Flower, thanks for listing this article, it prompts a few comments. Small houses and cabins have always intrigued me. I wonder if it isn't in our collective psyche to fantasize about scaling down, living small, especially to curb our consumerism and impact on the environment. I've designed and built, using some very savvy craftsmen in the area, a number of small buildings on some land I acquired in N Texas. The buildings range in size from 164 sq. ft. to 700 sq ft (plus a loft). They form a kind of family gathering spot, kids love it. It most likely is not the best investment but has been fun and after the first one succeeded it was like eating potato chips.

Small custom buildings are exponentially harder to build per sq. ft., and cost more per sq ft, than larger ones. The tight spaces are hard to work in. Despite a lot of planning, there is waste material. Standard fixtures, lights, electrical, windows, etc. don't necessarily work, particularly if you don't want the finished product to resemble old mother Hubbard's shoe.

I've evaluated the container idea several times and for a lot of reasons have always gone with conventional framing. Container construction is going to require torch cutting and welding---crafts more expensive and in less supply than wood framing. Containers have to be purchased, brought in on a large flatbed with a crane. Getting them installed on cement piers or slabs is a challenge.

Now as I write this I am salivating over the idea of converting a container,  because it's just a neat idea. Whether the detroit experiment could work on a large scale I don't  know. Mh instinct is that there are much better solutions to better housiing. And of course, the ideas of loans and city ordinances are key to any large scale project.

I'm reminded of an essay written by David Mamet in which he excoriates the hippies who came to Vermont (Oregon, Santa Barbara, I think you know all about this) and tried new building techniques, most of which failed the basic requirements of spans, foundations and moisture control, etc. The framing ideas conceived during the last three centuries or so work well, according to Mamet 

Along with 50 other projects I'm working on a trailerable "house" design to be arranged in pods in semi-permanent settings---much of the need is for elder care is in such situations as the progeny's back yard. What is required to make a lot of these buildings cost effective are well designed components, etc.

I can have a bunch of containers over here next week. Lots are for sale with special discounts to Dagbloggers. Bring welders, cutting torches or plasma cutters, skill saws, nail guns and knee pads. Lunch of buns and squirrel gravy is provided. We have an open carry policy but do not allow discussions of the possible identities of either Bigfoot or the author(s) of works going under the name of Will Shakespeare. 

(didn't intend to go on this long).

The end.