On the upcycle

Shipping containers are strong, plentiful and have a nice degree of alterna- credibility to them. And while New Zealand’s building compliance rules can make gaining consent a lot more difficult, and considerably more expensive, than if you’d built with traditional materials, if you're willing to go very small, you can still build cheaply. Last year, Auckland designer Brenda Kelly of IQ Container Homes created her off-grid home out of a six metre shipping container for $30,000. And Bonnifait + Giesen's transportable Port-a-Bach prototype ( pictured) clocked in at around $100,000.

Cheaper construction materials like wooden pallets or even straw are also finding favour.