Tour Video
Construction Process
Early Build Concept and Construction Video
Plans
Location
About Bill Seeber - Structural Engineer
| Project | River Forest Lookout |
| Designer and Owner | Mark Derenthal |
| Structural Engineer | Bill Seeber |
| Containers | Two 20 ft |
| Location | Epworth (Blue Ridge), Georgia, United States |
| Year | 2023 |
The River Forest Lookout is an interesting project that puts shipping container-based architecture on a pedestal – literally. The tiny retreat takes the form of a fire lookout tower-style design that consists of two containers raised 60 ft (18 m) above the forest floor in Whitfield County, Georgia.
The River Forest Lookout is situated on 14 acres (5.6 hectares) of rural land and was constructed by owner Mark Derenthal and his family. It was a painstaking job that involved transporting everything to the rural site and assembling the base and stairs, then craning the heavily modified shipping containers into position.
Visitors access the dwelling by staircase. One of the shipping containers serves as an open plan living area. This hosts a some chairs and a dining table, plus a basic kitchen with a mini-fridge, a two-burner propane-powered stove and a microwave. The bedroom area is adjacent and has a double bed. There's plenty of shelving and some storage nooks, and the container has floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight to maximize natural light inside. The second container, meanwhile, is totally taken up by a spacious bathroom which features a walk-in shower, a flushing toilet, and a sink.
Elsewhere lies a small balcony area with a table and seating for two, plus a BBQ. There's also a rooftop terrace, which is reached by a spiral staircase and contains a fire pit and some more seating.
Naturally there isn't a power grid in such a remote location so the River Forest Lookout runs fully off-the-grid with a rooftop solar panel array. Water comes from a nearby well and it has propane-powered heating, plus a small wood-burning stove, to keep the chill at bay.
Description from the Designer
"The purpose of River Forest Lookout was to create a structure where its occupants could immerse themselves in the natural beauty of a very remote off-grid location while enjoying the comforts of a traditional tiny home.
"This structure was to be very strong, be as fire resistant as possible and require as little long term exterior maintenance as possible. This was accomplished by utilizes repurposed shipping containers, a galvanized tower crane mast and tower components, metal interior framing, aluminum framed windows/trim and stainless steel ceilings. It was also to be well-insulated and provides running water, electricity, and heat year-round.
"Every detail of the Cab (container) design was done by me. In addition, I designed the rooftop deck/solar panel frames and the basket hoist system. My engineer designed the foundation, stair system, container platform, balcony and lower deck. There was no builder/general contractor on this project because I could not find someone willing to take it on. I also could not find an architect to work with me on this project because the ones I contacted wanted to take the project in completely different directions, as they envisioned it to be. Therefore, I found myself in a now familiar situation where "If it’s going to be, it’s up to me". I did spend what seemed to be endless hours on the phone and through emails with my structural engineer figuring out how to make my ideas, concepts and drawings into a safe, functional structure. A site plan and septic permit were required before a building permit was issued. There was a foundation inspection, electrical inspection and a final inspection. A certificate of occupancy has been issued."
Tour Video
Construction Process
Early Build Concept and Construction Video
Plans
Location
| Address | 639 Jacks River Rd, Epworth, GA 30541, United States | |
| Phone | +1 678-431-3901 | |
| https://www.instagram.com/riverforestlookout/ | ||
| Airbnb | https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/964364740692136214 | |
| Webpage | https://linktr.ee/riverforestlookout |
About Bill Seeber - Structural Engineer
Seeber Solutions LLC Oregon
William J. Seeber P.E. Oregon
Specializing in Tower Crane Foundations and Equipment Support Structures.
| Address | 10668 Kaufman Rd NE, Silverton, OR 97381, United States | |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 134, Silverton, OR 97381 | |
| Phone | +1 503-409-9650 | |
| SeeberSolutions@gmail.com | ||
| Website | http://seebersolutions.com/ |
Shipping Container Lookout Tower, Epworth (Blue Ridge), Georgia