In this video we have modified a 40' high cube #shippingcontainer into a 24' office, two bathrooms with toilets, sinks, urinals and a mechanical room that houses a water tank, pressure system & septic tank. For this mod, we strut-strapped the container, installed our windows, doors, and a rubberized flooring for the two bathrooms and mechanical room. The office side is finished with PVC wall panels, desks, baseboard heaters, an A/C heat pump unit, and 4ft light fixtures.
Each bathroom features a residential style pot light, as well as sink, toilet, and urinal, which all get pumped into the rear mechanical room which houses the water and septic tanks.
PRODUCT USED:
➤ Container Door and Wall Flashing Kits
➤ Gravel Guard Rubberized Flooring
➤ Exhaust Fans
Purchase Container Modification World Products Featured in The Video
Turning a 40-Foot High Cube Container into a Complete Office and Washroom Module
In this project walkthrough, Channing McCorriston, also known as The Container Guy, documents the transformation of a brand new 40-foot high cube, one-time-use shipping container into a fully functional modular unit. The finished build includes a 24-foot office, two bathrooms, and a mechanical room housing a water tank, pressure system, and septic tank.
This prototype was designed to explore how far a single container can go when engineered properly.
Layout and Functional Design
The container was divided into three main zones:
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A 24-foot office with multiple windows and a dual-swing man door
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Two fully insulated bathrooms with galvanized partition walls
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A mechanical room containing a 300-gallon water tank, pressure system, and a 400 to 440 gallon septic tank
The goal was to create a flexible space that could function as an office, lunchroom, or change room while remaining self contained.
Galvanized partitions were insulated on the back side to improve sound dampening between bathrooms and the office. Original container steel flooring was retained in the office for durability, while rubberized waterproof flooring was installed in the bathrooms and mechanical room.
Insulation and Vapor Control
Spray foam insulation was applied directly to all interior steel surfaces, creating a continuous thermal envelope. Custom wall and door flashing kits were added to retain insulation and form a proper vapor barrier around windows and doors.
Strut channels and angle flashing were used throughout to frame corners and seams, improving insulation continuity and simplifying interior finishing.
This combination of spray foam and flashing created a tight building envelope that performs far better than typical stud and batt insulation systems.
Electrical and HVAC Systems
Electrical wiring was concealed inside the spray foam using BX cable, with stub-outs positioned for future changes. The electrical panel was surface mounted on strut channels and tied into an exterior junction box, allowing customers to modify or expand the system later.
Baseboard electric heaters were installed as backup heat for temperatures below -30°C. A heat pump air conditioning unit with Wi-Fi control provides primary climate management using environmentally responsible R410A refrigerant.
Bathrooms were fitted with prototype ventilation fans using AC Infinity 4-inch axial fans controlled by light switches, with plans to upgrade to motion sensor automation in future builds.
Residential-style LED pot lights were added throughout for even, low-cost lighting.
Plumbing and Mechanical Systems
Each bathroom uses macerator toilets that pump waste into the septic tank, eliminating the need for gravity drainage or heated crawl spaces. A vent line runs above the septic tank to prevent water intrusion, and a 3-inch banjo fitting allows easy pump-out access.
Plumbing lines were secured with strut channel strapping, although the team noted that outsourced plumbing work lacked proper mounting in some areas. This highlighted the importance of tighter quality control and future plans for in-house plumbing.
Lessons Learned and Future Improvements
As a prototype, the build revealed several opportunities for refinement:
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Reducing the number of strut channels and wall panels to save labor and material
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Introducing steel stud brackets for faster framing
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Standardizing window sizes to simplify inventory and installation
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Eliminating interior window flashing by aligning openings with strut placement
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Developing corner casting covers to simplify insulation and interior trim
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Improving plumbing coordination and mounting standards
The team also plans to evolve the office layout into a “GLO style” multi-use space that supports flexible furniture and changing site needs.
Final Thoughts
This container conversion demonstrates what is possible when modular design meets real-world jobsite experience. From spray foam insulation and integrated flashing systems to pump-driven plumbing and flexible electrical layouts, every element was built with adaptability in mind.
More importantly, the project reinforces a key principle of container construction: success comes from continuous iteration. Each prototype leads to smarter products, simpler installs, and better-performing builds.
As these systems become standardized, turnkey office and washroom containers like this one will play an increasing role in remote work sites, industrial projects, and modular infrastructure.