Title: A Modern Marvel in Ringsend: The Story of Gordon and Maggie Kelley’s Shipping Container Home
The story of Gordon and Maggie Kelly’s beautifully innovative home in Dublin’s Ringsend is a tale of ingenuity, perseverance, and a passion for sustainable living. It begins not just with a vision, but with generations of heritage, memories, and a desire to create a unique space that reflects both personal and community values.
The Seed of Inspiration
Gordon’s journey toward constructing a shipping container home can be traced back to several key moments in his life. One pivotal experience occurred during a trip to Co. Leitrim, where he helped friends build a house using local materials. This event ignited his interest in environmentally conscious construction methods. Living in East Wall, surrounded by the bustling Port of Dublin, further shaped his idea of utilizing shipping containers, specifically “One Trips”—containers that make a single journey from China to Ireland. The concept began to flourish as Gordon envisioned stacking and aligning multiple containers to create an innovative living space.
No Ordinary Kitchen
Fast forward to a sunny morning in the Kelleys’ kitchen—an inviting blend of industrial charm and family warmth. Crafted from scaffolding planks, their kitchen table reflects Gordon’s goal of integrating utilitarian aesthetics with personal touch. He notes, “I wanted the inside to reflect things that were industrial and useful.” The area is adorned with heirloom furniture and art that speaks to the family’s love for the sea, creating an atmosphere that is far from cold; it is vibrant and full of life.
A Love-Hate Relationship with the Neighborhood
The Kelleys’ home stands as a conversation starter, attracting intrigued passerby’s comments. While not everyone appreciates the unconventional design, many in the community do, appreciating the effort that went into such a transformative project. Across the street, a former building converted into a church serves as a reminder of the neighborhood’s evolving fabric. As Gordon reflects on the blend of opinions from the community, he acknowledges the hurdles they faced—not all challenges sprang from construction complexities; securing financial backing proved to be another ordeal.
Overcoming Financial Hurdles
Despite receiving planning approval for their ambitious project, the family faced rejection from banks that were hesitant to support such an innovative housing solution. In response, Gordon and Maggie moved in with Maggie’s parents to save money for their dream home. Gordon’s frustration is palpable as he recounts this experience, lamenting the gap between behemoth financial institutions’ claims of supporting innovation and the harsh reality of the housing market. Their resolve to persist, however, only strengthened their commitment to realizing their vision.
The Costs and Challenges Faced
The construction budget saw an unexpected escalation, with the overall cost reaching €300,000—significantly higher than initially anticipated. While the seven shipping containers themselves were reasonably priced at €3,000 each, foundational work on the notoriously soft land in Ringsend consumed a large portion of the budget. Beyond financial challenges, structural integrity posed yet another hurdle; altering the containers for windows, doors, and stairwells risked compromising their strength.
Collaborative Spirit of Innovation
To navigate these challenges, the Kelleys enlisted the help of a talented team from LiD Architecture, known for their innovative approach to building using shipping containers. The collaboration was not just about solving problems; it was about building a community spirit that resembles a traditional Irish meitheal, where collective effort propels the project forward. Builder JP McGann echoes this sentiment, embracing the spirit of adventure that comes with unconventional projects.
A New Chapter for the Kelley Family
Today, the Kelley family—Gordon, Maggie, and their children Gordie and Penny Bell—are thriving in their three-bedroom home. They have plans for expansion and look forward to increasing their living space significantly once they save enough funds for a new storey, reflecting their ongoing commitment to adapting their environment.
Gordon embodies the ethos of innovation that led to their home, standing as a testament to creative thinking, community involvement, and the courage to envision alternative housing solutions. Their journey serves as an uplifting reminder that beautiful and sustainable living can often arise from challenges tackled with determination and a little help from friends.
Conclusion
The Kelleys’ shipping container home in Ringsend is no longer just a project; it is a symbol of resilience, creativity, and community spirit. It illustrates how innovative approaches to housing can make a positive impact not only on individual lives but also on the broader architectural landscape in urban areas like Dublin. This family, embracing their unique design and journey, proves that sometimes the path taken is as meaningful as the destination realized.
Words by Gemma Tipton, photography by Ruth Maria Murphy and Gareth Byrne. This article was originally published in October 2023.
