Location
| Builder and Owner | Brenda Kelly, IQ Container Homes |
| Containers | 2 containers (1x 40ft, 1x 20ft) |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 1 |
| Estimated property price | $635,000 (2025) |
| Area | 45 sqm (485 sq ft) |
| Location | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Year | 2017 |
This eye-catching compact dwelling, fashioned from two shipping containers, was the first of its kind to achieve an 8 Homestar sustainability rating.
Originally built as a prototype by Brenda Kelly—the founder of IQ Container Homes—it served as her eco show home for three years before being successfully rented out for the past seven. Now, as Kelly winds down her TaupÅ-based business, the Titirangi, Auckland property is being offered for sale.
Set high on a steep, bush-covered 2,427 m² (26,124 ft²) section to take advantage of the views, the 45m² house reflects Kelly’s long-standing fascination with small spaces—something she says began as a teenager sketching tiny rooms and furniture layouts. She spent considerable time perfecting the plan, which combines a 40ft and a 20ft container placed at right angles on deep piles.
A 30m² deck at the rear functions as an outdoor entertaining area, protected by a clear arched pergola with roll-down plastic panels to keep out the wind—making it a comfortable retreat even in winter.
The larger container houses the entry, living room, kitchen, bathroom and main bedroom, while the smaller one contains a flexible space that works as either an office or guest room, opening directly onto the deck. A wall bed folds down, the desk converts to a bed, and a movable wardrobe can act as a divider.
Inside, every centimetre has been maximised. Even the corner sofa doubles as storage and unfolds into a double bed, allowing up to seven people to sleep in the home.
True to its 8 Homestar status, the property delivers excellent energy efficiency and sustainability. It’s fully insulated with UPVC double-glazed joinery and powered by a 2kW grid-connected solar system. Materials were carefully chosen: standard-sized plywood, low-VOC paints and adhesives, high-spec insulation, and 100% recyclable Smart Plank timber flooring. Kelly says almost no waste was produced during construction.
Rainwater is collected for use in the laundry and toilet—cutting water costs by as much as 45%—and wastewater is treated through a vermiculture system where tiger worms break it down naturally. A separate gray water tank handles dishwasher waste to protect the worms from salts.
The home meets Healthy Homes standards and has previously rented for $510 per week. Kelly explains she is closing her container-home company because tighter council rules and forthcoming building-code changes are making the work increasingly difficult and costly. “It’s been a great 12 years,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed it and delivered a number of projects along the way.”
Built by IQ Container Homes—one of New Zealand’s pioneers in container construction—this contemporary 45 m² two-bedroom, one-bathroom residence delivers modern style with impressive sustainability credentials:
- Homestar 8 certified, recognising its outstanding energy efficiency and environmentally conscious design
- Fully insulated with UPVC double-glazed doors and windows, LED lighting, a heat pump, and a 2 kW grid-connected solar array
- Rainwater harvesting supplies the toilet and laundry, while a worm-based (vermiculture) septic system provides natural waste treatment
- Healthy Homes compliant and previously rented at $510 per week, complete with dual-purpose furnishings and energy-efficient appliances
What Makes It Special
- Relocatable & adaptable: The home can be lifted and transported or on-sold if required
- Eco-conscious, low-cost living: Excellent insulation, solar power, Energy Star appliances, and water recycling combine to minimise running costs
This property presents a rare blend of sustainable living, flexibility, and income potential in a tranquil coastal setting.
Location
Address 19 Rauhuia Crescent, Parau, Auckland 0604, New Zealand
Links
https://www.stuff.co.nz/home-property/360827951/trailblazing-container-house-titirangi-listed-first-time
https://www.realestate.co.nz/42882432/residential/sale/19-rauhuia-crescent-parau