Shipping container architecture is a form of architecture using steel intermodal containers (shipping containers) as structural element. It is also referred to as cargotecture, a portmanteau of cargo with architecture.
The use of containers as a building material has grown in popularity of the past several years due to their inherent strength, wide availability, and relatively low expense. We have also started to see people build homes with containers because they are seen as more eco-friendly than traditional building materials such as brick and cement.
THE KABIN
While we went on a trip to Sekinchan last month, we had a chance to stay at The Kabin, a container lodge in Sekinchan. It was a new experience for us and also a pleasant one.
There are basically two different type of containers used at The Kabin. Their difference are in the length of the container. The shorter ones, with length of 6m are used for rooms for 2-4 person, while the longer ones, with the length of 11.5m can accommodate up to 6 person.
This is the reception of The Kabin, which is also modified from shipping containers. This container is altered on the top to create a higher ceiling height for a more welcoming entrance.
We stayed in the container above.
This cabin is made up of 3 containers. One for the rooms below, another one for the terrace and one on the top. The container above is oriented to not stack directly onto the container below to create a terrace and landscape space below the cantilever. I guess one of the fun part about the container architecture is about the way you arrange the container to create spaces.
The terrace of the container below. Would you know if I didn't mention this is a cabin modified from shipping containers?
The interior of our cabin. It has 2 bunk beds, a private bath. With plaster wall and timber floor, it doesn't even feel like we are in a steel containers. The space for movement and circulation are quite minimal, however the comfy-ness of the room and the bed is beyond words. *I miss the bed so muchhhh
Measured drawing showing the measurements and other info of Vancouver.
This is a public space for people to hang out and chill, also a shipping container, elevated from the ground supported by I-beams.
Facing the swimming pool, Durban cabin is the only cabin with a Queen bed, only accommodate 2 person.Although it is facing the swimming pool, we were concern about the sound insulation of this room as the sound of people playing in the pool may become a problem. Shockingly, the sound-proofing of the room is very well taken care, and according to Sarah who stayed in this cabin, she didn't have any problem with the noise from the pool.
Measured drawing showing the measurements of Durban and Hamburgh, the cabin that can accomodate 6 person.
THE SKIT
The Georgia-based architect Dachi Papuashvili recently shared his plans to construct a tiny home using two shipping containers. He is calling this house The Skit and he plans for it to be shaped like a cross, with one of the shipping containers standing vertically and the other traversing it perpendicularly.
The Skit is a planned 4-floor structure, with three floors measuring only 4 square meters (43 square feet), and a fourth, larger floor that will measure 12 square meters (130 square feet). It was designed to be used as a full time residence for a single person, though it could also be used as a guesthouse, vacation home or office.
The separate floors are accessible via a ladder, since there is not enough room for an internal staircase. The house consists of a bedroom, a combined living area and study, a kitchen and dining room, as well as a prayer room on the top floor. The first floor of the house will be used primarily as the storage area for food and the captured rainwater, and it will also house the battery array. The exterior of The Skit will be clad in wood, and will also have 2 cozy balconies on the roof of the horizontally placed container.
Not only will The Skit be built using recycled shipping containers, but it will also be a very sustainable. The architect plans to equip it with a roof top mounted solar panel array, which will generate enough energy to make The Skit completely independent of outside energy sources. Another sustainable feature of The Skit will be the rainwater collection system, which will make it very water efficient. The Skit will also be equipped with a composting toilet and shower that will be powered by the collected rainwater. All the heating needs will be met via a small wood-burning stove. In other words, the planned shipping container home will be completely off-the-grid.
Opening on both side of the the horizontal container, and the top of the vertical container allow hot air that rises to leave the structure and hence create a cross ventilation that efficiently cools off the structure.
I chose this for my case study because I was amazed when I first saw the design. I have never seen a container oriented in the vertical way. It looks very fun and inviting people to explore what is inside.
The timber cladding on the exterior and interior gives a very warm feeling, the contrary of the coldness given out from a shipping container. The beauty of this house is that it doesn't looks like a container. You wouldn't know it is a shipping container if you weren't told.
The green technology that he applied in the house is also something new to me. Especially the solar panel and rainwater harvesting that will be very efficient in our climate. As our final studio also requires us to design for 2 person, I think it is possible to implement the sustainable technology to the SOHO project.
ANDRIANCE HOUSE
Architect adam kalkin combines 12 shipping containers inside a larger structure to create the Adriance House in northern maine. The home uses the containers partially for structure, supporting a glazed glass structure that envelops the home.
The containers flank the two side walls of the home and on the ground floor are open to reveal the kitchen and the living area. Two steel staircases lead up to the second level of containers where the bedrooms are located.
The whole space covers close to 4000 square feet and features a double height garage door style opening that connects the entire home to the outdoors. Kalkin worked with Butler to construct the home. Butler has a long history with pre-fabricated architecture, having worked with buckminster fuller in the 1940’s on his dymaxion deployment unit.
First floor consist of mainly public space with open floor plan concept.
Going up the steel staircase are different bedrooms in different container.
Difference between Adriance House and The Skit is that this house is larger, with 12 shipping containers. Other than that, Adriance is also more more open to the outdoor compared with The Skit. The two double-height garage door instantly connects the interior of the building to its surrounding when its open.
Also, Adriance house uses the natural exterior appearance of the shipping container, which is also very different from The Skit that clads the container on both sides. By keeping the natural texture of the container, it brings a different feeling to the space and the whole structure. It appears to be more playful and rustic, especially with the cement render floor. Adriance house exposed most of the structures, while The Skit hides all of the services and supporting member. Both of them have their own aesthetic value.