EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE HOUSING DESIGN
The world of architecture is vast, but within it lies a growing need for innovation—solutions that balance affordability, sustainability, and modern living needs. My name is David Aseweje, an architectural designer on a journey to explore and develop alternative housing concepts. Through this blog, I’ll be documenting my design process, sharing insights, and offering practical solutions in the form of drawings, renderings, and consultations.
Why ALTERNATIVE HOUSING MATTERS
The dream of homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach for many. Traditional housing is often expensive, resource-intensive, and, in some cases, environmentally unsustainable. While mass concrete is the backbone of modern construction, it comes at a significant environmental cost—concrete alone contributes between 4-8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to Wikipedia.
That’s not to say traditional materials and methods should be abandoned, but rather, we should explore alternatives that can reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, and create modular, scalable solutions for diverse living needs. Alternative housing offers precisely that.
KEY BENEFITS
Smaller footprints mean reduced construction and maintenance costs, making homeownership more accessible.
Eco-friendly materials used in certain alternative housing solutions reduce resource consumption.
Designs can be easily expanded and reconfigured
Reduced material waste and emissions compared to conventional construction, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint.
Many alternative housing types, like prefab homes and container homes, can be built much faster than traditional structures, sometimes in a matter of weeks.
SOME TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE HOUSING
WHERE DOES WEJ ATELIER FIT IN?
As an architectural designer, my goal is to create functional, aesthetically appealing spaces that fit seamlessly into their environmental and geographical contexts while prioritizing efficiency and livability.
I’m narrowing my focus to the design of shipping container homes—starting with compact tiny homes and expanding to larger, modular configurations. These little guys are practical, eco-friendly and more affordable, also, design and construction techniques can be applied globally, often with some variation regarding foundation depth, required insulation, drainage and MEP requirements, utility clearances, and such, so my concepts and drawings can be applied by anyone with little modification.
WHY TINY HOUSES?
Tiny houses, typically defined as homes no larger than 400 square feet (37 sqm), are ideal for individuals, couples, and even small families seeking a minimalist lifestyle. The goal is to explore this niche and provide value by creating design solutions that can be applied globally.
Tiny shipping container houses are perfect for ADUs, Off-grid homes, Mobile homes and emergency/transitional housing.
(For regulations in your area, consult local building authorities.)
WHY SHIPPING CONTAINERS?
Shipping containers are universal, they can be sourced in several regions that facilitate trade by vessel
Their steel structure provides a strong and durable frame for building upon
Modular configurations can be designed by combining multiple containers
Containers used in building are most times repurposed from vessels, which reduces industrial waste and gives a second life to materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Container dimensions are standard (8’ wide x 20’ or 40’ long, and 8’6” or 9’6” high), allowing for predictable design parameters and easier transportation.
In some cases, buying and converting a used container can be more affordable than traditional construction, particularly in regions with high labor and material costs.
THE JOURNEY
This blog will document my design process, from conceptual plans and renderings to full architectural drawings and photorealistic visualization, I’ll be sharing every step of the journey.
Beyond documentation, I want this space to become a hub for enthusiasts, developers, and potential homeowners to engage—whether through discussions, constructive feedback, or direct consultations.
Additionally, I will be offering detailed architectural drawings for sale, allowing builders and clients to bring these alternative housing solutions to life, wherever they may be in the world.
Shall we?
