Container modules have the perfect scale to be used in the architectural sector
Houses with
containers or rather, that architecture with metal containers is on the rise.
In times of crisis, risky proposals, is what an architect friend of mine
commented, who is designing a detached single-family house with maritime
modules.
A way of
building relatively cheap, fast and tested for many years in different
countries. A container house can be a very valid option.
It is
curious, in countries of Northern Europe with extreme climates, the
construction of modular housing is used and, a country like Spain, with a
temperate climate, is despised, we like too much the brick.
What materials are the containers made of?
The
materials used in shipping containers are mainly made of corrugated steel. In
some cases, aluminum and plywood with fiberglass reinforcement.
What are the dimensions of a container and how much does it cost?
First of
all, these modules are designed to store and transport goods over long
distances. However, they have an adequate human scale, that is to say, they are
valid to project habitable spaces, hence the container houses.
Generically, the standard dimensions and characteristics of the container are as follows:
Transportation
is important in the cost of containers. To be left in the garden of our house,
the cost will be around 700 € (including unloading at 200 km distance).
As an
example and to have an overview of container prices ... How much is a container
worth? According to last comments, to obtain a “decent” container for a house,
we should pay from 3.500 € approximately.
You can ask
for prices and doubts from Ibercontainer. We can visualize several types and
prices of containers, both new and second hand.
When inquiring about container costs, it is also necessary to inquire about transport costs.
What to take into account when buying a container for an architectural project
First of
all, for a construction with containers we must recognize the functionality it
will have; for exterior or part of the structure, for interior, only as
ornament, etc.
container
construction typologies
Typologies
of shipping container houses
Appearance
Description
Condition
of the container Make sure the container is in good condition. Check the
structural integrity, the presence of rust, deformations and holes, as well as
the condition of the doors and floor.
Container
size Containers come in several standard lengths: 10 feet (3 meters), 20 feet
(6 meters), and 40 feet (12 meters). The size you need will depend on your
space requirements.
Type of
container There are several types, including dry cargo, open top, double door,
side door, refrigerated, etc. The type you need will depend on the project.
Certification
If you plan to transport the container by sea, you may need a CSC (Convention
for Safe Containers) certification.
Pre-treatment
Some have been treated with chemicals that may be harmful to people - check the
history!
Local
regulations Check the relevant regulations depending on the location of the
future house. Some areas may have specific restrictions.
Transportation
and installation Consider the costs and logistics of transportation from the
place of purchase to your property.
Total cost
for a construction Be sure to consider all associated costs, not just the
purchase price of the container; transportation, installation, modifications,
insulation, etc.
Initially
container houses are not covered by generic regulations (efficiency, lighting,
ventilation, insulation, reinforcements, etc.) although we do have guidelines
regarding compliance with general concepts of structure, thermal and acoustic
insulation, etc. applicable to any type of construction and use.
What type
of container to use in a housing construction
First, we
have to be clear about how many transport modules we will need for the project.
It is advisable to make a sketch or plan, with the needs of our house and then
“play” to fit pieces on the floor of the container house.
Multiple
containers: Usually more than one module is needed per project.
First floor
house: For single-story constructions, new or used containers can be used.
Multi-storey
house: New containers are recommended for the ground floor, second-hand for the
upper floor.
When
building in height, the first floor containers must be new to ensure that the
structural stability is intact.
Container
height:
Habitable
height is a crucial factor. It is suggested to look for 40 ft HC (2.70 m)
containers to obtain a habitable height of 2.40 - 2.50 meters. In corridors or
wet areas, we can use lower and more standard sizes.
Verify
dimensions: When purchasing it is necessary to check both the inside dimensions
of the containers and the outside dimensions, depending on the manufacturer,
they may change slightly in size.
Check
regulations: It is essential to make sure that the shipping modules comply with
the corresponding ISO standard, necessary resistance standards and adequate
external measurements.
Second-hand
container: Checking the structural condition is crucial, given its exposure to
different conditions during its previous use.
As a note,
in the article house plans reference a total of 28 ecological houses that we
can investigate different distributions made by large architectural firms.
Advantages
of container architecture
Ease of
transport and variety of containers.
Easily
stackable (up to 5 heights depending on their base).
Fast
construction that favors cost reduction.
This
section is important, the reduction in cost due to the speed in its execution
on site. The optimization in the use of materials, machinery, facilities and
above all, the control of the work flow during the construction process can
have savings of up to 50%.
cost reduction of prefabricated houses
Its cost is
lower than a traditional construction.
They are
environmentally friendly because of the recycling of a container.
They are
resistant and safe.
They are
much more harmless to the environment than traditional construction and do not
generate permanent alterations on the ground.
Disadvantages
of container architecture
They are
narrow. In some spaces, in order to
comply with habitability standards, the combination of several containers will
be necessary.
Need to
adapt the architectural project to the dimensions of the habitable module.
Need for a
base structure and according to its new purpose.
Economic
investment in its adaptation to its new use as housing. In addition to practice
a structural reinforcement if we want to do things right.
In some
projects it will be necessary to use a new container to build the house,
usually when several heights are required.
The
maintenance of the container is costly. Corrosion must be avoided.
Plans for
building a container house
Due to the
dimensions of the modules, in many cases we have to adapt in them for the
distribution of the different rooms of the house; bathroom, bedrooms, dining -
living room...etc. We provide some plans of distribution as an example of
design and that can give us ideas.
If we want
more detailed plans of houses made with containers as the following image, we
will have to go to the professional part with CAD drawings. From the article on
how to find free AutoCAD blocks you have it literally solved.
The
construction in containers or based on habitable modules is gaining more and
more strength in a market that demands a cheapening in the acquisition of
housing, and in turn, do not lose the quality and comfort needed.
How to build and design a house with containers
In this
sense, container architecture is developing multiple techniques based on new
technologies that facilitate a substantial improvement in the efficient
performance and design of container housing.
The
construction using containers allows a wide modular game to shape our home. In
the following infographic we can see different examples of combinations that
enable homes with different shapes:
housing
block typologies
Examples of container houses
1.- Guides and manuals for building with containers
Build a
house with building containers HERE
From the
article modular housing and prefabricated architecture you will find more
information and manuals on the subject covering aspects not so focused on the
plan of the container house but in the prefabricated with modules and why to
build it, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
2.- Constructions with containers
We leave
you a video of the construction process of a container house.
Given the
existence of different types of modules, designers are providing a series of
container houses that go beyond a simple and common aesthetic. Some examples of
industrial designs that we like are:
1.- Individual container house
From the
team of designers CG Architects they bring us the perfect example of a careful
and functional design. A house made with shipping container.
At the base
are two metal modules where the day area, on these, there are two others
forming a cantilever that houses the sleeping area. A visual spectacle that
undoubtedly enhances the good design of the houses made with containers that we
are going to see.
modern
container houses
Container
house
The
residence has three en-suite bedrooms, a kitchen and a spacious living room,
each of which shows a different aspect of the joshua tree. additionally, a
covered garage with solar panels provides power to the house.
containers
build homes
Houses made
with containers
2.- Buildings with containers
Although
container houses are having a considerable increase in popularity, the “boom”
is focusing on the construction of buildings made with containers mainly
because of the low cost and speed of construction.
Examples of
a coherent design, there are many, but especially highlights a neighborhood in
the city of Amsterdam dedicated to students. There are several buildings with
these recycled container structures.
Container buildings
This type
of housing has turned Keetwonen into the most important dormitory city in the
country, demonstrating that shipping container houses can be converted into
fully equipped housing at more than affordable prices, all thanks to modular
container architecture.
