Only 37 square meters—and built from this?!’ 🏡 When Dave and Jamie turned shipping containers into a tiny dream home, they had no idea how life would test them. What they built after dramatic events will leave you speechless. Full story + new photos in the article below 👇
Dave and Jamie Hinkle’s home is anything but ordinary. It’s only 37 square meters in size, but despite being small and built from something unexpected, it offers all the comfort of a full-sized house.
The couple built their cozy home using cargo containers—the same kind used to ship large goods by sea. They used just two containers and managed to turn them into a unique two-story house.
Their journey began in 2014 when they sold their home in Vancouver and used the money—$65,000—to buy 200 acres of land in Kalama, Washington. They didn’t start building right away because they were waiting for water and electricity to be connected.
But in August 2015, something unexpected happened. Dave suffered a brain hemorrhage and had to be rushed to the hospital by helicopter. He spent five days in intensive care. Thankfully, he survived. Even though he lost movement on the right side of his body, Dave was determined to keep going. He says that working on the house actually helped him heal. By April 2016, the house was finished—and Dave had recovered about 85% of his movement.
The first floor of the house includes a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, and storage space. The second floor has the bedroom and a balcony with beautiful views. But the couple didn’t stop there. They kept improving the property by building greenhouses, a chicken coop, and even a zipline. A suspension bridge now connects the house’s balcony to a nearby terrace that overlooks the valley.
Jamie says they are living the best life they could ask for—grateful for each day. And Dave adds that they feel blessed to have even more than they once dreamed of.
What do you think of their story? Would you ever live in a home made from shipping containers? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear what kind of dream home you would build!
