SHIPPING CONTAINER

ARCHITECTURE

Subject : Elective(sustainable architecture)

Submitted by :Hemanshi vadher
170101101044
 Containers Architecture
Abstract— Reusing and recycling of materials is considered as an
important value in sustainable design and architecture that prolonged
among many historical ages, from reuse of stone, wood, marble columns,
etc.… the previous decades witnessed the use of many materials in
creating spaces that can host various functions, not only for economic or
financial reasons but also for environmental reasons, in addition to the
expenses of getting rid of these materials or reprocessing them by any
mean. From re-use of paper, till reusing steel shipping containers, various
attempts have been made to explore the possibilities, opportunities and
examples of creating many functions, projects, or even large buildings
been constructed in this way, the wide increase of these applications lead
to the emerging of a type of architecture called afterwards containers
Architecture. This paper is an attempt to explore this containers
architecture, by studying different opportunities of reusing these steel
boxes, that are usually supposed to be left unused or expensively
reprocessed in a complicated manufacturing process that not only costs
money but also consuming energy. This type of Architecture aims to
create some architectural spaces that hosts different functions & human
activities, not only on the scale of an individual building but also on a
larger scale that can help in creating a quick or sometimes temporary
solution for a building or a group of buildings that are structurally stable
& safe, environment friendly, with very high capabilities of achieving
aesthetic values that can be utilized by people. Going through this study, it
will explore & analyze some projects and case studies from many points
of views, Geometrically, Architecturally, structurally, financially, and of
course environmentally.
 1 Introduction:
shipping container architecture could be defined as that type of
architecture that is generally characterized by the re-use of steel shipping
containers as a structural element and Architectural envelope that can
host a specific function or a human activity. Often this type of
architecture is termed cargotecture, a blend of conventional architecture
and containers. The applicable of cargotecture has greatly expanded in
the recent times in credit to their strong plating, inexpensiveness, and
widespread obtain ability. It was noticed recently that many people were
building their houses using shipping containers for their low environ-
mental impact in comparison to traditional houses made with brick and
reinforced concrete structure, taking also in consideration the short time
required to erect a building in this way, with future possibilities of
moving these buildings to other locations or adding extra spaces or
volumes. Shipping Container
2 WHAT IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER?
A shipping container is a steel frame-usually cuboids- with a suitable
strength to support large cargo transits and stowage. There are various
types of containers, varying from refillable to universally standardized.
For global trade, the term container is directly associated to a shopping
container which can be loaded onto a great number of transportation
options without requiring unpacking of its contents Though containers
are made with intent to be consistently re- usable, a great number of them
go into neglect when their owner companies possess containers far more
than demand, or due to other economic reasons. This has led to a great
number of neglected and forgotten containers in various ports around
the world. Research has concluded that about twenty million containers
are neglected around the globe at all times, with over one million having
no purpose other than taking valuable space. Shipping Container Dimensions
 3 FACTS 4 EXPECTED LIFETIME OF A SHIPPING
The following table shows the standard imensions, volumes and CONTAINER.
weights of the shipping containers. Based on the use intended for them, most containers are made
to fulfil at least a one-decade lifespan, with three decades
being the chief lifespan target. They are made to be extremely
resilient and secure to facilitate safe cargo transit through a
long dis- tance. Most containers in use these days are
expected to have finished a one-decade lifespan. Through
application of reason- able maintenance, a lifespan far
exceeding the anticipated fig- ures can be expected.

5 USING SHIPPING CONTAINERS IN

CREATING VARIOUS ARCHITECTURAL
SPACES.
One of the main questions raised in Containers architecture
is why a steel shipping container can be reused to create a liva-
ble space. Knowing that geometrically any space could be de-
Various Shipping Container Dimensions fined by different planes, horizontal and vertical, with a
spatial relationship that organizes this space, defines it, and
represents the human function that this space was created to
be performed in, with the scale and dimensions, another
value is added, thus leading to a better performance in this
function, or another function that could be added or
performed. So looking at any steel shipping container, the
main and basic conditions of a space exists, with some
modifications it can host various human activities of
functions, thus creating not only functioning spaces but also
interesting spaces for people to live, use and enjoy.
points of loading in a traditional Shipping Container
 Bearing Loads on Corner Posts

WHY COULD A SHIPPING CONTAINER BE USED AS A SPACE

UNIT THAT CAN CREATE A BUILDING OR AGROUP OF
BUILDINGS?
6.1. The composition of the shipping container:
Any shipping container is composed of 6 planes, floor, top, and four sides,
made of steel, in regular corrugations that help in making these sides strong
enough to tolerate loads, or pressures that may occur during the transportation
process, in addition to steel posts and enforcements whether in the corners, or
intersections of these planes(sides), or below the floor, or above the top.
Accordingly, as a structure, its designed to resist forces as mentioned that
exceeds the forces being developed in many architectural spaces like
residences, offices, dorms, etc.
6.2. Storage Order:
Containers on a global scale are constructed with their
frames intended for stacking in a standardized manner. It is not possible for
containers to be stacked in any other manner other than the standardized norm.
This is because the frames are meant to stack in a universal alignment with no
other locks emplaced to facilitate an alien alignment. Containers on top of each other
 Shipping Order of containers in regular horizontal and vertical lines

Steel Container Exploded View

showing its structural composition
 . Keetwonen in amsterdam, the netherlands
The largest container locality in the world is located in Nether- lands. This city was created by Tempo housing, and called Keetwonen.
This city went on to gain huge prominence in the country, particularly in students groups. The city has become the second largest
dormitory in the city of Amsterdam. The success of Keetwonen displaced any previous anxiety that container households would be either
too noisy, small, or cold. The containers proved to be highly cost-efficient, roomful and insulated against noise and effects of weather,
beating out other student housing schemes present in the city.
Keetwonen also manages to offer utilities that were missing in other student housing societies; each house came complete with its own
kitchen, bathroom, gallery, study and bedroom. Each house featured upsized glass windows to facilitate daylight entering the house and
ventilation system. This project was based on the requirements of students, a personal space for study without the necessity to share showers
and bathrooms with individuals to whom you are unfamiliar. The city offers plenty of opportunities to facilitate student convenience, for
instance, the interior area features a cordoned area to facilitate

Keetwonen is the biggest container city in the world. the designer worked on creating dynamic external Keetwonen is the biggest container city in the
spaces.

The Keetwonen was constructed in 2005, though it may appear that residents are living inside metal boxes, the interiors is ac- tually quite
affluent on the standards of students. Each house consists of its own gallery, kitchen, and bathroom. There even is access to fast broadband
internet. This housing was meant as a temporary location for student housing, however, relocation plans have been extended as further as
2016 and students and individuals who purchased their containers can relocated their house to a new personal spot.
 Cite A Docks
 Architect: Cattani Architects
 Location: La Havre, France
 Date: 2010
 This structure is a dormitory located in Le Havre, France.
 One hundred dorms were construction through trans- forming old containers into a four-
story building.
 Each apartment has 24 square meters and includes a bathroom and a kitchen, which is just
about everything a student could need.
 Observing the building façade, it sponsors a highly metallic and dull theme, which fails to
complement the students’ learning energy.
 According to the developers, the metallic framework facilitates greater identification of
various rooms and broadens them by using foreign extensions, which are modified, into
balconies.
 The sloping architecture provides the entire structure a mixed feeling of being both filled
and hollow. Granting a more scenic view.
 This existence of this structure is in credit to modified used containers. The medications
provided changes the containers into complete houses spanning 24 sq meters individually,
and amounting over hundred houses in a 4-floored structure.
 One of the chief designers for this structure provided reflection on her through process.
using a distinctive color helped in creating an
eye- catching mass of rooms. The team had to work against the popular sentiment against stacking. The housing
demands have changed drastically and therefore this structure had to be designed in a
way that ensures greater feeling of personal housing independences.
 Containers came out as the best solution, older models would be renovated, and interior
space would be re- furbished. The designing on containers allowed for them to be stacked
on each other and foreign objects, such as walkways would be erected to facilitate
movement.
 Container based framework makes it easier to identifies the boundaries of each house and
floor plan for a typical room.
makes them aesthetically pleasing through the placement of terraces .The sloping effect
makes the structure even more aesthetically pleasing through portraying the structure as
 Structure, comprised of one hundred houses, is spread over 4 floor plan. The first floor was elevated to ensure identical privacy for the
ground floor residents as the residents from upper floors receive. Each house faces a garden located within the structure premises, plenty of
windows and glass walls facilitate consistent penetration of natural light into each house.
In order to facilitate greater noise and temperature isolation, the containers at dividing locations those lacking adjacent containers were coated
with forty centimeters of reinforced concrete, alongside rubber coating to ensure minimal vibrations.
 The external facade is designed by the combination of the old “boxes” that has kept the undulating, repainted in metallic gray. Inside, the
designers chose white walls and wooden furniture. Each studio has a bath- room and a kitchen.

the inside of the container the designer worked on creating

dynamic external spaces.

a steel skeleton was constructed to

host the containers.

plans and sections through the room shipping

Sections through the shipping con- container.
stacking the containers. A distinctive urban configuration tainers.
What Are the Advantages of Shipping Container Homes?
Shipping container homes are durable, cost-effective, and customizable:
They can be more cost-effective than traditional housing. You can purchase a container home for as low as $10,000. They are typically more cost-
effective than conventional housing because they require fewer building materials and labor to construct. You can lower the cost of customizing
your container housing by renovating the dwelling using your DIY skills. They’re quick to construct. Some contractors can build a shipping
container home in under a month. However, hiring a professional to build your container dream home can be pricey. To avoid hefty construction
costs altogether, you can purchase a prefabricated container home from a growing list of companies specializing in building prefab homes off-site.
They’re modular homes. Shipping container homes are easy to modify. You can build a home with a mix of 20- and 40-foot containers. You can
also combine multiple containers to create a larger home with a living room, dining room, extra bedrooms, a second floor, or even a container
guesthouse. They’re durable. Manufacturers typically use corten steel to build shipping containers. This self-healing steel protects cargo during
transport across bodies of water. Shipping container homes made from weathering steel can likely withstand inclement weather conditions better
than traditional housing. They can be mobile. You can use a dedicated shipping transportation service to pick up and relocate an off-the-grid
single-container house anywhere in the world.
What Are the Disadvantages of Shipping Container Homes?
Shipping container homes have a few notable disadvantages:
Obtaining building permits can be difficult. As a relatively new phenomenon, it can be difficult to obtain the necessary permits to build your
shipping container house in some regions. However, there are several places in the United States (including Texas, California, Colorado, and
Oregon) and abroad (including China, New Zealand, and Costa Rica) that host shipping container homes and have regulations in place. Ask your
local city planning office for more information about building codes, zoning restrictions, and permitting requirements for container housing.
Shipping containers are not always eco-friendly. Many proponents tout container living as a great way to recycle old containers, but some home
buyers prefer to convert new containers into housing. Used shipping containers are more eco-friendly, depending on the history of use. Used
containers can incur damage while transporting goods, or have a history of transporting dangerous chemicals. These factors make repurposed
shipping containers a less ideal option for some potential container home buyers. Modern appliances can be difficult. Unless you plan to live off-
grid, you’ll need to find a reliable licensed electrician who is familiar with shipping container architecture to design and install custom electrical
setups for your house. You’ll also need to hire a plumber to install the necessary plumbing work. If your location doesn’t have access to
electricity, you may need to hire a contractor to install solar panels onto the roof.
They often need reinforcements. While storage containers are built out of durable steel, you can compromise their structural integrity with certain
modifications—for instance, cutting holes for a door or large windows. While shipping containers can withstand certain weather conditions, the
weight from heavy snow can cause the roof to bow if the corner castings aren’t strong enough. You will need to hire a contractor to reinforce
load-bearing walls or install a sloped rooftop.