In downtown Chattanooga, Christi Homar Design has broken ground on the city’s first container homes, aiming to set a new standard for sustainable urban development.
Constructed from repurposed shipping containers, container homes are known for their strength, “eco-friendliness” compared to traditional building materials and being relatively easy to maneuver.
“They’re kind of like stacking Legos,” says Homar — except they are typically about 40 feet long, made of steel and weigh close to 9,000 pounds when empty.
Coming from a family of engineers, Homar says an innate understanding of building and design is in her DNA. With nearly 27 years of experience, she is known for her work in architecture, interior design and sustainable living, some of which has been featured on HGTV, the Food Network and the DIY Network over the years.
To prepare for the container home build, Homar expanded her skillset by taking courses on welding and earning her general contractor’s license, enabling her to oversee every aspect of the construction from start to finish.
“Architecture and building feeds my soul,” she says. “It’s just the way my brain works. I think about everything, from the landscaping to the final details. I can’t turn it off.”
With this project, Homar is constructing three homes at the corner of Orchard Knob and 16th streets, a block away from East Main Street. The first two homes will be 2,000-square-foot residences, complete with elevators and three “green” rooftop courtyards each; while the third will be slightly smaller, featuring two green rooftops and a set of stairs.
The green rooftops are covered with grass and plants that not only make the container homes look nice but also provide energy-efficient benefits. They help cool the buildings, clean the air, and lower energy bills, while also adding curb appeal and serving as small gardens.
“If we can repurpose, we are saving some trees,” she says. “We’re using something that already exists.”
Contributed rendering / A computer-generated image shows the completed home, which will include an elevator, two green roofs and 2,000 square feet of interior living space.But her vision for the container buildings goes beyond this project. She sees the boxy units as a versatile, eco-friendly solution for urban housing challenges and hopes they can be used in the future as portable shelters and showers for the homeless.
Her investors, LHD Investments — Deborah DiStefano, Carrie Limbacher, John Limbacher and herself — share the same commitment to sustainability and innovative design. While they probably could have built five buildings on the property, the team chose to build only three.
“Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should,” says Homar. Reducing mass construction, limiting hardscape and applying more green spaces is beneficial not only for the environment but in providing homeowners with a more peaceful living area.
While the container build has been her dream for years, the project has not been without challenges. Originally designed for transporting goods across oceans, the containers are incredibly strong, and transforming them into homes with windows, doors, plumbing, electrical and other modern-day amenities requires significant skill.
Homar’s team broke ground on the Orchard Knob construction in November of 2023, and she is hopeful the homes will be ready for sale by the end of September. But they are unique in design, and attention to detail is top priority. She anticipates the homes will be priced between $600,ooo and $1 million.
“I am passionate about what I do. All this means something to me,” she says. “I can’t build and design something that doesn’t have longevity or impact us positively.”