Shipping container converted into a cyclone shelter

[Bill55]

Cyclone shelter

Find a good condition container, transport it to my island, get an engineer to design cyclone-proof footings, get a crane to position it, design interior layout, find cyclone-proof doors and windows and get welder to install these and weld container to footings. Then paint interior, and source appropriate furniture, and get electrician and plumber to wire and plumb it. Wired it into a 10KW solar battery storage used by the main house.

Materials

Container from ABC

Windows and doors from Latham’s Steel, WA

Furniture from garage sales

Toilet: Mondello Concerto, Bunnings

Shower mixer: Methven, Bunnings 

Tools

Steps

Step 1

Find reasonably priced container with minimal rust. Then arrange transport via ferry to Magnetic Island.

Step 2

Get engineer to design cyclone proof footings 

Step 3

Find crane to put containers in position, and time it so the cost of bringing the crane on the barge could be shared with other jobs on the island.

 

Step 4

Design interior layout. Eg. Does it need shower? Decided to put it outside (it’s FNQ so hot enough) to save internal space. 

Step 5

Choose style, as this affects what furniture and appliances. Wanted something cosy so went with retro/granny-flat/Victorian with walls and shutters hand painted by a

 

 

local artist. A butlers sink, high gloss solid timber furniture, retro lighting, tea pot with cosy, and an antique chaise longue added to the feel. In first photo container door is open, but normally this is closed.

Step 6

Landscaped around it by adding plants and pavers with pebbles to soften its look.

[MitchellMc]

What a fantastic project @Bill55! I'm sure you are really pleased with the results.

I think this is the first time I've seen a shipping container with such an impressive vanity; I love what you did there.

Many thanks for sharing.

Mitchell

[davidmorcom]

Bill

Your container looks interesting. I am currently working on a container project in Bowen and would be grateful if you can provide a little more info on your awning design?

What size is it? 

Is it welded directly to the top rail?

Does it have any additional structural support?

How cyclone proof do you think it is?

As I am building in a similar cyclonic region (Bowen NQ) any info/ideas would be appreciated. At present my thought is to minimise additional external bits but I do need to include some awnings for window/door weather protection and am currently exploring options.

thanks

David

[EricL]

Hello @davidmorcom 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Let me tag @Bill55 to make them aware of your questions. The average weight of a 40ft shipping container is around 4 tons. If you include the welded footings, it should be fairly safe from strong cyclonic winds. Let's wait for bill to fill in the rest of the details of their build.

Eric

[Bill55]

Standard 40ft container 

The footings were designed by an engineer, and were about a meter of steel set in concrete and then welded to top rail of container.

No additional support needed.

It’ll handle a very severe cyclone.

The windows and doors are usually the weak point, but I’ve sourced cyclone-proof insulated and lockable ones from WA.

Awnings were offcuts from when the holes were made for doors/windows, so strong steel, welded on.

I put the shower outside to increase space inside. 

[EricL]

Hello @Bill55 

Thank you for sharing that extra information about your cyclone shelter. Let me tag @davidmorcom to make them aware of your recommendations.

Eric

[davidmorcom]

@Bill55 thanks for the info... the awning is the bit of most interest. Is the awning just welded to the top rail with no additional structural support? How far out does the awning come from the side of the container? Do you have a feel for how far out it could come out while still maintaining structural strength ie maximum awning width/size?

Thanks David