Plans
Construction
Video
Location
About Tassie Containers
| Project | Yarrabee |
| Manufacturer | Tassie Containers |
| Containers | 5 |
| Area | 150 m² (1,600 ft²) |
| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Year | 2023 |
| Budget | $230,000 |
| Price | $1,350,000 |
| Location | Tasmania, Australia |
A pair of newlyweds are embracing an unconventional approach to home ownership by building their dream house out of shipping containers amid sky-high building costs and a challenging real estate market.
The Flowerpot couple tied the knot in November 2022 and wanted to see how far they could get building a home with a small budget and a bit of DIY.
They hope to inspire other young Tasmanians trying to break into the housing market.
“This was a good opportunity for us to have a beautiful home, in the location we want without the massive expenses that come with a traditional build,” owner Kiara Rolf said, “It’s been a pretty awesome journey and adventure to go on with your partner.”
The build began in February 2023 and the Rolfs hope to have it finished by August 2023.
The couple has learned plenty of new skills throughout the process of assisting the builder, with plumber Josh also lending his expertise.
“We chose to do this as a way to be creative, think outside the box in terms of building and not going down that conventional route and being more eco-friendly, sustainable and recycle something,” Mrs Rolf said.
“If we went conventional, one of our wages would completely go to the mortgage,” she said.
The original quotes they received for a conventional home ranged from $550-730k for just two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
With their $230k budget for their shipping container home, the couple will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
“The main thing you save so much money with is you avoid the framing costs, in that period you can wait up to three weeks so you avoid that process completely.”
“With the containers, it went from nothing to a whole house structure in 12 hours,” Mrs Rolf said.
The newlyweds bought the block of land back in 2017 and previously lived in Kingston, Tasmania but wanted to get out of the suburbia lifestyle for more space, land and views.
The couple received inspiration for their build on social media and had a practice run converting a 40-foot container into a home and sold it in 2022.
The couple bought their pre-furbished spaces from family owned Tassie Containers.
Director Wayne Silver said they saw an opening in the market for custom conversion, where they could offer a more affordable alternative for building.
With five shipping containers, tons of imagination, research, and hard work, the Rolf family created something remarkable.
Kiara and Josh Rolf’s sleek and stylish shipping container home is just the type of showstopper that fits snugly on this 2.18ha leafy green block of land at Flowerpot with water views.
Mrs Rolf said they had put the property on the market so that they can follow their next construction project dream.
“The original plan was to build something budget-conscious in our dream location,” she said.
“But things evolved. With our builder, and with Josh and I doing a lot of the work ourselves, we created a really beautiful home with a few splurges on high quality finishes.
“It turned into a spectacular property, simply stunning; we are so proud of what we have achieved.”
No.59 Rainbirds Rd is known as Yarrabee. It offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms across its two levels.
The upstairs layout provides a seamless flow between the wraparound polished concrete balcony through to the open-plan living, dining and state-of-the-art kitchen.
Thoughtful, even artistically designed throughout, there are curves and fabulous joinery in the kitchen that grab attention. It is a prime example of how the Rolfs found ways to off-set or balance the square container exterior. The curved shape of the bath and the circular mirrors add a similar appeal.
Large picture windows and bi-fold sliding glass doors allow an abundance of natural light to flood the space, while offering breathtaking views of the water and surrounding landscape.
Hidden behind a secret door, the laundry offers heaps of storage and there is a powder room, too.
The tranquil master bedroom features a huge ensuite with the luxury of underfloor heating and a bathtub.
Downstairs, the floorplan includes two bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, a main bathroom with separate powder room, and an entrance foyer with floor-to-ceiling shelving — perfect for a study or library nook.
As the property sits on five acres of land, it provides ample room for outdoor activities and gardening.
The Buckland sandstone in the grounds is a highlight, giving the home a natural “built into the hill” feel. Spotted gum features soften the exterior while adding warmth to the steel.
Additional features include:
- Separate 12x9m powered shed with automated doors and wood heater
- 2 x bathrooms with underfloor heating plus 2 x powder rooms
- Large polished concrete wrap around entertainers' deck with fireplace and raised platform, perfect for a hot tub (STCA)
- Stunning chefs kitchen with thermolaminate joinery, concealed pantry, integrated dishwasher, curved stone bench top and stone splash-back, pot filler tap and gas cooktop
- Air conditioning, ceiling fans and panel heaters throughout
- Double glazing throughout
- Fully enclosed chicken coop
- Econo cycle septic system
- Fully fenced paddock approximately 1/2 acre
- Hardwired security cameras
- Hardwired Starlink internet connection with satellite dish
Plans
Construction Process
Video
Location
Address:59 Rainbirds Rd, Flowerpot TAS 7163, Australia
About Tassie Containers
Tassie Containers are the experts in custom container design and fit-out. Tassie Containers can tailor a solution to meet your needs, whatever the application.
Containers provide a versatile and cost effective solution to building a portable or permanent building space.
Bring your ideas to Tassie Containers and they will work with you to turn them into reality.
Available Features
- Roller & Access Doors
- Glass Doors & Windows
- Security Lock Boxes
- Whirlybird Ventilators
- Electrical and Plumbing Installations
- Joinery and Flooring Solutions
- Signage
- Insulation & Climate Control
- Re-Spraying & Painting
| Address | 61b Crooked Billet Dr, Bridgewater TAS 7030, Australia | |
| Phone | +61 439 334 111 | |
| Phone | +61 419 174 894 | |
| wayne@tassiecontainers.com.au | ||
| zac@tassiecontainers.com.au | ||
| Website | https://www.tassiecontainers.com.au/ |
Yarrabee - Beautiful 150 m² Shipping Container Home, Tasmania, Australia