Starburst-shaped home made from containers goes up for sale for £2.5 million

And the desert home hasn't even been built yet...

starburst home
(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

A striking starburst-shaped house in Joshua Tree is up for sale through Engel & Voelkers. Designed by London-based Whitaker Studio, the design is made from a cluster of shipping containers. Scheduled for 2021, the house is yet to be built...

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

Nestled into the rocky mountainside close to the national park, the house will measure 200 square meters or 2000 square feet.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

The starburst home is located less than a mile from the entrance to Joshua Tree national park, and every container is orientated to maximise views across the 90-acre plot and surrounding landscape.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

The containers are angled in different directions to control light entering the house, and to create privacy, depending on their individual use.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

Living spaces face the wide open land, while bedrooms face towards the rocks.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

The inspiration came from one of Whitaker Studio's other projects, which was a design for an office called Hechingen Studio. While the office was never built (the startup it was designed for had closed), the design had made its way to the owners of the plot of land in Joshua Tree who wanted something similar.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

The design for this Joshua Tree home was first unveiled in 2017, and since its debut presentation the house has gone viral. Three years later and the house still hasn't been built, but the plot and plans are up for sale for $3.5 million USD – around £2.5 million.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

It's an eco-home, powered by solar panels that sit on the car garage roof. Inside, there are three ensuite bedrooms, a kitchen and a spacious living room, each framing desert and Joshua Tree views in different directions.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

There's a patio too, for al-fresco dining and entertaining, and for taking in the stunning landscape.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

It's currently for sale through Engel & Volkers, and the listing includes the plans, construction and delivery of the house to the last detail. Construction is scheduled to start on site in 2021.

shipping container home

(Image credit: Whitaker Studio)

Aside from the striking house, the lucky buyer will also be buying views of incredible rock formations, a private part of the park, panoramic basin views and hundreds of Joshua trees. As the listing says, this property is ‘ideal for stargazing, horses and those who seek tranquility for their spiritual, meditation or yoga practices.’

Lotte Brouwer

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.