This week, as I was browsing Pinterest looking for inspo for a moodboard on an upcoming project, I kept seeing container buildings pop up, and I went down a rabbit hole.

I’ve had a phase of appreciating the construction of homes using shipping containers before, but I have never really explored this concept further until recently, so I thought I’d share what I have learned about it so far.

A little backstory on shipping containers for my newbies

In 1956, Malcolm McLean changed the transportation game forever with his invention of the “intermodal” container which became the standard shipping container that we know today.

He probably didn’t anticipate it, but his invention would go on to revolutionize the construction industry too.

In 1987, the first official mention of a container house was recorded when Phillip Clark filed for a patent to convert shipping containers into a residential house, which was approved two years later.

The 1990s brought a trend of building container homes that gained momentum mainly because they were a cheaper and environmentally-friendly alternative back then.

It wasn’t until 1998 that the first building made entirely from shipping containers was built. This was the Simon’s Town High School Hostel in Cape Town which had a capacity of accommodating 120 guests.

Why would anyone want to build with shipping containers anyway?

The history behind containers is cool and all, but this blog is more concerned with how the concept of container buildings might be a game changer for the future of architecture than anything else.

What are the benefits of a building with shipping containers, you ask. Well let’s see, shall we!

Modularity

The strongest appeal of shipping containers is the modular freedom they bring to the table. 

Their shape and sizes are very convenient for prefabricating spaces that can be stacked together in any form to create the building of your imagination.

And the best part? They are movable! This makes them not only fast to create, but also easy to duplicate. In a fast paced world which is going through a housing crisis, this is a great alternative to mass produce housing options in a short time.

Sustainability

We live in a world overflowing with waste, so why not reuse what we already have?

Shipping containers are made from one of the most commonly recycled materials: steel.

Structures made from them are using 100% recycled steel and saving the environment from the extensive energy that would’ve been used to melt down and reproduce the material from scraps.

Aside from reducing waste, they are also the ideal circular material and low-impact building structure especially when combined with passive design techniques and green energy (solar, hydroelectric, etc).

Affordability

With the way shipping containers are easy to modify, they cut costs on the time and money that would’ve been spent in constructing from the ground up.

The fact that a home can be prefabricated and easily transported to the site is truly appealing, especially if you’re building for communities that are facing housing shortage and need something fast and affordable.

Adaptability

It’s not lost on me (or anyone) that shipping containers being used as a construction tool is a testament to its versatility, but it is even more adaptable than that!

With the flexibility they offer designers, they can be adapted to different scales for different purposes; be it residential, to coffee shops, to temporary pop-up structures, to bigger urban infrastructure–the possibilities are endless.

Their size allows them to be able to fit anywhere, and their materiality is a common and popular choice to most anyways, so they work in favor of every place on earth–given that they’re properly worked with.

They are also ideal for moving around. How many times have we wanted to relocate but wish we could take a piece of our old homes or all of them with us? Well, with container homes you wouldn’t have to wonder because it’s possible.

Aesthetics

Okay, it is true that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and some people might disagree if I say container buildings are pretty. 

To be fair, I wouldn’t argue if you don’t agree–not because I think they are ugly, but because I believe they are a niche taste that can appeal to people who are more into raw modern and industrial stuff.

The charm, I think, lies in its simplicity.

The minimalist geometry and industrial look they have is a refreshing take on simplicity in architecture, especially for people who may be fascinated by their forms. 

The way containers don’t need to hide behind complicated facades also gives them a strong personality in my opinion.

And it doesn’t hurt that they pair nicely with other materials, especially timber and stone.

Behind every successful container building lies………challenges?

It wouldn’t make sense for me to come here and glaze shipping containers and leave without talking about the challenges that come with it.

There is a reason why container homes are still a niche, despite how perfect working with them may sound.

Here are some reasons that have made people take a step back and reconsider working with them before:

Thermodynamics and acoustic comfort issues

As much as they seem practical, containers weren’t made for humans to live or work in them.

Since they are made from steel, they tend to heat up very fast, especially in hot climates like ours here in Rwanda.

This can, however, be dealt with by properly insulating them and incorporating impeccable ventilation systems and shading, but this comes at a cost, and this makes them “not worth the hassle” for most.

Them being metals also affect their acoustics, and in the end keeping the spaces well-tuned and cool can cost more than it might seem at first.

Structure and materiality limitations

From the outside, containers may look strong and sturdy because of their boxy nature, but once you start cutting into them for openings (windows, doors,etc) it weakens them.

This leaves you no choice but to use reinforcement to keep the structure safe, which adds on the cost and can even be complex to do.

And keep in mind they have been used in water so they are most likely to come with rust, dents or even toxic coating.

This means they’d need extra work before they can be deemed safe or durable enough for long term use.

Cost and upkeep concerns

Most projects we see that have used containers market them as very cost efficient, which is true to some extent depending on what you’re comparing them against, but the truth is far more nuanced.

When you look at the cost of actually revamping the containers (assuming we are reusing and readapting, not using brand new ones which is in my humble opinion pointless) coupled with modification costs like reinforcing and insulating, it’s not so cost efficient.

And that doesn’t even account for transporting the prefabricated pieces and adding finishing touches!

And then you have to think of the long term maintenance which can vary in cost depending on how good the container was rendered safe and durable before/during construction.

Regulatory concerns and the lack of experienced skilled labour

Every city has its own clear building codes for urban planning purposes.

Depending on the understanding and flexibility of the city when it comes to different materials and building practices, you can risk encountering delays in getting approvals or meeting safety standards.

You also have to consider that since this is a relatively new field, we don’t really have enough skilled people that can work with containers from the construction industry.

Don’t get me wrong, there are people who are very skilled around containers, who know them from the inside out and can modify them for any use, but they usually don’t have any construction knowledge or experience.

You would need to assemble a very diverse and strong team to make them actually build a worthy container building, and the logistics for that aren’t so easy to fulfill.

So, can we say that they are the future of architecture?

I will let you form your own opinion on that for now.

But one thing is for sure, understanding the layered reality behind container buildings gives us a new perspective: are we ready to rethink what makes our buildings?

Could it be that the future of architecture lies in determining what a building is, not based on the shape or material used, but by what said material or shape implies instead? 

Whether that is sustainability, cost effectiveness, unorthodox and experimental building practices, or flexibility among others, are we prioritising convention over innovation should be our real concern when it comes to the future.

A takeaway for my readers

Container buildings are not just an innovative and daring initiative, they are a nice example of adaptive reuse and I will never stop advocating for any such initiative.

Dealing with them may be layered, but at least they are one way to experiment–after all humanity thrives on trial and error learning.

I hope you learned something new today. As for me, I am glad I could share this fascinating topic with you today. Can’t wait to see you soon, bye!