“The home should be the treasure chest of living.”
– Le Corbusier
Olsen House is a perfect example of how to create a unique and sustainable home by combining different building methods and materials. By incorporating both converted containers and brick-and-mortar building methods, a beautiful and functional home can be created that meets the owner’s needs and exceeds their expectations.
One of the biggest advantages of container homes is their versatility and flexibility in design. During the Olsen House design process, containers proved to be most appropriate for the more private areas of the home. Two twelve-meter containers combine to form the main bedroom suite on one side of the house, while three six-meter containers create a guest suite opposite. It was necessary to combine containers as these private spaces are designed with luxury in mind, and need to be large enough to accommodate luxury beds and other furniture.
While the containers provide a solid foundation for the home, it is necessary to incorporate other building methods to create a functional and livable space. The spacious public areas of the home are constructed from more traditional brick-and-mortar. The composite walls consist of an inner and outer layer of fired clay brick, with 40mm polystyrene sandwiched between them for insulation. Galvanized brickforce is included in every three courses in order to reinforce the walls so that they meet structural requirements.
Building with such a wide variety of materials comes with its own particular challenges. The individual properties of each substance and construction type need to be taken into consideration. The metal walls of the converted containers expand and contract differently from the brick-and-mortar walls. For this reason, no structural bond will be created between the two materials. They simply adjoin each other, and the edges of these joints are worked to accommodate a silicon seal to prevent water penetration.
Every home should be a reflection of its owner’s personality and lifestyle, and it is already clear that the combination of converted containers and brick-and-mortar building methods will result in a unique home that will be loved for generations. The containers provide a modern and industrial feel, while the brick walls give the house a warm and comforting atmosphere.
The different structural elements in the design of Olsen House will continue to be celebrated here, as more finishing touches are added to the home!
“The best way to predict the future is to design it.”
– Buckminster Fuller