A self-contained structure configurable as a dwelling, said structure comprising: a lower section including a platform and a floor, said lower section forming a first portion of a foundation of said dwelling; and an upper section including a ceiling and connected to the lower section to define a cavity, said upper section forming a first portion of a roof of said dwelling; characterized in that said structure is also configurable as a shipping container and comprises: a plurality of wall components (24, 102, 106) attached to said lower section and said upper section within said cavity to form subcavities within said cavity; a plurality of panels attachable to said lower section and said upper section to enclose said cavity when the structure is configured as the shipping container and attachable to said upper section to form a second portion of said roof of said dwelling extending from said first portion of said roof to define an approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling; and a plurality of extension walls storable within said subcavities when the structure is configured as the shipping container and configurable to enclose said approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling. a lower section including a platform and a floor, said lower section forming a first portion of a foundation of said dwelling; and an upper section including a ceiling and connected to the lower section to define a cavity, said upper section forming a first portion of a roof of said dwelling; characterized in that said structure is also configurable as a shipping container and comprises: a plurality of wall components (24, 102, 106) attached to said lower section and said upper section within said cavity to form subcavities within said cavity; a plurality of panels attachable to said lower section and said upper section to enclose said cavity when the structure is configured as the shipping container and attachable to said upper section to form a second portion of said roof of said dwelling extending from said first portion of said roof to define an approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling; and a plurality of extension walls storable within said subcavities when the structure is configured as the shipping container and configurable to enclose said approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling. a plurality of wall components (24, 102, 106) attached to said lower section and said upper section within said cavity to form subcavities within said cavity; a plurality of panels attachable to said lower section and said upper section to enclose said cavity when the structure is configured as the shipping container and attachable to said upper section to form a second portion of said roof of said dwelling extending from said first portion of said roof to define an approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling; and a plurality of extension walls storable within said subcavities when the structure is configured as the shipping container and configurable to enclose said approximate area of said dwelling when the structure is configured as the dwelling.