Container House Perfection: The Stunning Roca Box Hop Cantilever Home

At TeenyAbode, we have been researching the latest trends in housing and have come across an exciting new concept – the container house. In this article, we explore the benefits of container homes and showcase a stunning example of the Roca Box Hop, a cantilever container house nestled between two cliffs.

The Roca Box Hop is a unique shipping container house designed by Seth and Emily Britt, who had no prior design experience. The house comprises two 40-foot containers and a 20-foot container, with a traditionally framed tower featuring a gold roof.

In the heart of Hawking Hills, Ohio’s most visited state park, lies a 75-acre property with breathtaking views of natural rock formations and black sandstone. For one family, this place holds a special significance.

“I grew up coming here with my family, hiking trips, repelling trips on the rock faces,” said the owner. His father, who worked in construction, would always take them repelling.

One can find the Roca Box Hop, a unique shipping container house near one of the two waterfalls on this property. The 70-foot waterfall can be heard from afar, and the Brit family cookout space is beside it. The owners fell in love with this location and decided to buy the property. The construction of the Roca Box Hop took only five months, but it was challenging.

The design of the house required structural engineering to raise the ceiling to meet Ohio’s requirements for insulating roofs. Despite their lack of experience, Seth and Emily felt confident in their families’ expertise in environmental construction to guide them along the way. The siding and living roof were chosen to blend into the environment, resulting in a whimsical design that perfectly fits its surroundings.

This house is very eclectic. It’s very whimsical. So Seth actually had the idea from the black key song to do gold on the ceilings and that totally complemented all the accents in this house and my like weird twist to the aesthetic in here. So not only was the ceiling gold but as you can see crazy wallpaper, yellow, gold, just very bright and that’s a huge feature of this house as well.

It is constructed with meticulous attention to structural integrity, evident in the welds that hold the metal containers together, ensuring they can withstand the weight of shipping containers stacked eight high, each loaded with over 40,000 pounds. The living roof is a new addition to the container house, and the Brit family is still acclimatizing to its upkeep. The construction of the Roca Box Hop took five months, utilizing a plasma cutter (that they bought on Amazon) and documentation from structural engineers to ensure proper support before cutting any holes.

The living roof is something they tried for the first time, and it took some getting used to, but they managed to forage for moss and ferns for two weeks to make it work and even planted seeds to help the environment.

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The Roca Box boasts a unique and charming aesthetic that can be attributed to its use of old, character-filled shipping containers. Despite the containers’ age (7 years) and occasional dings and dents, they provide a more affordable option without sacrificing charm. The cantilever on one of the containers extends out over the foundation by 10 feet, offering stunning views of a sandstone cliff face. The structure itself costs around $350, but the experience it provides is priceless. The house features a living roof and a hobbit-like round doorway leading to the entrance.

Interior

Inside, the container house is eclectic and whimsical, with a golden ceiling and bold, bright wallpaper. Large picture windows offer views of the stunning surroundings, and a tower-like staircase is traditionally framed above. The Roca Box proves that inexpensive materials can be transformed into a magical and unique living space with creativity and ingenuity.

As they continue exploring the interior of this unique container home, they find themselves in a small yet functional laundry area to the left. It’s impressive how they have incorporated such a usable space into this tiny home. But that’s not all; as they turn their attention to the right, they see a cleverly placed half bathroom. It is a bridge between the 20-foot container we’re currently standing in and the 40-foot container directly beside it, which has been ingeniously merged. The attention to detail in this container home is truly remarkable, and every nook and cranny has been utilized to its fullest potential.

Moving across the kitchen area, you’ll find a custom-made bookshelf arrangement that spans the entire wall. It’s the perfect way to welcome you into a cozy living space on the far end of the container. And if you’re looking for a spot to curl up with a good book, the round window nearby offers a whimsical touch and a stunning view of the surrounding rocks. It’s hard not to feel at peace in this tranquil corner of the Roca Box.

The narrow width of the shipping container limits the orientation options, so the kitchen is placed on one side to provide easy access to the stove, sink, and refrigerator. In addition, Seth and Emily emphasize the importance of incorporating windows into the design to help the space feel less cramped. Despite the challenges of working with containers, the galley kitchen is designed to be clean and functional, maximizing the limited space available.

The vibrant and eye-catching cherry red Smeg refrigerator is unmissable as we wander the kitchen. Its bold hue and retro appearance add an undeniable touch of playfulness to the eclectic interior design. Unsurprisingly, the refrigerator is well-loved by all who see it, as it brings an unparalleled sense of character to the space. Despite the unconventional layout of the home, the red Smeg refrigerator manages to stand out as a fun and unforgettable feature that perfectly embodies the whimsical atmosphere of the house.

Moving on from the Smeg, we step into the cozy living room, which provides ample space for the kids to run around and play. This part of the container house juts out from the foundation, creating a suspended feeling as we look at the breathtaking view.

Below us, there’s a drop-off, and in front, a majestic cliff face towering above. The snowflakes falling gracefully outside add to the magical feel of this tucked-in canyon. As we sit in the living room, we can’t help but feel the essence of the wilderness that surrounds us, the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Just outside as you walk down the 40 footer up here on the second floor it’s going to be really simple. So you’ve got the bedroom, bathroom in the middle and then a bedroom on the end. This is the upstairs bathroom, toilet, pedestal sink and then this shower that basically set the tone for this whole room. It is a tile that goes on just like wallpaper. You literally have to match the pattern of each piece to the next.

Conclusion

The unconventional house design and eclectic elements create a whimsical and playful atmosphere. Each space has a unique character and personality, from the bright red Smeg refrigerator in the kitchen to the gallery wall in the living room. The living room, with its suspended feeling and stunning views of the surrounding cliffs, provides a cozy retreat for relaxation.

Upstairs, the bathroom stands out with its intricate tile design setting the entire room’s tone. Despite the small space constraints of the 40-foot container, the clever incorporation of windows makes it feel open and airy. This one-of-a-kind shipping container house showcases how creativity and unconventional thinking can create a home that truly reflects the personality and character of its occupants.

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