Container Home Living - Design, Build, Sell

Creating Beautiful and Attainable Homes

CONTAINER HOME LIVING

Design + Build + Sell

Creating Attainable Homes

MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP ATTAINABLE

Welcome to McKellar Development LLC, Kansas City's home of attainable and efficient living solutions. We believe in the power of home ownership – it's more than a possession, it's a sense of security, it builds equity, and provides personal space.

That's why we are passionate about designing, building and selling these unique homes.

Our innovative approach uses steel shipping containers (the kind you see stacked on freighters), transforming them into new, cozy, safe homes that are priced within reach. From single units to two-story homes and duplexes, the possibilities are endless.

Join us on this digitally documented journey as we build the first shipping container office in our founder's own backyard. Once complete, we plan to start building homes, bringing dreams to life.

Be a part of our journey to redefine home ownership in Kansas City and beyond.

MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP ATTAINABLE

That's why we are passionate about designing, building and selling these unique homes.

Join us on this digitally documented journey as we build the first shipping container office in our founder's own backyard. Once complete, we plan to start building homes, bringing dreams to life. Plan to attend our Open House in Fall 2024 and bring a friend. Please come see it to believe it! Be sure to sign up for our eNewsletter to receive an invitation.

Be a part of our journey to redefine home ownership in Kansas City and beyond.

We are working toward crafting a space where you will have the opportunity to physically experience and immerse yourself in our vision of beautiful, attainable, and sustainable housing.

Sign up for our news letter to stay up to date!

THE PROCESS: Sketches, Architects, Engineers, Permits

First, we drew up the ideal office/studio on a piece of graph paper. The dimensions of a standard container, like you see stacked on a ship, are 8' x 40' x 9.5'. They are long and narrow with a nice ceiling. One container creates 320 sq. ft. of living space.

Then, we sat down with an architect who knows the local residential building code and walked him through the sketch. We are placing the container behind the barn where it looks out onto the pond.

Next, we hired a site engineer to provide the detail needed to pour four concrete piers upon which each corner of the container will be seated and permanently attached.

A building permit is typically required before construction can begin. The engineer's drawings were submitted, along with a small fee, to obtain this handsome permit!

THE PROCESS: Sketches, Architects, Engineers, Permits

Then, we sat down with an architect who knows the local residential building code and walked him through the sketch. We are placing the container behind the barn where it looks out onto the pond.

Next, we hired a site engineer to provide the detail needed to pour four concrete piers upon which each corner of the container will be seated and permanently attached.

A building permit is typically required before construction can begin. The engineer's drawings were submitted, along with a small fee, to obtain this handsome permit!

THE WORK: Build

Our builder, SBF Containers in Independence, MO, actually cut out the doors, windows and utility locations on their site and delivered the container to the back yard in rural Smithville. The design includes French doors and two picture windows. On the backside we chose three clerestory windows which are perfect for gathering sunshine.

This photo depicts the wooden frame interior being installed just like a traditional "stick built" home. Wiring and plumbing components were added at this time. An independent inspector checked to make sure everything was installed "to code" and then insulation was blown onto the walls and ceiling.

THE WORK: Interior & Installation

Concrete piers were poured for each corner and the container was dropped on. See the photo below where the crane “flying” the container over the barn.

We added ship lap to the walls, bead board to the ceiling with LED puck lights and a mini-split for comfort.

If you have a moment, take a look at the link below to better understand the need for housing in greater Kansas City.

Article Link