Affordable Housing - Modular Cargo Container Home
Introduction: Affordable Housing - Modular Cargo Container Home
Hi! I'm <PERSON>, a freshman in High School. I have decided to make an affordable housing unit out of shipping containers that can be arranged in a multitude of ways. With both a housing crisis and environmental crisis in California today, I believe this challenge can make a difference by spawning new ideas about how to incorporate affordability and sustainability into one. By using used shipping containers to build a home, we can cut down on waste while also using a cost-friendly method of homebuilding to make homes accessible to all.
Supplies
The only supplies I needed were a computer and Autodesk Fusion 360®.
Step 1: Step 1: Make the Container
I started out this challenge with the main material of the housing development, a shipping container.
To make this, I scaled down the original dimensions of the shipping container from feet to millimeters and doubled it to make a 40mm x 16mm x 19mm rectangle. From here, I put indentations into the sides of the rectangle using the line tool and cut tool. These indentations were 1.2mm wide total, 0.5mm long diagonal indents along with .6mm wide inside length. To make this process go quicker, every time I cut out an indentation, I would select the faces using the rectangular pattern tool and input 18 after selecting the correct axis along the rectangle. For the side, however, I only input 10 for the number of mirrored indents.
After I made the indentations, I cut them to 1mm far from the edge. Next, I copied this method for all of the sides. Finally, I finished the container's appearance by filling in the indentations made at the edge by using the sketch rectangle and extrude tools.
Step 2: Step 2: Finish and Duplicate the Cargo Container
To finish the cargo container, I had to cut it. I used the sketch rectangle tool to draw a rectangle offset 1mm from the edge. Next, I used the extrude tool to cut the rectangle through my shipping container, creating living space.
After the container was finished, I had to duplicate it to add more area to the home. 737
I did this by selecting the body of the cargo container, right-clicking it, and subsequently pressing "Copy". After this, I clicked on "Paste" and moved the second container to the spot I wanted to.
Step 3: Step 3: Configure the Home
In my mind, my goal for this project was to create an attractive-looking two-story home out of shipping containers. This step started to realize my vision.
The first thing I did to begin configuring this home was to drag the duplicated shipping container 3mm (or 1.5ft scaled) onto the original one and then make two equidistant support beams on the other side, each with a 2mm (or 1ft scaled) diameter.
Lastly, configuring the homes, I colored both shipping containers with a metallic blue paint and then changed the physical material to steel. This is where the vision starts to realize itself.
Step 4: Step 4: Make Staircase
The next step in my design was to make the staircase connecting the two floors.
First, I sketched a rectangle that was 4mm wide and 1.5mm long (2ft x 9in) and subsequently extruded that rectangle 1.5mm for a scaled 9in height. After this, I repeated this step 9 more times, each increasing 1.5mm of height as I went.
After making the steps, It was time to change the appearance of them. I used oak wood for the staircase, and then used the sketch line and extrude tools to cut out the bottom of the steps since they would be fastened to the wall.
Finally, to finish off the staircase, I dragged it into place by using the move tool and arrows. I positioned it so that it would lead to the second cargo container. To make it accessible, I also cut a hole in the cargo container large enough so that someone could come through.
Step 5: Step 5: Make the Door/Awning
After making the hole in the cargo container, I realized it would be necessary to close the hole in the upper container. After seeing this, I decided to make a sketch of a rectangle 0.5mm by 19mm. After sketching the rectangle, I extruded it to 16mm so in the case it needed to be closed, it is able to be. To make this possible, I also added stands that could hold the door open or collapse it when necessary. This component not only acts as a door, but also as an awning. 220