Sleek Shipping Container Home Rises Like a Starburst in the Desert

Transformative Shipping Container Design

You may never look at shipping container homes the same after taking a look at London designer James Whitaker's starburst-shaped shipping container house in Joshua Tree, California. Named the 0 Wagon Wheel Road after its location one mile from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, the unbuilt property was listed on several real estate sites for over $3.5 million. The project became a viral sensation when it was first unveiled in 2017. The shipping container home is truly a work of art both inside and out. From the exterior, the starburst-shaped home looks at home in its desert surroundings, and once inside the window from each end of the shipping containers displays the stunning surroundings as though they were photos placed all around the unique home.

Innovative Structure and Interior Design

The shipping container home is lifted off the rocky ground by concrete columns, with the containers arranged in all directions like a starburst, with arms pushing out in all directions. The interior has bright white walls and concrete floors, with square windows in the containers offering views of the desert surroundings. Stark interiors include the white-painted walls and concrete floors with the steel container forms emanating in all directions oriented to capture the sheer beauty of the vistas, sky, and desert-scape. Each window displays something new including Joshua Trees, incredible rock formations, mountains, and panoramic basin views.

Previous Projects by Whitaker Studio

Whitaker Studio previously proposed an affordable and unique workplace design in the Black Forest, just outside the town of Hechingen, the architectural project was also comprised of multiple shipping containers to provide a low-cost workplace, which has never been built.

Collaboration and Creative Vision

The splayed shipping containers from the Joshua Tree Residence were conceived by James Whitaker. The unique house was designed for film producer Chris Hanley, who is behind movies like America Psycho and owns a 90-acre property near the Joshua Tree wilderness preserve. Hanley tasked Whitaker to design the house based on his conceptual proposal for offices made from shipping containers called Hechingen Studio, which has also never been built. Windows offer views of the desert surroundings. The multi-million-dollar listing follows huge interest in the house since it was first unveiled.

Potential Uses for the Starburst House

Popularly known as the starburst house, this spectacular residence in Joshua tree was first unveiled in 2017 by London-based designer Whitaker studio. According to the listing, the property is located one mile from the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park in California, the shipping container project sits on 22.5 acres of land nestled into the rocky mountainside surrounded by hundreds of Joshua trees. According to the listing, the house is a private residence, but the scope could broaden as an ideal space for stargazing, horses, and those who seek tranquility for their spiritual, meditation or yoga practices.

Future Construction Plans

This shipping container property is yet to be built. Construction of the Starburst House is said to be made from 21 shipping containers and is set to start soon. The 2,000 square foot house will include three en-suite bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room, and have an open and airy interior.