My contractor asked me to create a ranking of goals and wants for the project, to base our planning on and get closer to a budget.  Here's what I came up with.

1. Develop using shipping containers, in an efficient way.  I want to gain knowledge and other resources in order to do more work with container structures in the future, with a focus on sustainable
methods and features.

2. Maximize value per dollar.  I am willing to make numerous sacrifices in design and scope, in order to be able to have a new home that is not a condo at an affordable cost.  This also includes a strategy that creates monetary return on investment, by increasing the overall value of the property by a net total that factors in the cost of construction.  I expect to extensively seek out tax advantages and
financing options to serve this goal.

3. Incorporate green features as much as possible, especially those that reduce project upfront or ongoing costs (taxes, utilities, maintenance).  These include solar power/heat/water, green roof,
low-impact materials, and permeable paving.  Some features can be delayed due to cost, but accommodated by the design to allow adding them later.

4. Minimize site impact.  Related to #3, re-use materials from demolition creatively.

5. Include convenient and protected parking for at least one vehicle.

6. Allow for future expansion or flexibility of use, such as adding other dwellings, sub-dividing lot, wheelchair accessibility, etc.

7. Leave room for gardening, both ornamental and edible.

8. Include a wood-burning heat and cooking fixture.