Ever thought a steel box could be the answer to affordable housing?
Meet Mākhers Studio, the brainchild of Wanona Satcher, turning recycled shipping containers into bespoke homes for those in need.
From Vision to Reality
In 2017, Satcher, a landscape architect and urban designer, saw the glaring gap in equitable housing in Atlanta, Georgia. Determined to make a difference, she founded Mākhers Studio to craft affordable homes from recycled shipping containers, aptly named Plug-In-Pods. These innovative units serve as permanent and pop-up housing, entrepreneurial hubs, and community spaces.
A Team Rooted in Community
Satcher’s mission is a family affair. Her husband, Kevin Hamak, a Marine Corps veteran with a background in architecture and urban design, joins her in leading a diverse team. This crew includes local veterans, LGBTQ+ members, and women, all collaborating to transform shipping containers into custom homes, classrooms, and modular health clinics.
Sustainable and Thoughtful Design
These aren’t your average metal boxes. Each 40-foot container recycles about four tons of steel, reducing material use and cutting landfill waste by an estimated 50% compared to traditional builds. Mākhers Studio prioritises eco-friendly practices, using low-VOC paints and alternative insulation materials like hemp to ensure energy efficiency and sustainability.
Supporting Those Who Served
Currently, Mākhers Studio is focusing on housing projects for veterans in Durham, North Carolina. Understanding that veterans represent a significant portion of the homeless population, Satcher and her team are not just building homes but creating communal spaces for rehabilitation and support. These efforts provide quality, restorative environments where veterans can thrive.
“It’s not just about building a supply of housing. It’s also about the kind of materials that you build with.” — Wanona Satcher, Founder and CEO of Mākhers Studio
Mākhers Studio is redefining affordable housing with innovative, sustainable designs. By repurposing shipping containers, they’re offering more than just homes; they’re building hope and community. Discover how you can support their mission and be part of the solution to the housing crisis.
