Architecture and Steel Shipping Containers: Good Versus Bad

Possibly you’ve heard about what some people are doing with old, abandoned shipping containers made from steel. If not, here it is: they are making shops, homes, rooms and artwork from them. As if steel wasn’t recyclable enough, which it is, now man has devised a clever plan to recycle these giants without even having to go through the process of melting them down. But are these architectural inspirations all they’re cracked up to be? Let’s take a look.

The Good News about Shipping Container Architecture

As just mentioned, the sheer fact that you’re recycling something of such gigantic stature is a massive plus – literally. But what else makes architecture made from steel shipping containers such an attractive prospect?

Currently, there is no shortage of used steel shipping containers throughout the world.

Whether by road, rail, or ship the transportation of these containers is common practice.
Want to go larger? No problem, you can easily add on another container as a second-story, side-by-side or end-to-end.
With Legos being such a big hit these days, these modular units are very similar in their use and assembly.
Whatever the weather – these babies stay together!
Durability is one of the main reasons that people feel entirely secure in a building made from a used steel shipping container.

Is There Really Any Bad News about Shipping Container Architecture?

This is of course all in how you look at it. Some of the costs that people of run into when going with this type of project should not been unexpected. They simply need to be figured into the plan:   1) the cost of moving such a large, heavy container  2)unless you are an avid do-it-yourselfer you may end up paying for wiring and plumbing   3)again, a do-it-yourselfer may not have to hire a carpenter but struts, plywood, drywall and supports will be part of a finished home

When it comes to the finished product, many of the materials that you will need to make your shipping container a true home can be picked up at junk yards, garage sales, liquidation and discount sales… You name it. No matter how you look at the cost, it comes up far short of building a conventional home from scratch.