Smithey Container Homes to design shipping

Dec 09, 2023

Photo by Carmer Troesser Photography

In St. Charles, an interdisciplinary artist resides inside a piece of his own artwork – a house in which literal and metaphorical doors have opened for its entrepreneurial owners.

Photo courtesy of Zack Smithey

Zack and Brie Smithey's home is a multi-level structure made from eight recycled shipping containers that were retrofitted with brick, painted with blue and white stripes and enhanced with upside-down arched windows. Inside, Zack Smithey's sculptures, paintings and upcycled creations anchor the vibrant, eclectic interior design.

"I’ve used many different materials, different styles…drawing, painting, sculpting, you name it – and now architecture. So really, this is an extension of my art," he says. "It's a giant sculpture that I get to live in."

Smithey says he and his wife designed and constructed the 3,100-square-foot house in one year, wrapping up in May 2017 with minimal help from contractors. Since then, it's been featured in numerous national publications, showcased on Netflix's "Amazing Interiors" for its unconventional architecture and even inspired a new business venture: Smithey Container Homes.

Photo by Spicewood Photography

Smithey Container Homes has designed or consulted on shipping-container structures in the St. Louis metro area; Eureka, Missouri; and Chicago. Next, the couple plans to lease shipping container houses in the metro area that will allow anyone to experience life inside a piece of art while also supporting local artists.

A short-term rental property will primarily serve as a vacation rental like those on Airbnb and Vrbo, but guests’ payment will subsidize the rent of a nearby shipping container home with an adjoined studio. "That small home and studio will be for local artists, so they will have an affordable rent," Smithey explains.

"This idea is kind of the beginning of a bigger idea, which is to create affordable housing; I want to start in my own sector," Smithey continues. "A lot of times, artists have trouble having a career as an artist without a second job, or [they can't afford] a place to live and a studio ... I’ve been very fortunate over the years to be successful in my art career."

Inside the vacation rental, art by Smithey and local artists will surround guests and be available to purchase. Smithey adds that his wife's business, Brie's Premium Protein Line, will also be involved to inspire a health and fitness element to the guest experience.

Photo by Spicewood Photography

The global container homes market is expected to reach about $73million by 2025, up from about $45 million in 2017, according to Allied Market Research. Although there was a shortage of containers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, shippers have recently grappled with how to manage excess containers, according to CNBC. The international news organization reported in November that some shippers were giving containers away to reduce crowding at depots.

In Smithey Container Homes’ new rentals, the goal is to unite sustainable practices with artistic architecture and interior design but make it accessible to more than one family. Smithey says the first local property should open by the end of 2024, and if all goes well, they’ll build similar rentals in different cities across the U.S.

Smithey has also been working with St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer to design a shipping-container development featuring short-term rental properties, retail establishments and other businesses that he expects to complete over the next two years.

Photo by Spicewood Photography

"We’re looking to make Frenchtown a very vibey, hip and safe area," Borgmeyer says, adding that St. Charles’ Frenchtown district is "becoming a very dynamic entertainment area."

They’ve researched how "shipping-container villages" have performed in Atlanta, Tampa and other cities and are planning to transform a two block area in Frenchtown to better serve the local community. Borgmeyer says bringing in Smithey as a consultant "supercharged" the project and has it "going full force."

"I know Zack's family and have watched his development as an artist and seen his rise to prominence as an artist," Borgmeyer adds. "He thinks outside of the box."

Zack Smithey Fine Art, St. Charles, 636-795-9045, zacksmithey.com

Photo by Matt Marcinkowski

Photo courtesy of Zack Smithey

Photo by Carmer Troesser Photography

Photo by Spicewood Photography

Photo by Carmer Troesser Photography

Photo by Carmer Troesser Photography

Photo by Spicewood Photography

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