If you’re into alternative building at all, I’m sure you’ve come across Kirsten Dirksen. She has an enormous YouTube following, close to 2 million subscribers, and has a deep library of alternative building videos highlighting some of the most eco-conscious and creative houses and homes I’ve ever seen.

Yesterday she posted a video featuring the SB2 container home from Steel + Spark. I first heard of Steel + Spark on Kerry Tarnow’s YouTube channel, but this was well before The Rest of It was even the faintest glimmer in destiny’s eye. If you’re like me, and you’re looking for a path forward through the impending, and depending on when you’re reading this, current doom, a solution to the housing “crisis” is essential. So far my search has let me to alternative building techniques and prefab homes. Most likely a combination of the two will be the best path forward.

Back to the SB2. Let’s just rip the bandage off from the get go. This shit isn’t cheap. At the time of writing it starts $185,000. It’s a total of 410 sf, with a livable area of 335 sf. It’s constructed from 2 shipping containers and is completely off-grid and self-sustaining. Yes, you read that right. It’s has it’s own fresh water system, complete with grey water tank. A solar panel roof to power it’s batteries. And mini-split for cooling and heating.

Regardless if you wanna pay $200,000 for 400 sf, you can’t front on the thoughtfulness and consideration of the project and the company as a whole. I’ll definitely keep my eye on all of those involved.