Freight containers are large cargo containers used for the international movement of goods to facilitate intermodal transport. Their shape and characteristics are regulated by the ISO-668:2020 standard of the International Organization for Standardization at global level, and may vary in terms of dimensions, structure, material and purpose depending on the type of cargo to be transported, and may have a useful life for this purpose of up to 10 years.

To understand in greater depth how containers work and how they can be given a second chance at a useful life, it is important to go back to their beginnings. 

In 1956, an American named Malcolm McLean identified a need among those moving goods between countries. The cargo was being transported in trucks, transferring each package one by one to the ship. Thus, McLean decided to create these large metal boxes so that the same cargo that was transported by truck could be loaded onto the ship. Since then, the biggest innovation in the industry has been the creation of the container, which undoubtedly revolutionized international cargo transportation. But what happens to these metal boxes once they have completed their useful life in the movement of goods? We tell you in this article.

Second chance of life for cargo containers

Currently architecture is evolving and revolutionizing, so finding new design alternatives, construction methods and materials used is becoming more and more common. 

This arose due to the need not only to build, but also the constant search to optimize costs, increase sustainability and at the same time to innovate. It is for this reason, that the idea of using maritime cargo containers as a solution arises, being an excellent option as infrastructure. As a curious fact, this type of construction is called "cargotecture", a name that comes from architecture and cargo.

Providing a second useful life to containers is becoming more and more frequent, from industrial use, to housing and commercial use, due to the resistance of its material, the low execution time and the low cost of construction, compared to the usual works. 

Generally, architects who use the "cargotecture" method create a modular architecture, which is achieved by joining and stacking these metallic modules, with steel supports and beams, in order to guarantee stability. In simpler designs, only the containers will suffice. 

The firmness, design and high-strength materials with which a container is modified for industrial use, are what make the building structure thicker and more robust, allowing a more resistant and safe architecture to weather conditions. Here are some examples of structures that can be made with containers:

Wineries

Due to their space and versatility, cargo containers can be used as warehouses to store any type of goods, even refrigerated goods.

Offices

For this type of structure, the container can be arranged in a simple way, from a simple office to a more complex workspace with bathrooms, dining rooms and meeting rooms.

Residential real estate

Containers are usually thought of as dark and cold, but in reality they are quite the opposite. They provide enough space to install beds, complete bathrooms, living rooms, among other comforts, being able to stack the containers and generate large dwellings, such as apartments, hotels and houses. 

Restaurants

Modifying cargo containers for commercial premises is an excellent option, since the profitability will be higher compared to renting a fixed commercial space, due to its mobility and reusability. 

Benefits of giving a second life to cargo containers

Giving cargo containers a new lease of life can bring several benefits that may encourage you to consider it as an architectural option, which is why many renowned architects have decided to venture into this type of structure. Here are some of these advantages:

Greater resistance to climatic eventualities

Cargo containers are manufactured to be as strong and safe as possible, since they must be transported in container ships over long distances, facing possible eventualities. For this reason, when they are used in constructions, there is the assurance of greater resistance to climatic contingencies.

Reusable and environmentally friendly

Although the main purpose of a container is to move cargo from one point to another, there comes a time when they are not useful enough, and that is why they are given a second chance of useful life by being used in architecture, they are quite versatile. 

On the other hand, by building with these metal boxes you are supporting the environment, reducing the amount of construction material, reusing the shipping container and recycling by using recycled raw materials. 

Savings in construction time

As the container is already built, it does not require so much time to finish the installation. You only need to finish the internal details, such as decoration, basic living functions, lighting, and other indispensable factors.

Increased mobility

With these structures there is a greater capacity for mobility due to the versatility of the container, since being only one piece, it can be transported without major difficulty.

Easier assembly

As mentioned above, it is so easy to mobilize the cargo containers to establish them as architectural structures that their assembly is also simple, due to their shape and simplicity.

Examples of famous structures made with cargo containers

There are more and more structures made with cargo containers in the world, from hotels, restaurants, large homes to renowned cafes, which aim to be as sustainable as possible and revolutionize and innovate in the world of architecture. We selected some of the most famous architectures in the world that were built with recycled containers, below we show them to you:

Winebox

Winebox is a hotel and wine factory located in the Cerro Mariposa of the Fifth Region in Chile, it was built with 25 shipping containers being the most recycled hotel in Latin America with 70% of its architecture. It is currently one of the most visited destinations in the area for its curious structure and its numerous wine production, in addition to its terrace and rooftop terrace overlooking the sea, which has become a major tourist attraction.

Starbucks Hualien Bay Mall

In the Hualian Bay Mall in Taiwan is the most sustainable Starbucks in the world, with an area of 320 square meters. It was designed by architect Kengo Kuma and built with 29 recycled containers, which were placed simulating an arch of Chinese cubes, making available two floors to be inside and appreciate its views of the mountain range. This project is part of the "Starbucks Greener Stores" initiative, which aims to provide a framework for designing, building and operating sustainable stores around the world.

Joshua Tree Residence

Flourishing in the arid desert is the Joshua Tree Residence, located in California, United States, a house made only with recycled cargo containers, by Whitaker Studio, a famous English architecture studio, covering an area of 200 square meters. This house stands out for its curious architecture, sustainability and adaptation to the environment, since the containers are not seated directly on the ground, but are raised allowing the passage of water. In addition, it has solar panels to make it self-sufficient and large windows at the tip of each container to illuminate the house.

Les Grandes Tables

In Paris, France is Les Grandes Tables, a restaurant whose architecture is based on recycled containers, which were strategically placed to maximize the entry of light and air into the interior of the place, along with a wooden frame covered with glass with lights that illuminate the perimeter and the containers that support it at night. It was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, and has a capacity for more than 120 people for restaurant service and also a place for parties, weddings and meetings. 

Cité a Docks

Where once there were goods and sailors involved, now there are parties and student life. Cité a Docks is a university eco-city built only from recycled cargo containers located in Le Havre, France. The idea of this neighborhood was to provide housing for 100 students, for a more economical price, while embracing ecological and environmental criteria. Each student has 18 square meters in a four-story structure, a walkway connecting the buildings, a fully equipped space and some balconies overlooking the harbor. 

Common Ground

In South Korea, specifically in the Gwangjin district, is the world's first and largest shopping complex: Common Ground. Its architecture is made of 200 containers and has two buildings, the Street Market and the Market Hall, totaling 5300 square meters. The construction of this shopping center was an architectural challenge for Urbantainer, because after hearing the opinions that large structures made with containers are dangerous, prone to catch fire or built for people with few resources, they wanted to prove the opposite, giving birth to this large shopping complex that today has become one of the major tourist attractions of the city. 

Introducing the new way to experience international freight forwarding

KLog.co is the leading technology company for international freight forwarding in Latin America, which through its digital platform has managed to deliver complete visibility and control of the import and export process for companies of all sizes and industries.

Through its innovative software it is possible to merge all the steps of the supply chain, having full management capacity and visibility of the transportation of goods, even if you have movements with other freight forwarders. Due to these technological solutions you can have a fully customized control center, centralizing all shipments and optimizing the supply chain. 

Today, KLog.co supports customers with operations throughout the region, with hundreds of agents around the world. Currently, its offices are located in Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Mexico, and are constantly working to continue expanding.

Learn more at KLog.co

Sources:

https://blog.dracontainers.com/blog/construcciones-con-contenedor-maritimo