Adapting a shipping container can be a creative, low cost, environmentally conscious way to build your home. However, the metal container also poses challenges particularly when it comes to the building envelope. With a heavy emphasis on building science and high performance, the Shipping Container Certificate teaches you how to build a container home that keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The course will primarily focus on completing the building enclosure, mechanicals, plumbing and electrical.  Along the way, students also receive hands-on experience in basic metal cutting, welding, wood framing, window and door installation and various insulation techniques.  As time allows, we will also work on transforming the interior of the container into a livable space. We will work together to bring the project as close to completion as possible within the course schedule.

This program encompasses most phases of the design/build process and much of the content can also be applied to the design and construction of a conventional structure. Therefore, this course is applicable for anyone hoping to learn the ins and outs of the construction process. Upon completion, students will have a broad set of skills that can be applied to many different construction methods; an excellent base for any design/build undertaking!

Scholarships are available for this course. To apply, please fill out this form and select "Shipping Container Certificate."  

Reviews

I wasn't honestly sure what to expect coming into this course. I have to say that my favorite part of the class so far is all of the problem solving- this gives us a real life peek into what it would be like to be doing this on our own- there's no real formula that we're plugging parts into. It's all happening very much in real time. - 2022 Student

The strongest part of this course for me has definitely been getting past my comfort zone and doing things I never thought I could do. - 2022 Student