Shipping Containers Turned into Residential Homes

Ever thought that shipping containers were only used to ship goods around the world? Think again, as shipping containers have been taking on a new lease of life and being recycled into homes.

All over the world, there are some stunning examples of where shipping containers have been ‘upcycled’ and turned into fabulous apartments as well as being used as offices, sheds, bars and even prison cells.

Europe alone has already being using containers for housing as well as pop-up ventures including hotels at festivals.

One of the main draws that attracts people to this type of living is that it is sustainable and affordable, and can often be cheaper than a home renovation as well as being a great idea for housing storage.

Vancouver, Canada is one such place that has embraced shipping container living through its social housing development for low-income senior women and single mothers who live within the area. 12 shipping containers have miraculously been transformed into studio units which are approximately 280 – 290 square feet in size and come equipped with everything required for everyday living including bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.

At three levels high the units benefit from floor to ceiling windows that overlooks the harbour or the courtyard garden within the complex. The exterior still shows the colours of the corrugated walls of the shipping containers as well as the use of stunning dark hardwood floors and white cabinets within the interior.

The whole complex took just eight months to complete, costing on average $82,500 per unit and meets all building codes as well as exceeding code requirements for insulation and sound transference. It was completed in July 2013 and is one of the first developments of its kind in the world. Its aim it is to inspire other countries and cities globally to use sustainable building materials to help low-income earners with more affordable housing options.

But it’s not just Vancouver utilising shipping containers for affordable social housing. All over the world and in Australia itself designers and developers are getting creative and using their imagination to think outside the box, creating spectacular concepts that create a talking point.

With so many containers clogging up ports around the world, it might not be long until we start seeing more of these metal coloured containers in our neighbourhood.