Sea freight containers are strong, durable structures for use in difficult conditions environment. They are waterproof and windproof, have a neat appearance, convenient for transportation. By upgrading, you can obtain convenient, functional containers for a specific application.

What kind of business houses can be built from shipping containers?

Positive characteristics of containers (significant margin of safety, standard sizes and fastenings) are supplemented with:

• insulation;
• engineering communications (electricity, water and heat supply);
• connections to a centralized drainage system or autonomous sewage system;
• installation of anti-vandal elements;
• fire and security alarms.

There are many types of business objects made from converted containers. Let's name the most common options.

• Workshops. Typically, such buildings are used for repairing small equipment. They can serve as personal garages and workshops, or act as commercial facilities for customer service. In the latter case, most often a modular building is built from several containers.

• Rental points for transport and other equipment for active recreation: bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skis, skates.

• Fast food points. Corresponding internal equipment, connection to engineering communications, painting the walls in the company’s colors and applying a logo turns a nondescript metal block into a full-fledged branded fast food object.

• Retail outlet. The interior decoration of the module can correspond to both an ordinary kiosk and a designer boutique. Walls are often replaced with glazing, and lighting is used for shop windows.

Container construction as a business

Today the housing problem is solved not only with the help capital construction, but also by constructing modular buildings from cargo containers. Therefore, the number of companies offering design and turnkey delivery of such facilities is constantly growing.

What options for modular residential buildings are most popular?

• One-story buildings. Often two containers are matched with long sides in which arches are made or installed interior doors. Usually, living quarters are arranged in one module, and utility rooms in the other.
• The blocks can be installed at an angle or separately with a covered terrace between them.
• Two- and even three-story houses in which the modules communicate with each other via internal staircases.

For insulation of cargo containers converted into housing, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, stone wool. As floor coverings use linoleum, laminated panels, ceramic tiles, for walls - plasterboard covered with wallpaper, wooden or plastic lining.

People live in a variety of homes that best suit their needs. Some people buy large structures made from concrete, become And glass to strengthen their social positions, while others choose something else. Either way, it's whatever suits their needs. Not everyone has the opportunity to build own house, but we have a crazy idea for you - live in a container. Yes, you heard me. Old shipping containers can now be used as a home itself. Don't believe me? Then take a look at our selection of projects.

What containers should you use to build your home?

Homes from sea ​​containers most interesting to those who want to build a large and spacious house. It’s just that sea containers are the largest and most common. Below is a table of sea container sizes 40ft And 20ft:

Cost of a container house:

As we have already said, the price of a container home is perhaps the biggest argument in favor of choosing containers as a building material. Below are the INTERNAL dimensions and cost of one of the types of sea containers:

Container 40 feet high (40′ HC):

• Length = 12.05 m.,
• Width = 2.34 m.,
• Height = 2.68 m.

The average cost of a sea container is 2000 $ .

Therefore, by simply placing 3 such containers side by side and planning a house out of them, you get a house with internal dimensions 12 meters on 7.1 meters, which in area is 85.2 m2. In this case, the price of 3 containers will be approximately 6000 $ .

Take a look at 25 shipping container home designs:

Eco-house in China

More and more more people take care of environment. Architects and designers have come up with numerous original ideas houses made from environmentally friendly materials. One such example is this house. It is made from shipping containers and is a very nice functional single family home.

Located in China, this house has modern design and it is impressive in its simplicity of execution. The eco-friendly home is made from reclaimed shipping containers, bamboo cladding and a grassy roof.

In addition, it has solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, all these features have been included in a simple and chic scandinavian design. The house area is approximately 2000 square feet. It has three bedrooms, a nursery, an office and a huge living room.

Bright guest house

One of the most interesting projects that I've seen all the time. The guest house is made from a previously used shipping container. The container was painted blue and some of the walls were removed to accommodate big windows. A bold combination of colors and materials makes this an ideal place to relax.

Large structure made of colored containers

An impressive project from a Brazilian architect - MarcioKogan.

Architectural solution from Partouche

Now take a look at a more complex project from Partouche. The area of ​​this modern house is 680 square meters, the cost is 220,000 euros. What I love most are the container doors that act as shutters, creating a moment of privacy.

Elegant house made from two shipping containers

Who said a container home has to look like a boring box? This project shows that it can be quite elegant.

Floating holiday homes

Would you like to spend your holidays in a house like this? I wish I could!

Modern minimalism

This unique house, made from four shipping containers, looks like a full-fledged home.

Lake house

Made from 4 shipping containers, it has 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms. A perfect nest by the lake.

Transportable structure from a sea container

The main advantage of sea containers is its transportability. You can create a cozy space in a container and transport it anywhere.

Cozy home in Millbrook

Fascinating buildings from Thomas Phifer.

Functional coffee shop

This is how a portable coffee shop can be created from a sea container and transported to anywhere in the city.

Trading platform made from shipping containers

The world's first store Hayes Valley, which was built only from shipping containers.

Another retail space option

The first retail space made from shipping containers opened in London. Commercial premises come in different shapes and types to attract more buyers. Boxpark Shoreditch- first in London shopping mall from sea containers.

Miniature houses

Company Add a Room specializes in creating unique miniature houses, which are made to order from shipping containers.

Modular houses

Company Honomobo based in the Canadian province Alberta, builds modern houses, offices, studios, apartment complexes and more from modular shipping containers. And they do it well.

Another option for a compact house

Everything in one container. Bedroom, bath, full kitchen, hardwood floors, furniture and more.

Building houses from shipping containers is quite popular among people from many countries, but there are also other areas in which metal structures can replace conventional ones. The huge advantage of metal containers is their tightness, compactness and ability to be transported. The structures are easily transported both by road and rail. Structures made from containers can combine all the necessary functionality and at the same time take up little space.

What containers can be used in construction

The most popular types of structures used in construction are closed cargo containers. Forty-foot tanks are most often used, but sometimes twenty-foot tanks can be converted. Walls on all sides allow you to make many holes and openings in the metal structure in the required places, and also not have to worry about the roof and floors. The containers can be simply installed on the site or dug into the ground with preliminary treatment of the walls. The structures do not require pouring a foundation and can even be installed on compacted soil.

Where can containers be used?

There are many buildings that are small in size and can be replaced with metal structures. The containers can be equipped with special devices and serve as a mobile laboratory or become small a cozy house for builders. Containers are often used as garages, as they provide good protection from moisture and do not require permission for installation. Another popular option for retrofitting structures is converting them into a power plant. All important connections are contained within a sealed container that can be easily transported from place to place.

House

Often in warm areas of the country houses are built from metal structures. Residential buildings can withstand temperatures dropping to -20-25 degrees. The advantage of container houses is their affordability. The three containers have an area of ​​about 85 square meters. m., and their cost is usually no more than $6,000. Since the containers already have a roof, there is no need for additional roofing. Also, the homeowner does not need to worry about pouring the foundation and floor. In residential premises, you just need to carry out communications and make cosmetic repairs.

Country house

Since a person spends less time at the dacha than at home, a small space for living is enough for him. Housing should include all the necessary premises, but at the same time be compact. Container structures allow you to create several zones, including:

• hallway,
• kitchen,
• bedroom,
• bathroom,
• living room.

With high-quality insulation, you can spend the night in the house all year round. If necessary, the structure can be quickly transported from site to site.

Office

Office premises do not require much space and can be located on a sufficient small area. The converted container must have a well-thought-out ventilation system, as well as the necessary communications. The layout may include just one long room, provided that there is a sanitary room in the immediate vicinity of such an office. There are options for multi-storey office buildings made of metal structures. In such buildings, a staircase, a rest room and auxiliary premises should be thought out.

Stock

Many manufacturers have appreciated the advantages of shipping containers. Their tightness and strength allow you to create multi-tiered and safe warehouses. Special locking systems prevent unauthorized people from entering the boxes. The structures are easy to maintain temperature regime and humidity level. Unlike standard warehouses, container structures are not tied to the territory and can be quickly transported to another location. Another undeniable advantage is the relevance of the solution. Containers individually are much easier to sell than a large warehouse with additional equipment.

Workshop

The container can easily serve as a workshop for various purposes. Often structures are used as workshops for:

• shoemakers,
• auto repairmen,
• weavers,
• metalworkers,
• carpenters and many other specialists.

Constructed workshops from containers can be moved, if necessary, to another location without interrupting production. All equipment is attached to the walls and floor, which allows you to be confident in the reliability and safety of the fastenings. Depending on the purpose of the workshop, additional space may be required, which can also be converted from containers.

Sauna

Many people want to have a bathhouse on their property, but there is no way to build one due to the high price of materials. Since containers cost about $2,000, this is an affordable solution to make your wish come true. Proper finishing will ensure the fire safety of the building and help retain heat for a long time. To organize saunas, forty-foot structures are most often used, which allows you to place in them not only a steam room, but also relaxation rooms, bathrooms, a swimming pool and much more.

Laboratory

A mobile laboratory in a box allows you to quickly move the structure to different parts of the city, region or country. It often happens that it is necessary to regularly take certain samples at a specified location, but the construction of a stationary laboratory is not provided for there. In such cases, the optimal solution to the current situation would be to use sea containers. It is easy to maintain sterility in the converted structure, and the communications provided will facilitate the process of examining the samples taken. Mobile laboratories are often used during the construction of various facilities to control the quality of building materials.

Toilet

Shipping containers can be easily converted into sanitary rooms. Mobile toilets are used not only during public events, but also during construction or landscaping of areas where a stationary bathroom is not provided. The idea of ​​using small cubicles is far from new, but unlike dry closets, converted cubicles can also accommodate a portable shower. Such additional option will become very convenient for people who want to freshen up or tidy up.

Bar

Container bars are gaining popularity in many European cities. Small size Boxing prevents large numbers of people from gathering in one place. The low cost of offshore structures allows you to create a business from scratch without having a large amount of money available. Also, bars will be very popular among lovers of a special atmosphere. Inside the box you can create an authentic design that will attract people and help you gain regular customers. If necessary, the establishment can be easily moved to another location without loss of functionality.

Gym

Gyms are in great demand among people. Difficult to find in some places suitable premises and the best solution may be a sea container. Boxes do not take up much space, but allow you to equip a gym in yourself. Converted premises with a well-thought-out ventilation and lighting system are no different from stationary gyms. Additionally, the room can be equipped with a shower and a video surveillance system. With proper thermal insulation in a gym made of metal structures, it will be very comfortable to perform physical exercises both in winter and summer.

Cafe

Small cafes with takeaway food can be conveniently located in a shipping container. The converted room can accommodate all the necessary technological premises, and also have tables or benches for visitors. Most often, boxes are used to create shawarma, but sushi bars and cafes with Japanese cuisine. The combination of several modules will allow you to create a spacious cafe or an authentic restaurant with a unique atmosphere that people will want to return to more than once. Also, cafes in boxes can become great solution when spending holidays outdoors or in places where there is no desired food source.

Trade points

Containers are perfect for street trading or creating a small shop. Quite often on the streets there are bread shops made from twenty-foot containers. also in Lately Pavilions with meat and sausage, dairy or fruit and vegetable products are gaining popularity. Mobile points allow you to move the store to the place where the goods will be in greatest demand. Anti-vandal materials of the module allow you not to worry about the safety of the contents, and bright design very attractive to visitors.

checkpoint

A checkpoint is a place through which people pass every day. a large number of of people. Since people are in it most time, it is important to provide employees comfortable conditions labor. At good insulation And proper organization The space in the boxes is very pleasant even in winter. Checkpoints or security posts are often installed during construction or work on the ground, upon completion of which the module is no longer needed and it is transported to another location or converted for other purposes.

Bicycle and seasonal goods rental point

Since installing a cargo container requires a minimum of documents, they can often be found in parks, squares, near embankments or in the mountains. The anti-vandal system protects the contents of the container and allows owners not to worry about the product. IN different time year, the module can be moved to the most optimal location, and the product in it can be replaced with another. In large cities, rental of skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades, scooters and other outdoor products is becoming increasingly popular, making it easy for entrepreneurs to create a business without large investments.

Garage

Metal modules have optimal size to accommodate one or two small cars. Garages can be installed both on the site and behind it, without fear of your car being stolen thanks to a good locking system. The cost of a container is much lower than constructing a garage made of brick or cinder block. A huge advantage of shipping containers used as a garage is that there is no need to pour a foundation. The machine will be reliably protected from moisture, and if necessary, the room can be heated to the desired temperature.

If you've ever used a shipping container, you know that it is a very versatile item. They are often used not only for transporting goods, but also for temporary residence of workers! The main thing is to insulate it well and equip it.

Another convenient option– convert it into a garage or workshop. It has a lot of free space inside for movement and storage. Supplies, and on the outside there is an excellent protective layer that protects your equipment from rain, snow, scorching sun and any other weather conditions.

Advantages of creating a workshop from a shipping container

Much more profitable than renting premises or buying a ready-made one. In addition, the rented premises may be located on the other side of the city or even in the suburbs, and you can always place your own in any place convenient for you.

Rebuilding the packaging is also worth choosing for reasons of saving resources: building a workshop from scratch involves additional investment in Construction Materials, a waste of time and energy.

Construction of a workshop from a sea container is also safer - all work can be completed by a common person able to hold instruments in his hands. You don't need to call a team of workers for some complex parts.

What you need to create a workshop from a shipping container

The set of required resources is quite small:

Container, its choice depends on the expected size of the final room. The most commonly used structures are 40ft long, but you can choose a 20ft shipping container if you need a little space. For larger workshops, you can use two 40ft containers and connect them by removing the side wall of each. You can buy it either new or used - the main thing is to check its condition.

Foundation – pile or strip. The choice is yours, but for a workshop or garage it is better to choose a pile one: it will withstand any load, has greater strength and stability.

Insulation. Inexpensive, but very good option there will be foam.

Tools for work.

Procedure for making a workshop from a sea container

First of all, we work with piles; for them, it is advisable to have a vibrating driver or a special hammer in order to quickly and “painlessly” drive the piles into the ground. We install the piles at a depth of about 2 meters and carefully cut them at the same level. This must be done with great precision: if the center of gravity moves slightly, the floor of the container may collapse.

When the floor is ready, we move on to the sea container itself. If you have two of them, remove the side wall from each. Now you need to measure the windows and doors and cut them out of the structure.

After you have made all the necessary technological holes, place them on the piles, weld them to them and to each other. The workshop frame is ready!

It is not yet possible to use the workshop in this form; it needs to be insulated and a floor made. If you want to use the room as a garage, you can cut a hole - in this case you need to take special care to insulate the container, since the earth will draw out heat.

You can cover the floor with a cement bonded particleboard to prevent future fires. Chipboard is also suitable for the floor, but DSP is much stronger.

Insulation of a sea container

In general, the finished container has already been initially treated against corrosion, but before insulation, this can be done again. We prime the surface, lay insulation and cover it with external material: for this you can use ordinary clapboards, corrugated sheets or siding.

For roofing the best choice– professional sheet. Usually they recommend 44mm corrugated sheet, but 22mm is also suitable. The roof can be made sloping so that snow and rainwater flowed down on their own.

The final work involves little things: installing windows, installing light and electricity. If necessary - heating, plumbing and even sewerage!

In European countries, structures made from sea containers are a very common phenomenon. They build dachas from them, country houses and even small hotels. This is quite convenient: the premises are protected from external influences, stable, and can withstand a lot of weight. There is a lot of free space inside, which can be equipped for any needs, and the cost of all materials and work is much lower than when constructing a full-fledged building.

29.01.2016

Shipping containers, originally used for transporting goods due to their versatility, have over the years found wider, and sometimes unexpected, uses for their properties. Due to the very significant margin of safety that is included in the design, as well as standardized dimensions and fastenings, today transport containers are successfully converted into various structures.

We have compiled a list of the most useful and functional ideas. So, what can you make from a shipping container?

1. Change house

Temporary living quarters, or, in short, are very often converted from sea containers. Such a structure can be effectively used both in warm climates and in cold northern latitudes - depending on climate zone materials and technologies are selected that provide a comfortable indoor microclimate at an external temperature from plus 40 to minus 50 ̊C. The cabins are compact and can be transported many times, just like regular dry cargo containers. At the same time, it can always be retrofitted or re-equipped.

Such options are ideal for construction crews and agricultural work - in short, in those areas where work and place of residence depend on the season or the current project.

2. Workshop

Workshops based on sea containers are mainly equipped for the repair of scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and similar small equipment. Depending on the scale of the activity, the module can consist of one container, representing a kind of garage-workshop for personal needs (where, by the way, a car can easily fit), or several, being a full-fledged workshop servicing clients’ vehicles.

3. Laboratory

Very practical option is a mobile or stationary laboratory. An undoubted advantage of the mobile module is the ability to conduct research directly on site and, if necessary, quickly move the laboratory to another site. This type of converted sea containers is widely used in the construction industry (for example, for quality control of concrete, cement mortar and other components), oil and gas and petrochemical industries, where objects are geographically remote from each other.

4. Warehouse

Warehouses converted from dry cargo containers are popular with both product manufacturers and retail outlets. They are sealed and it is possible to maintain a certain temperature regime in them, required according to the storage conditions of the product. In addition, such a warehouse is very difficult to break into or cause damage in any other way, and in the event of a decrease in trade turnover or going out of business, it is much easier to sell than a regular warehouse tied to a specific location.

5. Mini-production

This option allows you to significantly reduce capital costs for the construction or purchase of premises, which is especially important for starting a business. At the same time, modern technologies and materials make it possible to make a container that fully meets all the requirements of a specific production. When expanding the activity or changing its specifics, the modules can be retrofitted with the necessary equipment or an additional workplace. This option, paradoxically, is used with equal success by beginning entrepreneurial businessmen and fairly large companies that carefully consider their benefits.

6. Retail outlet

A practical anti-vandal kiosk or a conceptual showroom can also be converted from a sea container. Sometimes the appearance of a simple module can be transformed beyond recognition, and interior decoration match the ambiance of a designer boutique. In this case, fragments of the block walls are often replaced with glazing, and the display cases located in them are effectively illuminated. This format of retail outlets is still not very popular among entrepreneurs, but it is impossible to deny that its novelty attracts visitors, making the kiosk stand out among others.

7. Rental point for bicycles and goods for active recreation

Dry cargo containers are ideal for organizing rentals. Moreover, enterprising owners very successfully offer for rent bicycles, scooters, skateboards, children's cars and special seats for bicycles in the summer, and skates, skis, buns and sleds in the winter. Such modules are usually located near a park, public garden, embankment or on the territory of recreation centers, where they are very popular among citizens and guests of the city.

8. Gym

Sports enthusiasts and businessmen often use shipping containers to organize a gym. High-quality thermal insulation and a ventilation system allow you to train comfortably at any time of the year and not have to worry about the exercise equipment located in the block - a high-quality converted module will not leak and will serve reliable protection from hacking attempts. In addition, the gym can be additionally equipped with security systems and security and fire alarm system, this is especially true for commercial premises.

9. Fish farm

Conversion of a dry cargo container into a fish farm involves the installation of special technical equipment (so-called fish tanks, pumps, a pipe system and a number of devices for creating and maintaining the necessary water parameters), thermal insulation of the foundation and the installation of communications. In such conditions, sturgeon, trout and some other species of fish are successfully grown. They expand production either by installing additional fish tanks, if the design allows, or by purchasing another converted module.

10. Mobile sales office

Based on sea containers, they are in demand in the field of microfinance of the population, provision of tourism and other services. At the same time, they can be designed in such a way as not to require connection to external water supply and sewerage, which sometimes becomes an important deciding factor. High-quality thermal insulation, in turn, allows employees to feel comfortable in hot and cold weather, and the variability of the design helps to carry out timely re-equipment or retrofitting depending on changes in staffing levels. Thus, the mobile sales office grows and changes along with the business.

11. Duty post

Dry cargo containers are also quite often converted. In this case, one or more combined blocks are equipped with a door and required quantity windows, and can be zoned into working and living areas. If this is a moving duty post, then a necessary equipment to control the crossing, the same happens at security posts with automatic gates or a barrier. If necessary, emergency lighting and alarm systems are additionally installed.

12. Office

The trend to retrofit is now gaining momentum around the world. Such offices, which initially emerged as a more cost-effective alternative to classic stationary premises, last years have become the object of interest of famous architectural bureaus and companies wishing to keep up with the times and remain mobile. There are a huge number of options - from small single-component premises to buildings of bizarre shapes, made entirely of block containers. Internal and external finishing such premises can have absolutely anything, which attracts creative architectural companies to the creation of new projects in this market.

13. Dining room

A long service life and an unlimited number of installation/dismantling and transportation make dry cargo containers ideal for mobile canteens, which are in demand at construction sites and agricultural work, where it is necessary to provide food for people. Depending on the required throughput, it can consist of one or two or several dozen blocks at once. In accordance with standards and certificates, the canteen includes a food preparation area, storage facilities, a hygiene room and a hall for visitors. This structure is erected very quickly and is immediately ready for use.

14. Substation, generator

In this case, the converted container plays a protective role in relation to the expensive equipment that is installed in it. The module protects against precipitation, dirt, dust, aggressive UV radiation, as well as against break-ins, impacts and other mechanical influences. At the same time, in addition to protection, the equipment also gains mobility, since the converted unit still retains the ability to be transported by all types of transport.

15. Hygiene room

Sea containers effectively solve such a very delicate issue as organizing a hygiene room. Moreover, depending on the needs in each specific case, it may include not only toilets and sinks, but also showers with changing rooms. Important feature such structures have an internal coating that is resistant to high level humidity - depending on the budget, this could be MDF panels or, for example, ceramic tiles.

16. Bar

The low cost of dry cargo modules allows you to redirect freed funds to development and implementation unique design, which is essential for bars where people come for a special atmosphere. Such structures are very popular in America and have every chance of finding their fans in Russia, in the coming years they will be embodied in bold creative solutions, which, first of all, will take place in large cities with a population of over a million.

17. Cafe

Massive dry cargo container at the request of the customer and under with skillful hands professionals can turn into a stylish and attractive cafe, in which after such transformations it will be impossible to discern a simple transport module. Depending on the project idea, it can be a classic indoor cafe or a mobile summer cafe with folding walls, which can also be successfully used for large outdoor events and luxurious outdoor weddings.

18. Sauna

An unusual use for a converted container at first glance is a sauna or bathhouse. However, this option can nevertheless be increasingly found in private plot of land or near a guest cottage for rent, since the presence of a sauna for many vacationers is an important criterion for choosing a place to relax. In arranging a bathhouse, thermal insulation is very important, only in this case its task is not to let the heat out of the steam room. External and internal decoration, as a rule, is decorated with wood, imitating a log house, characteristic of log buildings.

19. Creative studio

Creative workshop made from block containers on this moment is an original and unconventional architectural move. This option is usually chosen by young creative agencies and creative associations who want to demonstrate to clients their willingness to experiment and change. The modules are arranged in several rows or floors, create spectacular transitions and divide the internal space into zones of different stylistic design. Such a creative studio serves as a living business card that speaks more than a dozen videos and hundreds of flyers.

20. Hotel

The holding of various concerts, festivals, and sports competitions led to the emergence of another interesting looking structures based on sea block containers - a mobile hotel. Instead of building permanent hotels, the rooms of which will be half empty after the end of the event, practical Europeans are actively using the services of such “hotels on wheels”, which help accommodate participants, staff and guests of the event. Owners of mobile hotels promise that their facilities will be ready for use in just 48 hours from the moment the vehicle arrives, which certainly impresses with its speed and reasonable costs.

Practice shows that dry cargo containers still have enormous potential, which will be realized for decades. Today on different stages A wide variety of projects are being implemented around the world: spas, bridges, hostels, forest houses, beach cafes, etc. And maybe soon we will talk about new ideas for structures made from transport containers, which just recently simply transported goods, but have now become an integral part of the vibrant architecture of world capitals, practical choice small towns and a boon for enterprising people.

Find out even more about the conversion of sea containers on our services page.

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