Q+A with Anne Adriance about her Adam Kalkin house made from shipping containers 

When Anne Adriance asked her friend Adam Kalkin to design a Maine vacation home, all she knew was she wanted a family gathering place that was integrated into the environment in an effective way. What she got was something she never knew she’d love—a contemporary home made from 12 bright-orange shipping containers.  

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BUILD A CONTAINER HOME? 
A: When you enter one of Adam’s homes you stop and notice in a fresh way what home means. At first we were surprised and a little shocked to think we’d be living in shipping containers, but we trusted his vision. The vitality of the experience hasn’t worn off but the novelty has, now that it’s home. Still, everyone who comes to visit us, whether age 75 or 10, gets wide eyed and excited. Kids especially love it.    Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FEATURE? A: In spring, summer, and fall we can leave the garage doors at the front of the house open, even in rain, and it’s never too cold or hot. We have a sense of being out in nature—like in Caribbean homes with no wall on one side.    Q: WHERE DID THE CONTAINERS COME FROM, AND HAVE THEY BEEN AN EFFICIENT MATERIAL? A: Adam says the containers, available near most large ports, were used to ship everything from spices to washing machines and currently cost about $3,000 per unit. Using containers and a cement floor meant we’ve needed very little maintenance. In 10-plus years we’ve only had to reseal the deck and recently repaint the exterior simply to brighten up the orange color.