30 Nov The Incredible Versatility of Shipping Container Buildings

The need for more sustainable construction methods is becoming increasingly urgent. Fortunately, shipping container buildings can offer a viable solution. These sturdy steel boxes were the brainchild of an American trucker who spotted the need for a faster way to load and unload marine cargo. His idea revolutionised the shipping industry. More than 65 years later, Malcolm McLean’s invention is disrupting another vital industry. The rectangular design of a shipping container is similar to that of a simple hut, consisting of four walls, a ceiling, and a floor. Rather than leaving them unused for years, innovative engineers are now modifying new or used shipping containers to create container homes, office containers, and other prefabricated buildings. Containers come in standard sizes, predominately 6 or 12 metres long, with uniform heights and widths, making them the perfect starting point for modular constructions. They can be joined in multiple configurations, like LEGO blocks, to provide endless possibilities. In addition to being a more sustainable option than a concrete structure, modular, prefabricated buildings are cheaper, often transportable, and far quicker to erect.   Some Innovative Shipping Container Buildings It seems the only limit to the versatility of the shipping container is one’s imagination. The following are just three of many...