Australian builder Nova Deko, realizing that shipping containers are overbuilt in terms of converting them to homes, is taking advantage of the transportation handling system that made globalism happen by building modular homes in China the same size as containers so they can be easily transported. Built in a factory in Foshan, China and supervised by Australian trades to ensure they meet all New Zealand and Australian building codes, the homes are outfitted with the appropriate plumbing and electrical connections, including LED lighting, stone counters and extra insulation, according to treehugger.com. The walls in this 320 square foot dwelling are thinner than a shipping container might be in order to squeeze out a few more square inches of space. The goal is to achieve affordable, sustainable housing, and ultimately to make the homes fully sustainable without the need for external power, water or sewage system. MHProNews understands the inexpensive labor that constructs the shipping containers can also make modular homes of similar dimensions. ##

(Photo credit: treehugger.com/Nova Deko modular home built in China)