When Oakland designer and builder Stephen Schoup’s firm, building Lab Inc, grew too big for his old backyard workshop, he thought long and hard on how to increase his workspace in a sustainable way.

After much deliberation, he settled on an L-shaped shipping container office space where he could incorporate many of the leftover materials and supplies he had laying around.

The newly created backyard office balances the warehouse-style home and creates a charming courtyard in between.

Read more at Inhabitat and at Green Building Advisor.

Shipping Container Conversion: Shoup’s Office.

Construction Process.

Photos courtesy Building Lab inc