Shipping Container Architecture- Krissy Andrews

To further my research I want to explore sustainable and eco friendly buildings that are aesthetically pleasing, contemporary architecture. After discovering a site called web urbanist I found a post that included 10 architectural creations using cargo containers. There are huge amounts of discarded cargo containers taking up space upon docks all around the world. The primary reason for this is because it is cheaper to buy new containers than to ship empty containers back, so why not put these discarded containers to use?

Here are several examples of modern container architecture:

'Shipping container architecture' has been around for a number of years, but the first two story (or two container) house was designed by Peter DeMaria in 2006. He has designed many more incredible designs since then that can be found on his website here. His experimentation in transforming such a mundane object to an exceptional example of architecture fascinates me and leads me to further research on creative high-end furniture designs. The paradox of using such discarded and unwanted goods to create a designer home intrigues me and leads me to explore other eco-friendly objects that could be useful in contemporary architecture.

Peter DeMaria's Home

Clive Wilkinson is a South African architect and interior designer well known for his award-winning office design for Palotta Teamworks ( I suggest you watch this youtube clip here for a tour around his designs).  Many large companies are looking for a greener alternative when designing their head offices due to the recession, making shipping containers an affordable option for as little as $900 each. Their strength, durability and availability make them a perfect object for large corporate businesses,  and their geometric and airy aesthetic design is a definite attraction.

Palotta Teamworks

Peieter Peerlings and Silvia Mertens: The designers behind the four-story Sculpt(IT) ultimate living space. This slick and contemporary design is a replica of the container architecture faze. Mirroring the dimensions and airy design of a container it is built between two existing walls separated by four wooden floors. Perhaps a better form of material than the opposing containers? Two glass blocks are located at each end of the structure, creating a very exposed and transparent area, "Where is the border of living if everything is visible?" They did in fact have a reason for creating such a transparent space, a witty stab at the "former trade" in the neighborhood: Prostitution.

Sculpt(IT)

I wondered while researching this topic if this emerging trend starting as an eco-friendly way of designing offices and spaces, will inspire designers to find even more affordable and easier ways of portraying this popular trend in harsh economic times rather than designers taking this trend into the corporate and expensive real estate market?

For more images on container architecture such as the Eco-Pod and Port-A-Batch visit here 

Sources: 
Renaissanceronin
DeMaria Design
Real Estate
Web Urbanist
Design Crave
Archinect

Date found: 2 April 2013

Designers: 
Peter DeMaria
Clive Wilkinson
Pieter Peerlings
Silvia Mertens