The House

A debt-free, off-grid L-shaped container home built in Cuba, New Mexico.

6 Containers Total

L-Shaped Layout

East-Facing Entrance

Off-Grid Solar

The Concept

Building a home from shipping containers isn't just a cost decision — it's a structural philosophy. Steel containers are engineered to stack and withstand tremendous loads, making them an ideal foundation for a permanent home in rural New Mexico.

The goal is simple: build debt-free, build strong, build with intention — no loans, no mortgage. Each phase completed before the next begins.

The east-facing entrance is not an aesthetic choice — it is a cultural requirement. In Navajo tradition the home entrance faces east toward the rising sun and the sacred eastern mountain. This home honors that.

The L-Shape Layout

Six shipping containers arranged in an L-shape — four 40ft containers forming the two bars, two 20ft containers filling the open SW corner. Total foundation footprint approximately 100ft x 100ft.

West bar — N-S — living zone

→ Open plan living + dining + kitchen
→ Sliding glass doors — south wall
→ Collapsing walls to south bar
→ Quarter bath for guests
→ South + courtyard views

Open Deck

NE corner — outdoor living space

East entrance faces Nacimiento Mountains →

Stargazing, morning sun, open skies

SW corner — two 20ft containers

→ Office along south wall
→ Connects west + south bars
→ Layout still being refined

Fills the open corner of the L

South bar — E-W — private zone

→ East-facing main entrance
→ Main bedroom — murphy bed + gym
→ Primary bath — shower + soaking tub
→ Guest / flex room
→ Year-round greenhouse
→ Utilities — solar, tankless, pantry
→ Skateboard deck display wall

↑ North -Cuba,NM location → East — entrance faces Nacimiento Mtns ↓ South — path runs along home and wooden fence line ← West — mesa cliffs

Floor Plan

Floor Plan Diagram

Detailed floor plan coming soon — showing room layout, container placement, entrance orientation, and courtyard space

Off-Grid Systems

At 6,900ft elevation with exceptional solar exposure, Cuba NM is ideal for off-grid living. The home is designed around three core systems.

☀️ Solar Power

8-12kW solar panel system
Lithium battery bank — 20-30kWh storage
Inverter and charge controller
Sized for winter production at high elevation

Solar system photo
coming soon

💧 Water

Municipal water from Village of Cuba
Water line trenched below frost line — DIY dig
Tankless water heater in utilities room
Rainwater catchment via angled L-shaped roof into cisterns
Rainwater feeds garden irrigation system

Water system photo
coming soon

♻️ Septic

Full septic system — NM Environment Dept approved
Percolation test required before design
Sized for full household use plus guest capacity

Site photo
coming soon

Roof & Structure

The roof mirrors the L-shape of the containers below — an angled design that serves two purposes: weather protection and rainwater catchment. The pitch channels water into cisterns that feed the garden irrigation system. Likely to house solar panels too.

Angled L-shaped roof
Pitched to direct rainwater toward cisterns — every drop of precipitation captured and used.
Spray foam insulation
Full spray foam throughout all containers — essential for New Mexico temperature extremes from sub-zero winters to intense summer heat at elevation.
Collapsing interior walls
Moveable 3-inch wall panels between the west and south bars — open up for gatherings, close down for winter warmth and privacy.
Container wall preservation
Not all container walls between adjoining bins will be fully cut — preserving structural integrity while creating connected living spaces.

Roof Design Photo

Placeholder — coming soon

Container Structure Photo

Placeholder — coming soon

Build Progress

Real-time documentation of the house build as it happens — from foundation prep to finished home.

Active — 2026 Phase 0

Foundation Area Clearing Underway

The 100ft x 100ft foundation footprint area is being cleared of sagebrush and juniper by hand. Southwest corner target range clearing nearly complete. Survey boundary markers confirmed with Keith.

📸 Photo Progress Log