12 AMAZING USES OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS

12 AMAZING USES OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS

Innovation and humans have a very old age connection. The human mind is best known for phenomenal experiments performed over the years. Let’s say, from 50 tons ENIAC (first computer) to portable mobile phones, from the bullock cart to driverless cars, all this explains well that how creative a human brain is! Amongst millions of experiments that somewhere has a great role in gifting us with a more comfortable life, a bag full of mind-blowing ideas of converting either a new or used shipping containers into buildings seems meticulously striking.

Yes! You got it right, buildings from shipping containers.

The invention of shipping containers by Malcolm Purcell McLean has revolutionized the whole transport and international trade. He likely did not know that his invention would revolutionize the building industry as well. Indeed, shipping containers are extensively used as a primary purpose for the storage and transportation of heavy and bulky cargoes by freight forwarding companies. But this new invention was a game-changer, as shippers no longer had to load and unload each crate. It somewhat made their work more convenient and efficient. The military helped the invention of Malcolm Purcell McLean became an indispensable tool for freight transportation especially during the Vietnam War when containers were highly used to transport supplies to troops. It was then when military people had started using shipping containers as shelters to protect and safeguard them in a war zone area, as they were easily and quickly forfeitable.

Since then, containers were used for various side way purposes, but it wasn’t actually much in trend. About a decade ago, some out of the box mindset started converting these versatile

rectangular boxes into more worthy assets like building offices, stores, schools, small restaurants, swimming pools, etc. Today buildings from shipping containers have taken a new shape and it is widely being used by people around the world for various purposes.

Let’s take a glance on some of the novel ways to utilize them-

1. HOUSESThe idea to convert shipping containers into houses is of great fascination amongst people these days. The Four Room House in Belgium, Glassberg in Missouri (the USA), PV14 in Texas are some of the amazing examples. The life span of these houses vary according to the type of container used, but it normally lasts for about twenty-five years with very little or no maintenance. The houses built are durable, cost-efficient and are safe as any other conventional homes

2. HOUSING FACILITIES TO STUDENTMany countries around the world face a very common problem of space constraint nowadays that hinders student accommodation. Recalling our ancestor’s saying that ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ it can be truly be mesmerized that inadequacy of space for accommodation gave rise to the idea of inbuilt and modified shipping containers housing facility.

3. STORESSmall retailers and shopkeepers instead of investing much for a brick-cement construction prefer a container made stores and shops which saves them money being cost-efficient and trendy these days. In countries like USA, this trend is much in demand. This is not only limited to stores. In many countries, even the entire shopping malls are constructs using containers. It is also widely used as temporary pop-up shops to be installed at any event or exhibition due to its transportable capabilities.

4. OFFICESIt’s of no wonder to think of an office made out of shipping containers. Space constraint is very common in many countries, hence it becomes the best alternative as it stack-ability and stiffness allow it for better construction and design. Many entrepreneurs or small companies prefer a container made office to mitigate investing capital.

5. RESTAURANTSIn cities like New York, Paris, Montreal, the US, London, etc a container built hotels/restaurant is in a good fashion and provides a base structure for different types of construction. It catches good attention of people around the world who are planning to a cafe or a restaurant but have an adequate amount of capital for permanent construction. Some of the mesmerizing examples of these hotels are- Winebox Hotel, Valparaiso in Chile, Flophouze Hotel in Texas, Dock Inn in Germany.

6. EMERGENCY HOSPITALSJust like shipping containers are converted to homes, offices, stores, cafes, etc it can also be used as a better alternative for emergency hospitals. These emergency hospitals are truly lifesavers and are of great benefit. Because of their functionality and mobility, it can be easily made available to any place in cases like terrorist attacks, accidents or natural phenomena that require quick availability of hospitality.

7. SWIMMING POOLSOne would definitely wonder while thinking of a swimming pool built out of used stiffed steel boxes. If you are a pool crush person and thinking to construct the same in your yard. A 20’ shipping containers built swimming pool would work wonder for both private and public use. It does not only give you mobility access but it’s also highly cost-efficient that saves much from your pocket that you would spend up for heavy constructing and digging process.

8. SCHOOLSLack of space and unavailability of adequate capital for infrastructural building, shipping containers are also used to provide schooling facilities to poor children. This trend is not only limited to developing countries like South Africa but even developed countries like the USA have also been found adopting these trends as it can be easily modified to make doors, windows, and can be furnished like a classroom.

9. PORTABLE TOILETSTo maintain sanitary conditions and cleanliness, companies or organization usually prefer to keep portable toilets built out from used shipping containers because it is not possible to construct a toilet everywhere. During the time of contingencies, building toilets everywhere is

neither economical nor worth, hence portable toilets are of great benefit in such conditions as it can be carried to any place.

10. STUDIOS/ART GALLERYRe-processing cargo containers for awe-inspiring art gallery or workshop is amongst the growing worldwide trend. Such art galleries or studios reflect creativity which catches great attention to people and makes it a beautiful place to work in. These refurbished studios work perfect for craftsmen or artisans who require a private space to work in silent.

11. DISASTER SHELTERSCargo containers account for great benefits when contingency haunts. For people shattered from their homes due to any of the reasons like- wars, accidents, natural calamities, it serves as the best module to work as a temporary house and provide shelter to many people.

12. VACATION HOMESA home away from home feeling replenished by inexpensive but elegant shipping containers is a new style fashion. Its unique architecture provides you a great ‘Sauna’ to enjoy your vacations, events or just to pass leisure time during holidays.