Home Solutions for the landless

It is not an uncommon problem in Namibia: you are farming on land that you do not own and need accommodation on site. Why would you invest in something you can’t take with you? The simple answer is that you don’t.

Stefan Tietz of Grootfontein is one such farmer who has found a smart housing solution that he can take with him no matter where he goes.

There are many reasons why the container-home trend has swept the globe, but for Namibian farmers like Tietz, it’s more than a convenient and eco-conscious option; it’s an incredibly versatile, cost-effective and almost immediate solution that’s surprisingly mobile.

Cowboy’s Trading & Rental Solutions’ innovative off-grid container-home conversions, manufactured from shipping containers no longer in use, are fast becoming known across the nation as one of the most effective turnkey solutions for anything from cow sheds and emergency shelters to fully functional and rather stylish accommodation.

One of the most attractive attributes of Cowboy’s container homes is the simplicity of it all. No building plans, site inspections, or foundations are required. Container homes are also perfect for remote locations, and can be ready within relatively short turnaround times.

In Tietz’s case, his basic need for accommodation was not only complicated by the uncertainty of his land leasing agreement, but also by challenges like a lack of electricity.

“A modular container conversion very quickly proves itself as the ultimate solution for an entire range of challenging situations,’ says Ulla Gossow-Büttner of Cowboy’s Trading & Rental Solutions.

The Cowboy’s team came up with a 650-square-metre design that includes a 44-square-metre living area and even a veranda. The team also designed a 370-square-metre workshop with three general-purpose containers for secure storage.

When Tietz’s stylishly furnished and fully decorated container home was delivered to him, it was set up within three days, complete with a solar system to power his new dishwasher, microwave, and a much-needed air-conditioner. The team had thought of everything; they even organised his TV licence for him.

As a client of Cowboy’s Trading & Rental Solutions, Tietz was very impressed with the container.

“I am so happy with my luxurious home,” he says. “I never thought that you could live in such comfort in a shipping container. I have everything I need, it’s cool and secure and so practical.”

“It is incredible how quickly this was erected. The Cowboy’s team was so well prepared and organised, and they left no trace behind but this amazing home. And I can move it anytime I want. This really is the best concept,” Tietz says.

And while Tietz’s family had their doubts at first, they too found themselves astonished by the container-home concept in action.

Not only can it be relocated with ease, it can also be added to just as easily. At any time, Tietz could add more storage to his workshop, add more bedrooms to his home, even create a double storey if he wanted to.

It’s no surprise that the demand for container modifications is rapidly increasing in Namibia, especially with Cowboy’s at the manufacturing helm. The team’s attention to detail, their high standards of quality, and the way they go out of their way to get things done – and get them done right – are already legendary.

Gossow-Büttner agrees that the container-home trend is here to stay. Not only because Namibia presents so many unique challenges such as remote locations and a lack of basic services, but also because of the versatility, durability, and availability of the shipping containers themselves.

STAFF REPORTER

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Namibian Sun 2024-04-19

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