Business partners Jan Burton and Sam Austin started Rhino Cubed to build “kick ass” tiny homes out of used shipping containers.
Jan was an executive in the high tech industry while Sam is an architect and artist. They met when Jan purchased a house that had been designed by Sam.
Their friendship blossomed into a partnership, and now they work together to share their love of tiny homes.
I love the idea of taking something that is considered garbage and treating it like it’s priceless.
Although the company makes several models, such as The NakedTainer and The Decanter, it’s their flagship model, The Zulu Queen, that I want to share with you right now.
This 160 square foot home will bring you closer to nature while still keeping you comfortable.
Based on a 20-foot container, it’s perfect for a weekend retreat or a full-time micro-living residence.
Some of the features of the Zulu Queen include,
- full kitchen with a sink, cooktop and luxury refrigerator
- cabinetry and furniture by IKEA
- 1250 watts of solar power (useful for running the fridge and other appliances)
- artistic details like a custom door and paint scheme
You can choose from three trim levels, and a fully built out Zulu Queen will run you around $52,000.
Each shipping container still has dents, dings, and scars from its life at sea.
The exterior of the Zulu Queen features several dozen rivets that can be used to mount bicycles, tools, or even an awning. There’s a fold-out patio area in the rear of the house.
This custom door weighs 350 pounds and is made from a single sheet of steel. It’s hinged by stainless steel ball bearings.
A custom rhino horn on the front turns this tiny house into a living sculpture. Don’t let the artistic details fool you though, this home is fully insulated, fireproof, and sealed to protect against mice and insects.
Lofted bed with storage.
Dark-trimmed cabinets from IKEA line the kitchen.
Jan Burton inside her company’s Zulu Queen model.
You might wonder how they came up with the name Rhino Cubed.
When Sam and I were thinking about names for our company, we were researching the animals we loved and felt represented the environment. A rhinoceros is large, robust, stable, and relatively passive until disturbed. We felt the rhino represented the safety, robustness, and stability of a container home.
Via: Inhabitat and Outside Online
Source: Rhino Cubed and Denver Post
