Living Off-Grid in a Self-Built 20ft Shipping Container Mobile Home

In this video, we meet Joseph RM Dupuis and take a tour of his off-grid shipping container house/cabin in Ontario, Canada. Joseph built the 355 square foot shipping container using three 20 foot x 8 foot shipping containers that he modified so that the indoor space was completely open concept.

The tiny home was designed on the premise that it could be safely closed up for weeks at a time and still be secure. Joseph says he also chose to build with shipping containers because they're readily available and reasonably affordable.

The micro shipping container cabin is insulated with spray foam on the interior walls, and bats on the curtain walls that were built in the openings at the ends of the shipping containers.

For heat, Joseph installed in-floor radiant heating and a wood stove. For power, he bought a 2 kilowatt solar power system. He had a propane powered water heater for hot water in the shower and the sinks.

Since the cabin is designed to be disassembled and moved, Joseph didn't invest in digging a well, which made finding water a little tricky. He had a water tote that he would carry over to his neighbours house using a tractor, and this would last him for about a month/month and a half. He left a roughed in space for a composting toilet inside the cabin, but opted to use an outhouse instead.

Joseph lived a minimalist lifestyle in the house for over 2 years before moving into an apartment. He enjoyed his time living off-grid and used it to spend time in nature and to reflect on his life.

Thanks for watching!

Mat & Danielle

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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.

[MoPoppins]

Non-introverts usually have NO idea how fun it is to be an innie. It's a very rich, inner world, and there's always something new to discover and geek out over. :)

[madogblue]

Great, low cost, durable useable alternative house with a reasonable amount of living space. No ridiculous micro sleeping lofts

[Mrwillyface]

Love how safe this is once you lock the containers. Don’t need to worry about being robbed

[tonylocks]

For security, structure, wear n tear. This is one of the best ideas ive seen yet.
As long as you can get those containers transported to your remote location, its fantastic. 👍🏽👍🏽

[obfuscated]

This particular design is PRACTICAL and not the usual bullshit container videos on Youtube. It's very, very well executed. While new 20-footers suited his particular use case, if you have the space you can get more than twice the internal room by substituting 40' High Cube (9'6") containers instead. Those are available with doors on both ends. I suggest getting "one trip" (essentially new) containers for a home. My 40' HC with doors on both ends was 5500 bucks delivered on the East coast. I used two 40' HC WWT (Wind and Water Tight) grade containers for my shop but if I did it over again I'd get One Trip containers and avoid the rust removal and coating hassles.

I've read some stories and seen photos of this cabin and just found this video. This is really nice. Well done young man.

[racer]

Containerhouses should be officially recommended for eathquake-prone areas. The worst what could happen is to shift it to the old place.

[gsarjos]

Nicely done and a great example of what you can do without breaking the bank

[Sheilamaizi]

This is very close to what I am looking for. I love it!!! Excellent place to live. It is roomy.

[kestrel]

Fabulous location and a beautiful home. I agree, that solitude, silence, nature and creativity are the best things.

[carrie]

Boring??? Heck no! More like a dream come true! Saying Adios to life as a cog in the machine and living alone off grid with his dog in the middle of nature is the way life should be lived. !

[gstapleton]

Nature always have something new to offer. Keep it up. Way to go.. Thumbs up.

[SusanPariseau]

Just for information purposes, in case you did not know. There is a device that makes water out of air. I found it while searching to make my future container home self sufficient/off the grid. It may be worth looking into so you don't have to truck your water and you could then put a toilet in your home rather than the out house. You did a great job and I can see why you enjoy it. I wish you much happiness in your life.

[LarsonFamilyFarm-LLC]

nice..only needed a well drilled and a well pump....water is everything

[joyfatbyte]

Liked it, needed it closer to water source that was fully accessible & reliable.

[LulasticHippyshake]

Really inspiring. This would make a great option for a summer house or something - you'd feel super safe and secure leaving it all locked up and inaccessible for large amounts of time.

[ratgreen]

Great video. Man I'm so jealous. I would oo this in a heartbeat if I could find a nice plot of land and not be overwhelmed with unnecessary planning permissions etc.

[srf]

"I like simple, well thought out ideas ..." exactly

[alrachid]

I just love all the alternative ways that people can live! Could you imagine if all the people lived in these ways then it wouldn't even be an alternative, it would be the norm. And then we would find ourselves looking for the new alternative.

[veganchaatparty]

Super Superb!!! Amazing design!!! Super Worthy life!!!! You are super Amazing!!!! Super salute to your courage and will to try something different!!! Your super sweet home is super great!!! Thank you for sharing this with God super bless