From ordinary to extraordinary: Recycled shipping container houses

The ordinary:

Every year thousands of shipping containers go into excess at shipyards and similar storage locations across the whole world. These containers could be used efficiently to make strong shipping container houses. They solve the problem of disposing of these huge shipping containers and provide an efficient building material for making eco friendly houses. These recycled shipping containers could even be used for making swimming pools. These are easy to transport across the globe and their simplified designs make their residential structural construction easy.

Shipping container house

Inspiration:

The process of recycling is talking toll all over the world to save environment as well as resources. Similar efforts were made to create constructive house by recycling shipping containers. The flexible and modular shape of these containers served as an inspiration for transforming these structurally strong containers into houses.

The extraordinary:

The strength, availability and low cost have made these shipping containers ideal to be used as building materials. The houses made up of these containers could easily tolerate harsh weather conditions and they could be easily transformed into beautiful luxurious homes. Various stylish and affordable homes have been made using these portable containers.

The target group:

People who love to live green with nature love these homes. These houses are perfect blend of eco friendliness and affordability. It’s a win-win situation for environment lovers. Style and luxury of these homes are in the hands of owner. Well decorated full equipped homes can be carved out from simple portable containers without creating any harm to the Mother Nature. No trees are cut, no material needs transportation, and no carbon footprint is left because it’s a complete eco sensitive way of creating lodging for people keeping both, nature and human needs in mind.

Usage:

Their shape is perfect for creating offices, workspace, worker houses etc. The houses made up of these shipping containers could be relocated elsewhere when the place being occupied by these containers is needed for alternate use. These shipyard houses are so comfortable that they are being used for youth centers, classrooms, office spaces, retail spaces, store houses, etc. all over the world.

Related trends:

1. Ecopod

Ecopod

Creating homes from shipping houses is not a new concept but very few have practically implemented it. These homes are eco friendly and can be easily transported from one place to another, specially the single level structures. The only area to be worked upon is that these houses have steel body and steel conducts heat very efficiently therefore, some insulation must be provided to make these houses suitable for human beings occupancy. Insulation of bricks, blocks or some wooden structure could serve the purpose very well.

2. Greentainer

Greentainer

The Greentainer project has been created in Ghandino, Italy and is the perfect example displaying whimsical container architecture. A portable, flexible and self-reliant structure has been created using a 40-foot big container. The Greentainer could be used for multiple uses and transported to infinite locations easily. The solar panels fitted on the roof of the Greentainer provides it with the power needed to run heating and cooling systems as well as lights and other energy driven equipments inside it. This self-efficient house could be used for parties, events, art shows or some grand opening depending upon the situation.

3. Espace Mobile

ESPACE MOBILE

A unique line of customizable houses has been launched by Espace Mobile ranging from €55,000 to €95,000. These affordable eye-catchy houses are environment friendly and have a modular structure with flexible and long lasting durability. These Espace homes are custom made like automobile purchase allowing users to select the required features ranging from size to configuration, roofing to balcony, and interior to exterior. The house has full provisions for energy conversation. These houses come with 3 years warranty and have proper heat retention. Sizes vary from 7 meters to 15 meters of length and 4 meters wide.

4. Port-a-Bach Shipping Container

Port-a-Bach

A beautiful eco friendly beach houses and holiday homes have been constructed in New Zealand termed as A Bach. They represent New Zealand’s history and culture. These have been created beautifully by Cecile Bonnifait and William Giesen. Though the task of creating a sweet homely place out of a narrow structure was not easy but they did it. They completely opened one side of the container by folding it down which helped in creating a brightened and lighted ambiance inside the house. Each and every corner of the house has been used carefully and resourcefully for example the doors of the container give support to the bed. The whole architecture has high level finishing and provides ample space for at least two adults and two children. It’s a portable structure which is easy to transport and does not poses any environment threats.