these benefits to create stunning and functional container homes. Here’s why shipping containers are a smart choice for building your dream home:
Modular Nature
The modular nature of shipping container homes provides unmatched flexibility in design and construction. This feature is at the heart of the Aloha Eco Haven.
Container homes can be easily expanded or reconfigured. Whether you need additional living space or a new functional area, containers can be stacked and arranged in various configurations to suit your needs. This modularity allows for creative architectural designs, making it possible to build unique and customized container homes that reflect your personal style.
One of the standout benefits of container homes is the flexibility they allow the homeowner to disassemble and relocate their house in the future. This is particularly valuable for those who foresee changes in their living situation or desire a mobile lifestyle.
Harnessing the full benefits of modularity and flexibility of container homes requires a competent and experienced team of architects and engineers who are well versed with shipping container home architecture or cargotecture. Aloha Eco Haven container home stands testimony to the expertise and dedication of architects and engineers of Love Container Homes®.
Robustness and Longevity
Containers are made from high-strength steel, designed to endure rough seas and heavy loads. This robustness makes them ideal for construction, especially in hurricane-prone areas like Hawaii.
The structural integrity of shipping containers ensures that they can support additional floors or be integrated into complex architectural designs without compromising safety.
With proper maintenance, container homes can last for several decades. The high-quality materials that are resistant to pests, mold, and decay, when combined with the strength of shipping containers, can outlast generations. Love Container Homes® recommends weather-resistant finishes and coatings to enhance the durability of the containers further, ensuring they withstand the elements and maintain their aesthetic appeal over time.
Cost Efficiency
Building with shipping containers is a cost-effective alternative to traditional construction methods, offering significant savings in both time and money.
When you build with shipping containers, in most cases, the fundamental structure of the home is already in place, reducing the need for the construction of extensive load-bearing elements. This results in lower material costs and quicker build times, making container homes an economical choice.
Shipping container homes can be built off-site. This prefab method of construction reduces labor costs and minimizes the disruption to your property.
Importance of Design and Planning
The benefits of modularity, structural robustness, and cost efficiency offered by shipping containers cannot be realized without the expertise of seasoned container home architects and engineers.
Architects and engineers experienced in designing container homes know every corner and profile of a shipping container’s body. This experience makes them expert at arranging containers in a most efficient configuration that requires minimal reinforcements, thus reducing costs and construction time. Love Container Homes® exemplifies this expertise, transforming containers into stunning, functional homes like the Aloha Eco Haven.
About Love Container Homes®
Love Container Homes® is a leading architecture and engineering service provider in the US and Canada, specializing in custom architectural planning, structural engineering, MEP Engineering, and modeling & rendering of shipping container projects.
We are known for transforming industrial shipping containers into modern, functional, and sustainable living spaces. We deliver container home blueprints, engineered plans, and 3D designs that cater to diverse lifestyles and locations.
Whether you are looking to build a tiny container home, a luxurious container villa, or a large commercial project, Love Container Homes® is committed to bringing your vision to life with its proven expertise. We ensure that your home is tailored to your specific needs. Our engineering expertise guarantees a safe, disaster-proof, code-compliant container home perfectly suited to your local site conditions. Share your project requirements and get a free quote now.
