Shipping Container Homes & Buildings: Asian-Inspired 4 Bedroom 4,000 sqft Shipping Container Home, Vancouver, Washington

Asian-Inspired 4 Bedroom 4,000 sqft Shipping Container Home, Vancouver, Washington

Location

Containers	11 containers
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3.5
Estimated property price	$1,242,000 (2025)
Area	4,000 sq ft (370 sqm)
Location	Vancouver, Washington
Year	2015

Near the Washington–Oregon border, one man’s bold vision has transformed an ordinary idea into a remarkable home. Located on S.E. 164th Avenue in Vancouver, WA, the residence is built from 11 multicolored shipping containers, assembled into a truly unique architectural statement.

“The owner built it himself, and everything is executed perfectly,” says listing agent Louise James. She explains that the owner—who works in the import and export industry—sketched out his concept after friends told him it couldn’t be done. “He put it on paper and said, ‘This is what I want.’ The result is an incredible masterpiece.”

Construction on the 4,000-square-foot home began in 2015 and wrapped up two years later. During the build, HGTV featured the project on the first season of “Container Homes.” The finished property includes four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, with design inspirations from around the world.

Step inside, and surprises greet you at every turn. The home blends East and West, featuring a Japanese garden, authentic tearoom with original floor padding and wooden entry steps, and Tibetan prayer wheels at the front door. In the courtyard, a koi pond lined with aquarium glass allows you to watch the fish from inside the house, visible from a sunken conversation area.

Some areas still showcase the industrial look of shipping containers, while others reveal luxurious finishes. Ceilings soar at least nine feet high, with large windows, natural wood, and drywall softening the space. “You forget you’re even in a container house until you glance back at the red container entryway,” James notes.

The kitchen is cleverly divided into three distinct zones—for prep, cooking, and dining/entertaining—with a hidden pantry that can be closed off by a container door. Upstairs, a glass-enclosed mezzanine overlooks the main living area and could serve as an office, classroom, or craft studio.

Throughout the home, natural elements like wood and stone abound. The owner even hand-chiseled the bathroom sinks. The master suite, located in a container decorated with koi fish art, feels like a treehouse thanks to the nearby creek and surrounding trees.

Outdoors, an expansive kitchen with ample seating complements an orchard of nine fruit varieties. From the property you can glimpse the Columbia River, yet despite its proximity to the freeway and airport, the home feels peaceful and secluded. “Inside, you’d never guess you’re close to traffic,” James says. “It’s serene and quiet—a world apart.”