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Harrison Marshall, the CEO of CAUKIN Studio, transformed a dumpster in London into a habitable space, shedding light on the city’s astronomical living costs. While this unique home functions as an artwork illustrating the housing predicament, he aims to find a more traditional living arrangement soon.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to reside in a London dumpster?
While many might be acquainted with dumpster diving, living in one is a different ballgame. ECA reports that, despite an ongoing cost of living crisis pushing UK inflation to a 30-year peak, London retains its title as the world’s fourth most expensive city for residents. When property search is often discouraging due to high costs, Harrison Marshall chose a path less traveled after stumbling upon discarded items near his desired living location.
After working overseas in Southeast Asia and Central America, Harrison returned to London, intending to find a permanent residence. Soon, he realized even affording a basic shed might be beyond his reach.
In his quest for an affordable yet unconventional solution, he delved into the idea of using dumpsters (or “skips” as Brits would say). The idea was to find housing that wouldn’t drain nearly all of his $1,850 monthly income, preserving his hopes of eventually purchasing his own property.
Given Harrison’s role as the CEO of CAUKIN Studio, an emerging architectural company, he had the expertise needed. With a monthly rental fee of $62 (£49) for a Southwark dumpster spot and past experience collaborating with artists on dumpster-focused projects, he embarked on a journey to revamp the dumpster into a cozy home.
The footage showcases the fenced area housing the dumpster, which Harrison accesses using a ladder. The exterior even boasts a Ring doorbell camera. Inside, the space features a mezzanine bed setup on “four wooden boxes” for clothing storage. The interior feels surprisingly spacious, reminiscent of the Tardis.
His minimalistic kitchen comprises a small sink, an induction stove, and an eight-can mini fridge. For other essential needs like washing and bathing, Harrison relies on nearby public facilities.
The transformation, which cost about $5,000 (£4,000), is notably less than five months’ rent for an average London flat. For comparison, a single-bedroom apartment in the same neighborhood demands £1,700 ($2,100) monthly.
Breaking down the expenses in an article for CNBC, Harrison detailed: “Construction materials including wood, insulation, and fittings totaled $4,620 (£3,660), while interior furnishing stood at $380 (£300).”
He acquires water via a hose from a neighboring property and his minimal electricity usage is bundled into his “land sponsorship” costs. Impressively, he only spends £16 ($20) monthly on wifi.
Referring to his unique living arrangement, Harrison remarks, “My home has become a symbolic artwork. It underscores London’s ludicrous housing situation in a thought-provoking yet humorous manner. While I wouldn’t suggest others do the same, I do look forward to a future move – one that doesn’t involve trading savings for a dingy room.”
