ZIGLOO DOMESTIQUE COMPLETE
Zigloo.ca and the zigloo domestique project has garnered alot of attention over the past 3 years. There have been so many newspaper columns, magazine articles and web blogs that I finally decided to get some High Quality Publication Photos taken by Nik West. This is a sample of the photos.
Nav says:
How is the building heated and is the ceiling height the original height of the container?
What was done with the original floor of the container?
Everything looks great from the exterior design to the interior.
keith says:
The heating system for the house is in the floor. Hot water tubes are integrated to the concrete floor finish. It provides year round comfortable temperatures in a very efficient hot water-on-demand boiler system.
The containers are standard 8′(w) x 20′(l) x 8.5′(h). All end of life purchased for scrap metal costs. The tops of each container were removed and the metal has been repurposed as a perimeter fence around the property’s perimeter.
Graeme rodger says:
why did you remove the tops ?, and is it possible “legally” to have them stacked and welded together ??
keith says:
I removed the tops on zigloo domestique (and on other CargoSpace Living projects) to improve the interior height of each floor. The container’s interior heights are 8′ clear from floor to underside of the ceiling. When the concrete and in-floor heating system was installed the height reduces to 7′10″. To prevent cold (and heat) from conducting through the steel lid approximately 4.5″ of insulation and framing would be necessary which would reduce the ceiling height to 7′ 5.5″. As the standard in North American buildings is a minimum 8′ ceiling height, the solution was to remove the lid, and jack up the second storey by the hight necessary for insulation and finished ceiling. The finished height of the main floor in zigloo domestique is 8′. The upper floor is a curved vault starting 7′ 10″ rising up to 10′.
High-cube containers are 9′ interior height. When it makes sense to use high-cube containers it is possible to get 8′ 7.5″ without removing the container lid.
Marko says:
How long did the project take to come together? Which part was most time consuming, was it the concrete? Lastly, what was your final cost? I absolutely love this home and am considering something similar for myself.
keith says:
It is important to remember that the zigloo domestique is a prototype. What I was trying to prove was that for the cost of building a spec quality home (low cost, builder efficient quality, suburban location), you can build designer quality (high quality, environmentally friendly, customized spaces) by using containers as the backbone of the project. In the Victoria area, spec quality building is done for about $150/sqft, while designer quality building is done for $225-$250/sqft. We were able to accomplish zigloo domestique for $180/sqft ($360,000 CDN). Of course, the cost to construct depends on labour costs in your area, but I figure we saved approximately $70/sqft ($140,000). The build took 8 months, although there was a 2 month work stoppage to wait for the correct windows to be built and delivered on site.
Luc says:
Love your home. You did a fantastic job finishing the interior. I would be interested in building something like this for myself and my family, where should I start. Any good books on the subject?
keith says:
Start with the FAQ page. It describes some of the things to consider when designing with containers. It also discribes how to reach me directly – I’d be happy to discuss your container aspirations with you some time.
serge d. holly says:
interested to buy a container home with 2 bedrooms
Alice Keeping says:
I met your Mom in Newfoundland this morning & she told me about your website….This is beautiful, Keith! Is this the home you live in yourself? Very unique idea:)
keith says:
Have a look at the Eco-Cargo and 2×4 concepts. The potential to do a custom design also exists. Check out the CONTACT page and give me a call if you would like to proceed.
keith says:
Thanks for the kind words.
We will be releasing the plans for this design later this summer.
The longevity of the containers has been proven by the industry that supports and maintains them in the roughest conditions on earth … the open ocean. I am confident that with relatively simple maintenance, these structures could easily last a century or more.