Buying Shipping Containers Design Drawings

[Lorenzo Luevano]

Good afternoon,

I have always been fascinated about all the possibilities shipping containers can bring to projects.While I am not an architect, I plan on putting containers on lots as a rental investment( houses and apartments). Do you have any suggestions on how I can start? Some of the ideas I have stumble upon are, buying some shipping containers design plans from architecture firms and from there contract construction companies to build them. I already have some design ideas in mind, hopefully making this process less bumpy. Is it possible to buy the design plans?

Thanks for your time,

Lorenzo Luevano.

[Jared W Smith]

In the architecture realm this concept has been around for some time. I am an architect and have read several related articles. The logistics of their use for housings is not what one would think. 

As @Chris Seveney mentioned, the local zoning and building codes could make utilizing them very difficult. However the main problem is developers and general public think you can just buy them and stack them up and cut openings where you need and viola you have a house. Not the case. The containers are designed for their use, transport contents. When you cut openings, you severely undermine their structural capabilities. Then theirs always windows, MEP and HVAC. Plus in areas with temperature swings will required moderate to heavy insulation. Unless the plans have taken all these things into consideration, then they aren't worth  purchasing. AND even if they have this well thought out plan, the cost of fabrication and construction will rival a traditional new build.