Building a Sustainable Container Home With an Award-Winning Design

Stone’s Throw Builders is a Michigan-based building services firm with a focus on innovative new design builds and effective project management. Fredman Design Group is a full-service interior design and architecture group, based in Chicago, IL, that aims to touch as many lives as possible through meaningful design.

Together, Stone’s Throw Builders and Fredman Design Group help homeowners design their dream home, down to the last design detail.

Custom Design in a Shipping Container Home

Fredman Design Group, working with Stone’s Throw Builders, has perfected container home building methods in the past few years, building with used shipping containers for a sustainable and completely distinct design. Their efficient approach to managing building projects and teams has gained the firm far-reaching success.

When a homeowner approached Fredman Design Group with a specific aesthetic in mind for their shipping container home, the team knew a unique solution would be necessary for the bathroom design details.

The Challenge: Finding the Right Design Details

“We were designing this shipping container home and could not find the right product to fit the homeowner’s aesthetic,” explains Susan Fredman, CEO of Stone’s Throw Builders.

Stone’s Throw Builders brings only vetted, capable vendors together to create their innovative home designs. They rely on these professionals for their experience and to help with creative solutions to homeowners’ specific requests.

Choosing the right products and building materials for the design can be challenging, but Susan looked to her team for suggestions. “We were recommended to Watermark,” says Susan.

Collaborating on Original Design Solutions

David Kotowsky, founder of luxury bath design firm Hydrology, oversaw the plumbing design in the project. He was the one who originally suggested that Stone’s Throw and Fredman Design Group work with Watermark Designs on the kitchen and bathroom details.

“The market was completely lacking a primitive, customizable and highly functional faucet collection,” explains David. “I chose Watermark for this project because they are a true manufacturer with the unique ability to customize and create original industrial products.”

Fredman Design Group’s designers worked directly with Watermark’s team to develop the design for the kitchen and bathroom fixtures in the shipping container home. This collaboration ultimately resulted in Watermark’s Elan Vital collection.

The Elan Vital design is inspired by vintage plumbing products and parts, with the benefit of modern functionality and design. And David loved the final design. “I really love everything about this exceptional product. I love the original and iconic lever handle. I love the attention to detail. I love that each product is made one at a time, by hand, by craftsmen.”

Susan was also happy with the final product and the process. “It was a great experience for us,” said Susan, “and the collection has brought multiple awards both from ASID and Interior Design Magazine. This could only be accomplished with a local, nimble, creative manufacturer.”

The Result

The Elan Vital collection features industrial, functional beauty, and it was through collaboration with the right product manufacturer that Stone’s Throw Builders and Fredman Design Group were able to achieve such a stunning result.

With a completely customized look that didn’t compromise on the homeowner’s design taste, this project has helped inspire other designs and product innovations.

“I couldn't be happier with the outcome,” says David. “It is truly a best-in-world product that has created a trend.”

Looking for more completely original solutions to inspire your next design? Check out more of our award-winning designs here or contact us about your project.