If you think a shipping container is only used for transporting goods from one port to another, you are living in the past. In the recent years, new uses of shipping containers continue to be discovered by artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs.
This kind of forward thinking is made possible by the wonderful qualities possessed by the shipping container itself. They are durable against wear, tear, and can withstand severe weather. They are lightweight, cost effective, and recyclable.
To comprehend the versatility of cargo shipping containers, here are some of the things people have done to turn these steel boxes into something more.
Prefabricated Modular Housing
Boxy shapes may be outdated in the automotive industry, but certainly not in the property industry. In fact, this characteristic is exactly what makes shipping containers a perfect basic structure to a house. It’s easy to set up and move, so relocation is not out of the question.
Adding wings to the house is also a simpler process, as all one need to do is to cut the steel. Building multiple storeys is also a possibility when using shipping containers as a house’s framework. Shipping containers can be stacked up to ten high thanks to the rigidity and durability of the tubular steel frames.
Schools
In areas where building a traditional school is not possible or extremely expensive, repurposing shipping containers is a viable solution. After all, they are known to be incredibly cheap and provide exceptional value for money, especially when compared to conventional buildings.
Many of these classrooms also embrace the use of renewable energy to provide the same level and quality of education as any other school. Shipping containers have also been used in schools that embrace a green education.
Organic Gardening
One of the most overlooked benefits of a shipping container is its space. Inside is a vast and extensive space waiting to be utilized. Such space is extremely beneficial to organize an organic garden in an urban setting. Hydroponics is one of the most popular gardening method used as the gardener can control the living conditions of the plants.
Art and Museums
Shigeru Ban, a humanitarian architect who won the Pritzker Prize in 2014, constructed The Nomadic Museum. It’s a bespoke mobile gallery made out of shipping containers and paper tubes. The 45,000 square foot complex is regularly assembled and disassembled so the art displayed within can reach millions of viewers around the world.
As for art made of shipping containers, there are two notable examples. The first is the work done by a team of artists in Rotterdam where they disassemble, fold, and twist pieces of a shipping container and mold them into the shape of a modern art sculpture. The second is a piece of public art in Yamashita Park, Yokohama, Japan where the artists stack several shipping containers in a precarious manner.
Commercial Businesses
It’s not uncommon to see restaurants or retail businesses using shipping containers as their base of operations. Shipping containers can be painted and designed to match their particular brand which can increase their appeal to future customers. Another commercial business that has been harnessing the creative potential of shipping containers is hotels.
A high-end ski hotel in the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia uses stacks of shipping containers as their main building. When properly insulated, shipping containers can withstand severe weather.
If you are interested in undertaking a creative process that calls for the use of shipping containers for sale, contact a reputable supplier such as Equipment Management Services. As it will be the main foundation for the structure, you’ll want to ensure it’s of good quality.
Sources:
Top 26 Innovative Uses of Shipping Containers, MarineInsight.com
15 Awesome Ways to Reuse Shipping Containers, WebEcoist.Momtastic.com
