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Phillips | Mare Residence
Located on 1.10 acres of unincorporated land in Maricopa County, this residence started as a unique experiment into the possibility of whether shipping containers are a viable alternative to traditional residential architecture. Paired with a multitude of sustainability practices and initiatives, this site was a deep dive into architectural typologies for "off the grid" style homes.
Often considered a design “faux pas” due to performance and constructability concerns, the typology immediately prompted early conversations about alternative more effective approaches. The clients, however, were motivated less by novelty than by experimentation—they truly wanted to test whether a container conversion could function as a arizona residence. Their framing of the project as a practical experiment changed the design process into a collaborative exploration of the most fun kind.
PROJECT TYPE:
Residential Architecture | Sustanability
YEARS:
2020 - 2023
IN COLLABORATION WITH:
Architect - Linnea Brudenell, AIA.
Engineer - Richard M. Anderson, P.E. CFM
PHASES INVOLVED:
Schematic Design
Design Development
Construction Documentation & Permitting
PRE-DESIGN
The clients prioritized privacy and long-term sustainability, approaching the project as an opportunity to test a variety of off-grid strategies suited to the Sonoran Desert environment. Experimental goals included rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and on-site solar energy generation, alongside the use of thermal mass walls to help moderate extreme desert temperature swings.
Implemented over three phases, the project documents the gradual development of a raw desert site into a private, self-sufficient residence, including the installation of water, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure.
"Rammed Earth Walls anchoring the lightweight container forms; evoking the quiet presence of desert ruins embedded within the terrain."
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
The Design Development phase focused on translating the conceptual strategies into practical and economical construction details.
While the experimental nature of the project had been anticipated, the process revealed the inherent difficulty of adapting standardized construction systems to a shipping container structure. Off-the-shelf building products rarely aligned with the dimensional constraints of the containers or supported the project’s thermal performance goals, making cost control and constructability ongoing challenges.
As a result, extensive research into alternative detailing strategies, material assemblies, and construction resources capable of bridging the gap between experimental design intent and practical implementation also became a focus. A huge resource during this phase was The Modern Home Project; a project spearheaded by Ben Uyeda focusing on zero energy home living, and container conversions. (linked below)
EARLY SITE & DESIGN IMAGES
CONSTRUCTION
The construction of Phase I was tedious, and the county required a multitude of revisions and explanations due to the unique nature of the project.
Each hiccup met was another opportunity to discover a solution. Although challenging, the clients were invested an determined. The process, from submission of the permit set to comletion, took over 3 years. At this time, we worked closely with Linnea Brudenell, AIA to insure our set was up to the standards, and that submission of the established CD set was in accordance with county requirements.
CONCLUSION
In conculsion, the overall costs to construct Phase I, primarily concerning the main house and utilities, were high. This was as expected in our initial hypothesis.
The container, with R-7 insulation and two ductless mini-split units, preformed well during the high heat of the summer months. Interior space was compact, yet purpousfully laid out and remarkably comfortable.
Sadly, Phase II and III will not be constructed, as career opportunities elsewhere necessitated the clients to sell the property. However, we hypothesize that the off-grid strategies proposed would greatly reduce long-term costs typically associated with traditional housing, even if containers themselves aren’t always the most viable answer.
