Stunning homes made of shipping containers
The walls of romanesque castles reached up to six meters in width that guaranteed both warmth and safety. The architecture of the Gothic style was decorated with spires, meaning the aspiration to the heaven. What is going on today? Container architecture is on the rise. What container architecture is and how does it look like? Scroll down to learn more.
What is the container architecture?
Container architecture is also known as the cargo architecture. The term appeared in 2003 to describe buildings constructed out of shipping containers. Besides being eco-friendly, such houses present unlimited opportunities for artists. The container acts as a clean canvas one can use to create an amazing house that has no analogs.
There is a common myth claiming that houses built from containers are only meant to be practical. Put that stereotype aside. Minimalistic aesthetics of such building are widen that utilitarian approach to design. Modern architects come up with extraordinary solutions daily. The results are both amazing and inspiring.
The fashion for container architecture can`t be narrowed to self-expression and art only. Such trend is a response to the growing popularity for the ecological lifestyle. Such houses are “green” and safe for the environment. Why is that so? Countries tend to import more that export that leads to inevitable accumulation of the containers. As it is cheaper to buy new containers than ship empty ones back, all the unnecessary boxes are simply folded on rollers. Hence, container architecture is not only used for art, but for the need to preserve the environment.
History of container architecture
In 1970, British scientist Nikolas Lacy finished his dissertation on the reuse of sea containers for the living spaces. That led to a creation of the first container town in Canary Wharf, England. The idea of containers reuse had a massive impact on urban architecture development. In 90the FSB started using containers for the military shelters construction. The first two-staged container house was constructed in 2006 by the Californian architect Peter De Mariya. Todays, houses from containers are becoming a trend, which combines the human’s need for safety, common good and creative self-expression.
What are the benefits of houses built from shipping containers?
From fire to rain, the main benefit of such constructions is their ability to survive any climate disasters. Another advantage of cargotecture is its affordability. Houses made out of containers are about 30% cheaper than similar projects constructed out of cement. In addition to the efficiency and affordability, such houses are easy and fast to build. It usually takes no longer than two or three weeks to construct a container building.
Mobility is another benefit of cargotecture. The constructions are easy to both dissemble and transfer. Interestingly, a lot of container houses are built without foundation as they can easily stand on any kind of flat surface.
What do you think of houses built from shipping containers? Do you find them aesthetical? Would you like invest in the house made out of containers? Leave your comments below.
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