Architectural Designs - Ever heard of building a machine shed (metal building) and making part of it your living quarters?

Ever heard of building a machine shed (metal building) and making part of it your living quarters?

I want to buy a home, but my boyfriend wants to buy land. We can't afford to buy land and build a house. He says it's really cheap and convenient to build a "machine shed" and actually design your home inside the building. I've seen a house that is actually a working barn and the family just lives in a decent sized portion of the barn. It looks totally normal on the inside but from the outside, it's just a barn. Has anyone ever heard of this?

Public Comments

Not here. How do you keep the smellls out of the house portion?
Yes, there are a few barn/houses where I live. It is not common but it is done. I was going to buy a steel building myself and make a house out of it. They can even put a facing on the building so it doesnt look like metal anymore. Stone or brick fissad. Its not a bad idea for a cheap house to live in.
Yes I've seen it work. As you build inside you can install windows and make it much like a house. The accommodations can be comfortable and if you do it right (insulate the walls etc) you will have a home with an almost indestructible outside that will require little maintenance. This is OK if you live where zoning laws do not prohibit it.
Never heard of it...But it could be possible if you one big enough.
Yes, I've seen it done before. I've seen a metal shed building and living quarters are inside, theres a rock covering of the outside of the building and the windows are all decked out with little shutters. Looks really cool.