Atypical Housing: Shipping containers contain a housing idea

Some people might agree and some may not if I say that the shipping container buildings are nothing new. Conceptually, these continue to appear on a regular basis. The “Box Office,” a shipping container structure modified into an office, is one such novelty for the eco-fanatics. Standing tall and proud in Providence, Rhode Island, this prefabricated construction touts meticulous stacking of 32 shipping containers. Designed by Joe Haskett, the Distil Studio principal, this building ensures a creative and environmentally conscious development.

prefab boxoffice1

The Box Office, basically, reuses 90 tons of upcycled steel, and flaunts rain gardens, non-petroleum based insulation and low-VOC interior finishes. In addition, there are high-performing windows, doors and an HVAC system to filter pollutants from surface excess water and provide a responsive environment to the inhabitants. The building will use 25% less electricity when compared to the conventional ones. It provides a better insight into the recession-hit construction tactics where prefab and recycled is surely going to rule, says Peter Gill Case of Truth Box.

Making waste usable in building strange abodes:

Anyhow, it’s always better to recycle rather adding nuisance to the environment. The designers and innovators have done a remarkable job in refashioning and lending trash with some usability. Taking the theme of recycling a bit further, here we’ve tried to draft a complete line-up of some wondrous structures reprocessed by redundant materials that have been put to a sensible use:

1) Future Shack

futureshack

Architect: Sean Godsell

Year of Completion: 2004

Green Factor:

- Made from a ready-made, re-used shipping container and

- Fully solar-powered.

Peculiarity: Being entirely self-contained, the units can be shipped to where they’re required.

2) Detroit Container Condo

condo

Architect: Steven Flum

Year of Completion: 2008

Green Factor: Containers reused in fashioning windows and doors out of them.

Peculiarity: Costs about $1.8 million, about 25% less than a normal condo project.

3) Miranda Homes

miranda homes 2

Architect: Rob Boydstun

Year of Completion: 2009

Green Factor: Junked cars morphed into green manufactured houses

Peculiarity: It limits the whole process of building a house down to 45 days. Mind you, a standard home takes an average of six to nine months for completion.

4) Recycled Rococo

recycled house

Architect: Mary Jane

Location: Antonito, Colorado

Green Factor: Made from recycled boards, windows, rocks, glass, pieces of metal and aluminum cans.

Peculiarity: The entire construction looks like a church.

5) DasPark Hotel

pipehotel1

Location: Germany

Green Factor: It is made from recycled pipes and each unit contains a double bed, storage space, light, mains electricity.

Peculiarity: Hands out a strange experience and the Danube, flowing close by, adds to the pleasure of residing in such bizarre cabins.