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Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

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11–20 of 156 posts

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#11
post #5

While on the topic, does anyone else know of other cool things like this? Cool space. e.g. http://www.blokable.com/

More oriented to multi-unit, permanent builds: https://www.montainerhomes.com/ High-end, semi-stackable: http://kasita.com My favorite ultra-low-cost builder: http://relaxshacks.blogspot.com/ My favorite youtuber for sustainability broadly, with a focus on housing: https://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#13
I love the idea, but as-is, I think your product could more attractive if you hired an interior designer to help with the sample pictures/overall product "image".

Attractive product, unattractive design. There's nothing there to make me want your product over another company doing the same thing with more emphasis on design.

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#14
post #11
post #5

While on the topic, does anyone else know of other cool things like this? Cool space. e.g. http://www.blokable.com/

More oriented to multi-unit, permanent builds: https://www.montainerhomes.com/ High-end, semi-stackable: http://kasita.com My favorite ultra-low-cost builder: http://relaxshacks.blogspot.com/ My favorite youtuber for sustainability broadly, with a focus on housing: https://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen

+1 for https://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen

An amazing channel. My first thought about Boxhouse was, if I've ever seen you on there! You should totally make an appearance.

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#15
post #14
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More oriented to multi-unit, permanent builds: https://www.montainerhomes.com/ High-end, semi-stackable: http://kasita.com My favorite ultra-low-cost builder: http://relaxshacks.blogspot.com/ My favorite youtuber for sustainability broadly, with a focus on housing: https://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen

+1 for https://www.youtube.com/user/kirstendirksen An amazing channel. My first thought about Boxhouse was, if I've ever seen you on there! You should totally make an appearance.

Kirsten's visited us a couple of times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfqunEuw61k

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#16
I have a friend who tried this and found that he had to take a crane operating class just so he could move/transport the shipping container.

It's kind of cool to think that you could live anywhere in the world that has an open port, but how the heck do you get it off a boat in Chile or Ireland the same that's cheap and freeing?

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#17

I love the idea, but as-is, I think your product could more attractive if you hired an interior designer to help with the sample pictures/overall product "image". Attractive product, unattractive design. There's nothing there to make me want your product over another company doing the same thing with more emphasis on design.

I totally agree. We have two upcoming units which were designed by an artist and interior designer. The great thing about tiny homes and fast production is that we can iterate through design ideas really quickly. In the coming month we're going to put a big focus on aesthetic and interaction design.

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#18
post #12
post #8

Isn't it noisy when it rains? (It rains a lot here).

We use several inches of closed-cell foam insulation interior to the metal. In addition to an r-value of 15+, you're not hearing much outside:)

R15 feels a little low? Here in Michigan, for example, the ceiling requires R49. Walls require at least R20.

Re: Launch HN: Boxouse (YC W17) – Shipping-container homes

#20
I really don't understand the appeal of this. Are people really so desperate to live in an expensive city that they'd be willing to live in a box?

Also, how do you plan to get away from the image of metal box houses being tied to shanty-towns and favelas?

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