You will want to find architects who work with the "eco" crowd. Container conversions are gaining popularity in certain areas of N. America...and yet in other areas no one has ever heard of this. In the trendy areas (like Pacific Northwest) where there are HUGE amounts of containers left over because they have a big import business but no 'exports', these containers can be quite cheap. Areas with heavy "export" these containers are in high demand.

I've heard of one person who managed to convert a 40' container for himself for $20K...he did 90% of the work himself. He recommends working with the "tall" or oversized containers...they have 9ft ceilings. That allows you to add flooring, insulation and a finished ceiling while maintaining an 8ft ceiling.

You may have to work with someone via email or out of state...this is a niche design section that is interesting but unconventional. Architects can work over long distances....the builders are the one's who need to be close.

You need to have a lot of DIY skills and a design background to go this route. Unconventional equals massively more expensive than conventional if you have to hire out the design or build. A plain old mobile home will come readily habitable and be less much expensive. It will still have issues with being allowed by zoning though. Same as a container house.

Another thought...for the "house" part of it (not the single conversion container that will be a short term place to live)...is to find on-line container house designs that are for sale.

The Dutch have been playing around with the Container House concept for over 20 years. There are many, many designs that are for sale by architects that have already built container homes. You can browse through the blogs and contact the architects who have already "done the work". Their designs are often for sale (all part of the "reduce, reuse, recycle" movement). You can then go "shopping" for build firms who would be looking for a challenge.