Shipping Containers and friends
There are a lot of good examples and ideas out there in modular or pre-fab construction. let me start with this:
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Fiona Lougheed on -
Nice video. Our studio is actually studying this idea with our current project. We deconstructed a single wide mobile home and are now designing our trailer with mass production kept in mind. It's been quite interesting.
We came across a number of problems with the way trailers are currently fabricated (as you can imagine) with the main problems being a lack of architecture and poor construction quality. Not to mention the negative associations with trailers, and the fact that manufacturers are making so much profit it is almost impossible to convince them of a better design, even if its as economical.
There are so many positions to have on the issue, we have each selected one main architectural idea that we are maintaining throughout the process of design and construction of the home. Some ideas could be summed up but are not limited to the following:
1. Maintaining privacy by bringing light in from above
2. Reshaping the trailer to move away from the negative association
3. Introducing elements of surprise once inside to give an entrance
4. Designing a kit of parts which allow for a multitude of organizations
5. Using a design element to direct the movement through the space
6. Securing the trailer to the chase and/or site for stability rather than mobility
There have been many discussions about trailers and their purpose in society and whether there will ever be an architectural solution to them, or are they doomed to always be unappealing and cheaply built... what are your thoughts?
-
ArchitectPermalink Reply by Vishal Charles on -
Shipping containers have a few things going for them -
Reuse is 'green'. we import more than we export and hence have a good stock of shipping containers. Steel is highly recyclable and all these containers will probably be reused or recycled in some form, still, reuse is more energy efficient than recycling and that's what makes their use 'cool' in architecture.
Construction and modular are friends . starting from bricks, CMU, 2x4s, aluminum composite panels...and so on. Shipping containers are cheap and modular. Though I understand that some people may dislike shipping containers for exactly the same reasons.
There are practical issues. I don't see any point in using shipping containers if I have to modify the crap out of them just to make them fit in a project. so they are good for some projects and not so good for others. They are strong and watertight but not designed as a habitable space. None of the shipping container supplier/manufacturer will warranty them against water leakage when used in construction. They are limited in height and lighting/HVAC needs to be designed with that restriction. what about wet areas that need to be sloped? How do you accommodate a shower stall in a universal(ADA) design? How to make sure that the roof and floor and walls meet the structural code requirements?
It requires a lot of research upfront before you can use it in a project and the cost of doing that cannot be justified if you want to use it for just one project. I believe that's why we have firms that specialize in container architecture. There may be exceptions. The scale of the project and willingness on part of the client may make it work.
Shipping containers are made for shipping and they do that job well. The challenge and the thrill lies in taking something like that and make it work for a completely different use. Looking at some existing examples (see comments on my blog post) shipping containers may be transformed into a really good design, even when they are just 'stacked up' like the Freitag Store in Zurich. I think context can be a very powerful statement. Not to mention that you need a very sympathetic client to propose something like that - or a damn good speaker! or both.
-
Permalink Reply by David Weber on -
Nice HDR.
i´m in an Internship at this Company at the moment ( TwoTimesTwentyFeet )
We did something close to this one some time ago.
-
ArchitectPermalink Reply by Vishal Charles on -
I came across this not for profit organization that adapts shipping containers into health clinics. Check out containers 2 clinics
-
ArchitectPermalink Reply by Vishal Charles on -
Puma City Shipping Container store in Boston. Another project by Lot-ek.
24 refurbished shipping containers make up this 11,000 SF store.
Read more at Inhabitat
-
Interior DesignerPermalink Reply by Maria Hatzigeorgiadou on -
Very interesting! I always liked the idea of reusing.Couple of years ago , we had the same conversation with some friends when they showed me the following http://www.geekologie.com/2007/12/shipping_container_transforms.php
its propably something out of mass production and im not sure if this is working or is just to show of.
The perfect in my opinion is if we could have reusage , safety , economy and some "romance"...
im thinking and worrying if someday these containers will be the main "house" for the low levels masses of our society...
( i know im too emotional maybe...)
-
ArchitectPermalink Reply by Vishal Charles on -
@airamhag: I think it depends on how people perceive shipping containers - as something that's used because of cost and necessity or as something novel or cool. If you look at some of the existing and planned projects by lot-ek and other firms that are on the forefront of shipping container architecture, I think it's certainly going towards the 'cool' factor. I would fear for exactly the opposite- that shipping containers use will be restricted to the high end. I hope reuse is one of the options that all designers consider as part of the design process.
LOT-EK Highrise in New York (via Treehugger)
-
Interior DesignerPermalink Reply by Maria Hatzigeorgiadou on -
@ Vishal Charles
wow! that is inspiration..
I see ur point..i think i can accept this point of view :)
I hope as time goes by i ll become more openminded and not so suspicious :)
-
Permalink Reply by Nadine Bouler on -
Has anyone been inside one? How does the space feel? I like the concept--esp for urban and industrial use.
-
ArchitectPermalink Reply by Vishal Charles on -
good point. This calls for a trip to Boston or New York :)
-
Permalink Reply by Nadine Bouler on
-
I'm all in. New York containers here I come--
-
Permalink Reply by Daniel Sokol on -
I live in one (two actually) in NH and am in the process of setting up shop in Desert Hot Springs. My site is www.leedcabins.com
The key to livability is the insulation - closed cell foam; I'm toasty in the winter (electric radiant floor heat) and ice cold in the summer (13.5K BTU RV Unit on roof). Here in the desert I now find that the a/c isn't as necessary because of the insulating properties of the foam.
© 2013 Created by Archisage.
