Have you heard about Cargotecture? It is a branch of architecture that uses shipping containers as building material. The number of buildings made from shipping containers is rapidly increasing. And there are many reasons for that. First of all, they are very strong. They can be the same size making them perfect for combining into larger structures. Additionally, they are cost effective and easy to install and generally more eco-friendly than traditional houses. Let’s see some of the interesting uses.
Bars & Restaurants
You have an idea of opening a restaurant? What is better than having a restaurant made from shipping containers? As it has been said, their price is not high. And you can get a unique restaurant. From Montreal to Sydney, these restaurants are popping up everywhere. In addition, hotels and hostels are another way how you can reuse shipping containers. And the great thing about bars and cafes made from shipping containers is that they are movable and portable. You can install them whenever you like.
Image: jingdianjiaju
Houses
Not only can a shipping container building provide you with an instant office space, but you can actually live in them. Since steel is welded to steel, these houses will withhold even hurricanes and earthquakes. Roofs on these types of houses are so strong that you can grow vegetation on them. These so-called green roofs can significantly reduce heating and cooling.
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If you want to have an extra eco-friendly house, shipping containers are the best solution because you can install a sustainable bamboo facade on them. They are easy to install, too. Someone even built a tree house from shipping containers. These houses are very easy to design. The shape of shipping containers gives you the range of different designs you can make. Sometimes, these houses are indistinguishable from traditional ones.
Schools
In poor and underdeveloped countries, schools made from shipping containers are the cheapest option. A primary school can be built from only one shipping container as it was done in Cape Town, South Africa. The versatility of functions of a shipping container building makes them perfect for education sector. Not only can these containers be converted into classrooms, but they can be used as a storage of playground and sports equipment, bike sheds, changing rooms, as well. Additionally, you can convert a shipping container into school clubs such as math club, foreign language club, chess club and many more.
Growtainers
A growtainer is a shipping container converted into an indoor farm, where you can grow whatever you like, and it can be equipped with LED lighting, water conserving hydroponic and drip-irrigation systems. These converted shipping containers are controlled by a PC-based microprocessor system. They are made to be very user-friendly. Not everyone has green fingers. Even US military will start using growtainers in locations where the conditions are very difficult to provide fresh vegetables for the troops. This fact says a lot about effectiveness of a growtainer. There are many benefits of growtainersm, as those who have one can have year round production. Another benefit is longer shelf life and increased freshness. There is one more thing about these structures. As restaurants can use them as well if they want to grow their own ingredients, they are bound to become farms of the future.
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Pools
Making a pool out of a shipping container can be very easy and fun DIY project. Your pool size can vary, since there are 10ft, 20ft and 40ft containers. These pools are made waterproof in various ways. They can be lined with a water-proof lining or they can be welded. On the other hand, you can paint the interior.
As you can see, there are plethora of ways how to modify and convert a shipping container. From houses and schools to pools down to bars and restaurants, shipping containers will definitely made the world a better and more eco-friendly place.