Living in a shipping container in the middle of the desert might not sound like everybody’s idea of fun, but wait until you see this stunning creation by London-based designer James Whitaker.

The Augustine is based on a 40-ft (12.2-m) shipping container that's painted a uniform dark gray – or "Iron Ore" – and has been modified with insulation, windows, and a front door.

Building a house in Africa can be prohibitively expensive, but container homes offer an affordable alternative. These unique ...