Much of the world’s long-distance cargo is transported in shipping containers.
They are designed to be tough, durable and long-lasting. Returning the empty containers can be costly, they often remain for years at the shipping port or on a storage lot. While this can be expensive for the shipping industry, this provides an opportunity (and quite a bit of savings) for the consumer. These steel containers can be repurposed in many incredible ways. The large quantities available and cost-effective prices make these containers modifications appealing to architects and designers worldwide.
Pac-Van’s Lafayette, Louisiana branch recently sold two used shipping containers to the Lafayette Habitat for Humanity that partnered with the University of Louisiana’s Lafayette School of Architecture and Design students to build the first custom shipping container home in the nearby McComb-Veazey neighborhood.
The 1020 House gets its name from the container’s dimensions. The 10’ and 20’ used shipping containers are two of the main features of the 435 square foot custom shipping container home.
Students from the university’s school of architecture and design designed the mobile container home. They also modified the two containers off-site and transported them into place after the foundation set. This project gives the students a chance to build a sustainable and affordable living space. By repurposing the used containers, they are also playing a roll in the creation of a more environmentally-friendly mobile container home.
The shipping containers are made of 14-gauge, or 1/16th of an inch thick, corrugated steel. In the Louisiana climate, this could translate into a lot of heat, so students applied 2-inch thermal insulation. Sections of the mobile container home also sit 16 inches off the ground to allow for adequate airflow beneath the structure. A sloped roof runs the distance of the home and offers shade. Glass doors and windows allow light, as well as air, to stream into the house, and the living room features a 13-foot ceiling.
Shipping containers are still mainly used to transport cargo or to store goods, but the customized container market is growing. Used shipping containers are being modified, transformed and repurposed into amazing things. Clearly, the possibilities are endless with custom storage container modifications.
Let Pac-Van know how we can help provide you with construction ideas for your next shipping container project. Whether you’re looking to buy, rent or modify a shipping container, the team at your local Pac-Van branch can help.
