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An influencer has surprised many by revealing she is living in her dream home – a shipping container.
Lexi Newkirk and her husband Diego have created a 624 square foot space that they absolutely adore.
Lexi and Diego Newkirk on the plot of land just after they purchased it for their home projectCredit: SWNS
The shipping container home during constructionCredit: JAM PRESS
Lexi never intended to spend a fortune on her home.
Now, at 26 years old, she and her partner estimate their monthly costs range from $300 [£223] to $600 [£455], depending on the season, thanks to a non-traditional mortgage.
The home includes a spiral staircase, a rooftop deck, and stunning views of both sunrise and sunset.
Lexi, who has over 319,000 followers online, mentioned: “We didn’t want a cookie-cutter home or a conventional path.”
“Building the container house was a significant leap of faith, but it was a decision we felt compelled to make.”
However, she acknowledges that their choice has “raised eyebrows” among those who struggle to understand it.
“Some people were instantly excited and thought it was the coolest idea ever,” Lexi shared.
“Others were skeptical and asked, ‘A…shipping container? Are you sure?’”
“Now that the house is nearly complete and they’ve witnessed the vision come to life, everyone loves it.”
A video showcasing their home has garnered over 60 million views.
The couple purchased 12.5 acres in the Hill Country, where land typically ranges from $12,000 [£8,900] to $20,000 [£14,835] per acre.
The shipping container itself cost $5,500 [£4,080] and was sourced from a local supplier.
A “huge portion” of the work was completed by the couple themselves, including framing, insulation, layout, trim, design, and painting, while specialists took care of plumbing and electrical work.
She explained: “Doing it ourselves saved us a lot, but materials and custom work can add up quickly.”
“While it’s smaller than a typical home, it’s much more functional, efficient, and peaceful.”
“To be completely honest, it wasn’t as cost-effective as we initially thought, primarily due to the custom nature of everything.”
Lexi also highlighted the difficulty of finding items that fit inside the container.
She elaborated: “From insulation and framing to plumbing, electrical work, windows, and layout, everything needs to be customized to fit the containers. Those details accumulate rapidly.”
Overall, their monthly expenses are lower compared to traditional homes.
Lexi, who hails from Austin, Texas, added: “With features like generating our own water, we’ve achieved long-term sustainability and independence, which was always part of our larger goal.”
The home includes an exterior staircase leading to the rooftop deck, which Lexi describes as “ideal for yoga, stargazing, or leisurely mornings with coffee.”
Framing, wiring, and staircase installed in the shipping container homeCredit: SWNS
The residence features an upstairs bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms, including a master bathroom with a shower facing the sunset and a heated towel rack, as well as a spiral staircase leading to the second level.
Additional highlights include large windows for natural light, a basement, and an Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) that extracts clean water from the air.
The owner of a digital marketing agency stated: “I love how connected to nature it feels.”
“One of the most impressive features is our atmospheric water generator from Aquaria, which literally pulls clean water from the air.”
“It continues to amaze us every day; it enhances the home’s sustainability and self-sufficiency.”
Lexi mentions that they frequently receive messages from individuals wanting to follow in their footsteps.
She remarked: “It’s humbling; what began as a personal project has transformed into something that inspires others to think outside the box.”
They also plan to turn their container home into an Airbnb.
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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