At long last, the house is what I am calling 99.9998% complete! I have a very short list of unfinished items, most of which I can do in a day or two. But yesterday and today Cynthia and I staged the house and took photos inside and out. Here is a video with 93 pictures. To save you from me imposing my music choice on you, there is no sound. You can make it full-screen if you like:
So that’s it. Five-and-a-half years and all I have to show for it is 93 lousy photos!
I still hope to make a nice video. Stay tuned.
That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by.
FANTASTIC!
THANK YOU!
WOW!!! You two have done such an amazing job! The amount of creative talent, attention to detail, and the tremendous amount of work shows. Your home and garden look sooooooo beautiful and awesome. Well done!
Hi Alexia,
Thanks so very much! Did you happen to notice the lovely cat painting in the kitchen? The colors are perfect. Thanks Alexia. Fred
“You’ve come a long way baby.” It looks amazing. I will have to see it in person some day soon. Congratulations.
xoxo Diana
Hey Diana,
Thanks! And yes, come soon! Fred
Hi Fred,
Been following you for the last 3 years and I amazed on what you have accomplished, congratulation! I will build soon in Costa-Rica and for sure I will be inspired by your patience and ingenuity!
Hi Seb,
Thanks, I appreciate the compliment. Have fun with your project in Costa Rica. I surprised myself with my persistence. I can’t say that I was always patient! Thanks again. Fred
Since the containers are all metal, how did you insulate it?
Hi David,
We are in a sweet spot here in the mountains. Not too hot, not too cold. Very little insulation needed here. Our windows are open 24/7/365. But if you need to insulate for heat and/or cold, investigate two-part spray urethane foam. There are videos on YouTube. Absolutely the best for many reasons. For our roofs that are exposed to the sun, I put an inch of foam and poured a few inches of concrete over the foam. No heat transfers and the roof can be used as a roof deck.
>For our roofs that are exposed to the sun, I put an inch of foam and poured a few inches of concrete over the foam. No heat transfers and the roof can be used as a roof deck.
I hadn’t thought of that! I was thinking of using 2by12’s with 3/4 inch plywood screwed down, sealed and then painted with silicon.
I asked ab’t insulation because it can get 20 below up here and with all the cold coming in and heat going out, I can’t see any way of keeping the place warm!
For 20-below, I would build out the inside of the containers with 2x4s and fill the cavities with spray foam. I would leave a space between the 2x4s and the container for some foam so that the cold doesn’t wick through the 2x4s to the face of the drywall or whatever your interior sheathing is. This is a place to start…
Really beautiful…When I first visited you around 5 years ago, I thought that you were crazy. Now, not as far as construction goes 🙂
Hi Jon,
Thanks Jon. I think one has to be crazy, or at least a little bit wacky, to tackle a container house as it has never been done. I guess I am a creative wacko! Thanks. Fred
What more can we say than WOW and BRAVO! Well, I guess I CAN say ditto to Alexia’s comments. Deserves Architectural Digest attention…seriously!
Gracias
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
As always Patricia, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all your compliments, comments, and support. Cynthia just contacted HOUZZ the other day, we’ll see. Fred
Great idea Cynthia, to contact HOUZZ… I have used them over the years, though I always seem to go my own way anyway, but nothing like the PIZAZZ you guys have managed!
Cheers
Incredible job, I’m so glad I found your blog and was able to follow your progress. Congratulations to you and Cynthia, what in the world will you do with all your free time now?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your compliment. I am happy that I was able to keep you entertained. What’s next? It won’t be more containers, but stay tuned! Fred
A W E S O M E !!!
…no worries – you find something to build!
Probably a massive SOLAR-power station on the roof with 2 or 3 TESLA wall batteries!!
Next – homebuilt wind turbine!
And if all else fails – houses in Panama may be finished – they are NEVER finished MAINTAINING!! 3:)
Cheers,
Thomas
PS: Hope to come by some day again and pick your brains on Container Homing!!
Hi Thomas,
No end in sight. I just had Ramiro go around the house, wash everything and touch up paint. When he got around to the front of the house again, he commented with a wink that it was time for him to go around the house again! Thanks for your compliments, you are always welcome. Fred
An incredible masterpiece and every bit done by your own hands.
Hi Lynn,
Thanks Lynn, always appreciate your comments and compliments! Fred
fred, congrads to you and cynthia on a job well done. you should both be right proud. happy holidays, d.
Hi Dee,
Thank you very much. Yes, I guess you could say that we are right proud — we love how it turned out. Happy holidays to you, too. Fred
After 5-1/2 years I, as I am sure many others, feel as though I have gotten to know you and Cynthia through your amazing project. What a stunning home you two have built with love, and now you can really enjoy it. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing the whole process with us.
Hi Lenel,
You are very welcome, I have been happy to share our story with you and with the world. Thanks very much for your compliment. Fred
Fred and Cynthia,
It looks Great! You’ve done an amazing job. Thanks for sharing the photos. I just tuned into your site recently and got to be here when you’ve finished your five year journey. I left a question for you under the About section.
Well done,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks very much for your comment and compliments. I’ll go to the About page for your question… Fred
Stunning, but these pictures only tell half of the story. Perhaps interjecting some of the sweat and toil would add some realism, or have you had enough of that? Just kidding. You and Cynthia are a model of dedication.
Hi Don,
That’s a good idea. Panamanian workers have a gesture that they do — with the side of their index finger, they wipe the sweat from their brow (even if there isn’t any…) and shake the finger toward the ground. It helps to bend over a bit and make the motions exaggerated. The boss feels bad for them and says he will find work for them in the shade. But of course he doesn’t! Thanks Don. Fred
Fabulous! What a great outcome!
Hi Barbara,
Good to hear from you and thanks for the nice compliment! Fred
Congratulations Fred and Cynthia!
Not only is it an amazing piece of inhabitable art, but it looks like it will be very comfortable to live in and enjoy.
Hoping to see you in town.
JimT
Hi Jim,
Inhabitable art. I like that. Thanks Jim. We are enjoying every minute in it! Fred
I cannot believe it was at El Valle all along!!!! I have a house near el mercado and have loved watch the progress of the house!
Hi Michelle,
Yup, we are right here in little old El Valle. On the rim up near Michael and Bob. It is a sweet neighborhood. Thanks, and I am glad you enjoyed my story. Fred
Are you I can Boquete? We are visiting from the States and thought maybe you wouldn’t mind visitors?
Sorry for the delay, I haven’t looked at my blog in months… We are in El Valle de Anton, up in the mountains from Coronado and the beaches.
I was looking up how to create a cheap septic and came across your blog. This place you all created is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you very much.