I remember watching "Grand Designs" and featuring this. From what I recollect: * They are great for the environmant and can be added to as and when you like. * They are wired, insulated and heated the same as any structure. Otherwise too hot in summer and freezing in winter. * Construction is quicker than a traditional build. * What you save on cost you may end up spending on the purchasing of the land, connecting utilities etc. * You don't build with refrigerator containers - just the normal metal ones and they are insulated and lined by a builder to be both sound proof (imagine hailstones on a metal box) and heat insulated. *They are just as safe as any other house to live-in because they still have to be signed off by building regulations. * The main disadvantage of container homes is that they are high maintenance - think about metal - it rusts. However, as the architect below shows, cladding prevents this and it looks amazing! This web link is the website from which your image has been lifted - it shares alot of info you may find useful: http://www.gapcontainers.co.uk/container-homes-uk/?gclid=CN2RkcX4p8YCFevJtAod9gcA7Q This is the Grand Designs homes & architect website. Maybe he could help you also: http://www.pb-architects.com/completed-photos/ And another article: http://www.dezeen.com/2015/01/11/grillagh-water-house-patrick-bradley-maghera-northern-ireland-farm-shipping-containers-grand-designs/ What have google searches brought up in Australia? If there isn't much post again and I will copy and past as many of UK Google links as I can! As for Oz based companies it could be worth asking reputable builders - there is no reason why a building company wouldn't stretch itself to create one - afterall it would be a string to their bow.

There was a thread on here about a home made from a shipping container ... was a few years ago ! I remember posting on it ! No idea where you can buy them ready done !!

Unless you have architectual training or knowledge of how to read drawings like engineering or technical specialists the average person cannot easily understand a 2D drawing. 3D visualizions are so much better.

(HU-905957467 here on my other account) I still prefer your previous option two. I think you will appreciate having the living space in the sunnier position, including the window seat. Your new option one has all the areas (living, dining, kitchen) in the optimum locations, but I think the pantry entrance could be awkward with the position of the island. The previous design with the false door to the pantry would look nicer and is kind of fun (will need good lighting in the pantry obviously). Also, in the new option one I think the passage through towards the garden generally seems a little crowded, between the seats on the island, utility door and coffee bar. If you did decide you prefer the kitchen at the bottom left, I think your new option two is better than the original design. I can also see that it means you don't have to worry about the chinmey breast. I do think the window seat will get more use if it is not in the kitchen - it seems a less pleasant place to sit and you already have seating at the island at a better height for chatting to someone standing up working in the kitchen. But you have to decide what works for you.