1300 sqft 2 Bedroom Shipping Container Home with Heated Pool and Spa
Project: Blok Studio Container Resort
Designer and Builder: Blok Studio
Configuration: 4 x 40 ft high cube containers
Interior Area: 1300 sqft
Decks and Outdoor Living: 1400 sqft wraparound deck
Year: 2024
Location: Joshua Tree, California, United States
Overview
This modern container resort shows how four 40 ft high cube modules can become a calm, design-led retreat. The home opens to a full wraparound deck that frames desert views. A 20 ft converted container forms a heated plunge pool beside a separate spa. The result is a private micro-resort with hotel-level amenities in a compact footprint.
Site and Setting
The property sits just south of Highway 62. It is about 1 mile to downtown and about 4 miles to the West Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. Orientation and glazing capture morning light and protect afternoon heat, which is essential in the high desert.
Program and Layout
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Living core: Open plan kitchen, dining, and lounge with large sliders to the deck
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Bedrooms: 2 private bedrooms with resort-style finishes and direct outdoor access
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Baths: 2 modern bathrooms with water-saving fixtures
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Deck life: 1400 sqft of outdoor living with sun chairs, shaded dining, and a propane fire pit
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Water features: 20 ft container heated pool and a separate hot tub for year-round use
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Tech and comfort: DirecTV, efficient HVAC, LED lighting, and low-maintenance finishes
Construction and Performance
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Structure: 4 ISO high cube containers welded and framed for residential code
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Envelope: Spray foam insulation, thermal breaks, high-performance glazing
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Durability: Corten steel shell resists pests, rot, and fire. Exterior coatings control thermal gain
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Speed and control: Majority of work completed offsite for quality control and faster delivery
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Utilities: Pre-plumbed and pre-wired modules simplify hookup to site services
Operations and Guest Experience
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Outdoor living: Heated container pool, hot tub, BBQ grill, and generous deck seating
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Desert-friendly: Low-water landscaping and shaded zones for comfort without heavy maintenance
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Income use: Purpose-built for short-term rental performance in an A-grade destination market
About the Builder
Blok Studio delivers modular projects that are faster and more cost-predictable than conventional builds. The team handles early feasibility, code compliance, architectural drawings, factory build, QA, delivery, and onsite set. Most projects move from fabrication to installation in weeks, not months.
Blok Studio process
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Plan and budget with lifecycle value in mind
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Design and approvals to IBC and local code
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Factory build with integrated MEP and finishes
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Quality check for envelope, plumbing, and electrical
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Delivery and set by crane or forklift on prepared piers or slab
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Hookups and fitout for kitchens, baths, appliances
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Final walkthrough and handover
Why It Matters
This resort proves container architecture can deliver hotel-level comfort, high durability, and memorable design. The modules are strong, quick to build, and efficient to run. For developers and hosts, the model reduces time to revenue and limits construction risk on remote or sensitive sites.
What It Could Mean for Sri Lanka
For Sri Lankan homeowners and hospitality investors who want beauty and speed without waste, this is a smart template. Hybrid container builds can handle salt air, heat, and pests better than timber. They install on light foundations which helps on sloped or coastal land. They can phase over time which suits family budgets and growing guest demand. If you are used to multi-year concrete builds with cost overruns, this approach is the opposite. It is faster, cleaner, and easier to maintain. You keep the charm of indoor-outdoor island living with modern efficiency and lower monthly bills.
Fast Facts
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4 x 40 ft high cube containers
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1300 sqft interior and 1400 sqft decks
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20 ft container converted to heated pool
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Separate spa, fire pit, BBQ and sun deck
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About 1 mile to town and 4 miles to park entrance
FAQ
Does it still look like a cargo container
Only where the design wants it to. Corten steel gives the exterior character. Interiors use warm finishes and full-height glazing so it feels like a boutique villa.
How long does a build like this take
Factory build can be weeks. Site set and connections are days. Permits vary by jurisdiction.
How does it perform in heat or cold
Closed-cell insulation, thermal breaks, shading, and efficient HVAC keep energy use low and comfort high.
Can this model scale for Sri Lankan hospitality
Yes. Modules can form one villa or many. Light foundations suit coastal and hill sites. Phased delivery matches cash flow.
