The artist plans to build a house out of a rubbish bin in London, England and live there for a year. The aim is to draw attention to the “insane” price of renting a room in the British capital these days.
Harrison Marshall, 28, moved into a converted container on a grass field in Bermondsey, south London, a month ago. The young man explains that the only way he has found to get paid is to live in a center close to where he works.
Returning to the town after some time, he says that it is difficult to find a place to live as there are no houses.
“Like thousands of people across town and across the country, the prices are crazy. The returns are unbelievable,” says Marshall. “Even when I found a place within my price range, there were a hundred other people looking for that room.”
Reuters/Henry Nicholls
Price inflation in the UK reached 11.1% – a 41-year high – in October 2022 and remains in double digits, fueling a cost-of-living crisis as wages fail to keep pace with rising housing and food costs.
Marshall’s creative solution to the problem was to build a 4500 euro wooden shed with a curved roof and attach it to a shipping container. Inside is a small kitchen and a Mezzanine With a bed. the words “Avoid home” (or “container house”) is a yellow container stamped in black, typically used for construction waste.
“The shipping container gave me the opportunity to create my own tiny house,” he says.
There is a garden leading to the entrance steps to Marshall and a public bathroom located in the corner of the complex. At work, a ten-minute bike ride or a trip to the gym, he can get water from a tap from a neighbor’s property.
“All the neighbors have been incredible, they’ve been really supportive. I’ve had neighbors come over and bring homemade food,” she says. “It’s a big bonus to the whole project. There’s a good community in this area.”
Jean Rhys is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. Her work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.