Shipping Containers: Not Just for Cargo Anymore!

6/4/2014

I love the raised glass roof that connects the containers and allows lots of light in

Over the past few years, the trend of using shipping containers for housing and micro-retail spaces has popped up on my radar. The freight containers caught my attention in San Diego when four entrepreneurial graduate students at the New School of Architecture and Design proposed using them to convert an empty lot into a park. Consequently, during my travels I have noticed more of them as temporary kiosks promoting new development in Auckland and most recently in Las Vegas with the new downtown container park.

This gorgeous home is made of 31 shipping containers and located in Brisbane AU

Apparently, container architecture is now taking the world by storm. Coined as “cargotecture,” recycled freight containers bring efficiency, flexibility and affordability. That is why Architects are turning to the strong, cheap boxes as source building blocks. Shipping containers can be readily modified with a range of comforts. They also can be connected and stacked to create modular efficient spaces for a fraction of the cost, labor and resources of more conventional materials. The quick and inexpensive cargotecture is perfect for creating temporary pop-up ‘hoods’ and parks that replace empty lots sitting vacant for years.

As living spaces, these modified shipping containers have proven highly versatile from cabins in the woods to luxury homes.

Highlighted below are several noteworthy examples of cargotectures that sparked my interest...enjoy!

Temporary kiosks promoting new development in Auckland NZ, 08/13

Downtown Container Park. Las Vegas, NV 03/14

Proposed downtown San Diego park by RAD LAB

6 Comments

Destination Design
Interior Design Blog

At an early age I set out to see the world, and while having already visited over 50 countries, I feel that my journey is just beginning. For me, travel and design go hand in hand. Whether seeking out great shops in trendy neighborhoods or exploring the architectural environment around me, discovering design inspiration everywhere I go enriches me to transform a client’s needs and desires into their dream home.

Tony Howard

6/5/2014 06:45:39 am

Mike, This is so cool!
Have you done this type of home?
Tony

Mike Howard

6/5/2014 04:22:00 pm

Hey Tony, I haven’t done this type of design as of yet but its popping up everywhere. If you Google shipping container home you will see so many more. A container starts around $2000. Very Cool.

Tom H

6/6/2014 01:18:54 am

This trend has caught my eye too. The cool guest house/casita up to that amazing Brisbane house. Wow. Looking forward to visiting the LV container park later this month.

mike.howard.1865217

6/6/2014 01:38:57 am

Tom, LV has done a great job with the park, a nice mix of boutiques and eateries. Make sure to save room for Big Ern’s BBQ!

Susan Geiszler

11/11/2016 06:24:58 pm

I am curious if there is any land available in Clark County, NV that would allow you to build a container house of approximately 1600-1800 square feet on 1 level - preferably.

Eva link

4/14/2021 09:46:48 pm

Nice blog posst