Containers are becoming a more common office for more and more workers. But we mostly think about those offices on jobsite or other places where the offices are mobile. Here are 2 examples of some more unusual offices:
World Rally containers have many uses
1) Mobile rally car shop and mobile team headquarters. The teams for the World Rally Championship use shipping containers as their shops, as well as other items they need for their hospitality teams when they get to their location. They transport their marketing materials so they can create their own unique space at the rallies.
Each team has their own area which can move with them throughout the season.
Character Project container theater
2) Theaters. We have not one, but two examples of using containers as theaters.
USA’s Character Project has traveling storage containers that are modified to be a full movie theaters that are customized to fit the films they are showing. They are screening 8 original short films in various cities throughout the country.
Cardiff is getting its own 40’ storage container theater for the play The Container. It is a play that explores the journey of Somali and Afganistani refugees coming to the UK for asylum. The container-theater is one component in bringing the story home to theatergoers.
3) Radio station studio. Radio Free Libya in Masrata has outfitted a container as a studio for guests who cannot come to the radio station’s offices for security reasons.
Containers are a great option for any mobile space. They can be modified easily, moved easily and are flexible enough to turn into whatever you can imagine.
Taking a cargo container and turning it into something else – living quarters, emergency relief shelters/centers, storm shelters, etc, is a very popular idea. You can picture what you want it to look like in the end, but how do you get started on your project?
Inside a refrigerator/insulated container
1) Standard or Insulated/refrigerated? Containers come in either standard steel box or insulated/refrigerated box. In order to pick the best one for you, think about what you are going to do with it. If you are going to modify it (add doors, windows, or any other cut outs), then steer clear of the refrigerated/insulated containers. They are difficult to modify due to the loose insulation in between the container walls. Standard steel containers can easily be framed and insulated to provide the necessary insulation once your other modifications are done.
Cargo-worthy containers can handle being stacked
2) Shipping overseas or not? If you are shipping the container overseas, then you will want to plan your modifications accordingly. Containers that are being shipped on cargo ships must be cargo-worthy or sea-worthy, meaning they are structurally sound enough to handle having other container stacked on top of them. If you cut up a container, you reduce the structural integrity of the container, so you want to make sure you are keeping that in mind with your plans, or plan on modifying the container once it arrives at its destination.
Open-top 40' container has a tarp roof
3) Is there a container already designed for your need? There are specialty containers – containers without a top or with removable steel top, 20’ containers with doors that open the full 20’ side of the container or flat-racks, containers that have no long walls or roofs. While these containers are generally more expensive than standard containers, you may find that they fit your need so well; it is worth the extra money. However, be warned that some of these containers are not all that plentiful, so you may also end up paying for shipping long distances.
20' open side container opens on one full 20' side of container
4) How complicated is your design? If you are planning on creating a home or living quarters complete with electric and plumbing, stacked containers or other complications, be sure to get an architect or engineer involved. Even though containers make great building blocks, you are still creating a living space that needs to be safe and up to code. They may up with structural issues you have not considered which can save you headaches down the line.
5) Are you doing to modify the container yourself or have it done? Containers are easy to modify yourself if you have the right tools. Primarily, it requires a cutter and welding tools and the know-how to go with them. Kits are available for adding on basic additions like doors, windows, AC/heat, skylights, etc.
40' office and storage
If you don’t want the hassle of doing the work, have it done for you by a qualified container shop. Then your container can arrive ready to go (or at least part-way there) depending on what your plans entail.
Containers are incredibly flexible building blocks. Let your imagination loose to come up with fun ideas. Share them with us! Or share pictures of projects you have already done to inspire others!
Containers provide a secure, easy way to install a temporary building just about anywhere. They are easy to modify to personalize to your needs. Some uses include:
Any time you need a roof over your head – quickly.
Container buildings can be as fancy or as basic as you want. Currently they are a popular, green building material in the architectural world. But they can also be as basic is throwing a door and window on a container and calling it the office.
A couple of things to think about while you plan
Large shop made with containers stacked 2-high to accomodate trucks and containers
1) Do you need an architect or engineer? If this is housing and you are removing large portions of the container or you are stacking modified containers, then YES. Don’t risk it, make sure your plan will work once you pull that wall off the container and avoid disaster. If you are living in the container, you will still need electricity, plumbing and all the other features you expect from a tradition building. That takes some know-how.
2) To insulate or buy insulated? As a general rule of thumb, only get an insulated container if you are using it to keep something at a steady temperature. If you are modifying it, get a non-insulated container. Insulated containers are expensive and very hard to modify. Save your wallet and a headache by modifying a standard container and insulating once that is done. Don’t forget to insulate the flooring and roof!
Inside the shop
3) Modify yourself or have someone else do it? If you can weld, doing some easy modifications yourself is a great way to save money. Use container modification kits to add doors, windows, skylights, AC/Heat or other basic additions. If you have more complicated modifications – taking out container walls and adding in extra support, adding in industrial flooring, etc – bring in the pros. These are headaches or possible structural problems you don’t want to handle on your own. Have a container shop take care of doing that for you.
You are only limited by your imagination – and the laws of physics – in coming up with the container building of your dreams.
The most common request I get with containers is to modify them – add doors, windows, partitions, etc; followed closely by people who want to turn them into storm shelters or root cellars by burying them. Now, I have covered these issues in the past, but it never hurts to revisit the basics.
Modified container
Modifications. Containers are great building blocks. You can use them as is, or you can simply cut a few holes and add a few modifications and you can drastically change the purpose of a container. Extra doors and windows are the most common modifications, but some people get very fancy and will build homes out of them.
AC Heat Kit with cage
We can help you with your modifications in two ways: 1) have your container provider modify them for you; or 2) purchase a kit so you can modify it yourself. Modification costs and options will vary depending where in the country you are located. In some locations you can get electric work installed, in others that has to be done after the purchase. Kits are another great for adding doors, windows, AC/heat, skylights, partitions, etc. Specialty kits are available as well if you already have a feature you want added on, but just need a frame to install it.
Container Office
Storm shelters/root cellars. This is a very common use for containers. People either bury them completely in the ground or put them into a hill. There are pros and cons to either option. Not the least of which is if you have a hill handy! Some things to keep in mind when creating your storm shelter/root cellar is 1) to protect the container from the elements, 2) to protect the container structurally,3) to follow local zoning.
Protect your container from the elements. This can be adding a protective moisture barrier and providing proper drainage so your container isn’t sitting in an underground puddle. Also, protect your container structurally. They are designed to bear enormous weight on the four corners of the container, not directly into the wall and roof of the container. Please keep in mind local zoning rules may also dictate how you install your storm shelter/root celler.
For a video of how one person solved these issues, watch this video:
For more detailed information on both of these topics, also see our previous posts:
You have a great idea. You are going to transform a cargo container into your workshop, cabin or home. You can visualize what it will look like. But before you start cutting up a container, here is some information on how containers are made to make sure you are making the most out of your container.
Exploded view of container
Basic Frame
Design - Containers are designed to filled, then stacked on ships, then removed. Containers hold all their weight in the floor of the container and the four corner posts. Those corner posts are what the cranes connect to when moving full containers around. These corner posts are slightly higher than the roof and slightly lower than the floor of the container.
What this means for you – When you stack containers, make sure that you always have corner posts resting on corner posts. If you can’t do this, make sure those corner posts have extra support. Also, do not remove these corner posts unless you have designed to support the container in another way.
Corrugated walls and roof
Walls and Roofs
Design – Containers are made of corrugated steel. The walls and roofs are made of the same material. The walls support the roof of the container.
What this means for you – You can cut holes for doors and windows in the side of containers. But just make sure you don’t remove the whole side of a container without providing support for the roof. Also, the roof is not strong enough to handle heavy loads. If you are planning on burying the container or making a balcony on top of a container, make sure you create a platform that distributes the weight back to the four corner posts.
Container doors
Doors
Design – Container doors are attached to corner posts.
What this means to you – They work well they way they are designed. If you want a different type of entry, add extra doors on the other 3 sides of the container.
Insulation
Design – Standard containers are made of corten steel and are not insulated. Refrigerator containers are steel containers with insulation and an interior wall added onto the container. The insulation used is loose between the walls. Also, refrigerated/insulated containers are generally sold with cooling units still included.
Inside refrigerated container
What this means to you – If you are looking for a container that is insulated, the first big question to ask yourself is if you are going to modify the container further. If you are, the standard containers will be much easier to work with. Once you cut into an insulated container, you will have a mess on your hands and the insulation will be reduced. Instead, go with a standard container, make your modifications to suit your needs and then frame the container like you would a traditional home. You will lose the same amount of container width as you would with a refrigerated container, but will skip a large headache.
For more questions on do-it-yourself modifications, please call us!
You’ve got the plan in your head – get a container, add doors, windows, or other simple improvements, and then you have your container office, shop or cabin. You’re handy, know your way around a do-it-yourself project, but where to start?
Inside modified container part 1
No need to reinvent the wheel—container modification kits will come with everything you need to install a door, window, partition, AC, insulation or even a sky light. See the pictures below for ideas. You provide only the cutting and welding skills.
1) You configure the kits that suit your plans. The basics include a lockbox, man-door (steel, 3 feet wide), a roll-up door (6’, 7’ or 8’ wide), windows, insulation, AC with a cage, etc. Order them from your friendly container store (Super Cubes has all the kits and free DIY support).
Inside modified container part 2
2) When the kit arrives, it will include the parts you ordered along with installation frames (not needed for insulation or partitions).
AC in kit
3) Cut a hole in the container to the size noted in the instructions. (Tip: Borrow or rent a plasma cutter, which whirs though steel using only air and electricity.)
Instant shelving organizes a container quickly
4) Weld in the frame, which fits neatly to the container’s corrugated steel.
Cage for AC
5) Install the door, window, skylight, or whatever.
Kits take all the guesswork out of framing a wind- and water-tight add-on into your container. Container kits also solve problems you might not have considered.
Roll-up door with lockbox
For example, the AC kit comes with a frame, air conditioner, and a cage to weld over the AC so that no one could pull it out and potentially gain access to your container.
Roof between containers
With kits providing everything you need, you can have exactly the container office, shop, or cabin you imagine—foolproof and frustration free.
Living inside the box is a hot trend for a good reason: Steel shipping and storage containers make smart, tight huts, cabins, offices, and homes. Container living is eco-friendly, offers lots of flexibility, and can save a bundle if you keep it simple. And the options for cool container houses are almost infinite.
Huts
A hut is your basic shack in the woods (or your backyard) for keeping dry and sacking out on a cot. It won’t be pretty, but it will do the job. Just paint it with SuperTherm, an insulating ceramic paint, add a door, and a window or two. You can go unplugged or rig basic electrical (anything from an extension cord if you are on the grid to a small generator if you are more remotely located).
Cabins
Here’s where your container becomes a livable dwelling. Besides the hut-like basics, a container cabin will have more creature comforts—larger windows, maybe better electricity, and more insulation and an HVAC system for extra comfort (steel containers do conduct heat and cold). It’s a do-it-yourself project to put up rigid-foam insulation and paneling as well as partitions for rooms. As with any cabin, you can put in plumbing. Beyond that, it’s all about adding amenities (from awnings to skylights and decks) to give your hunting/lake/ski cabin good looks and charm.
Offices
A container-based office, work shed, or studio can be a modified cabin, designed around the work you do. But often container offices mean mobile work space. Construction trailers, sales offices, security offices, portable classrooms, temporary medical clinics, or event offices are just a few of the many possibilities. These can be delivered already customized to suit your needs, making these the most hassle-free container conversion projects.
Homes
Container housing has caught on for many reasons. Containers make strong, secure, indestructible building blocks for full-featured houses. Container homes are a green and efficient housing choice, and they lend themselves to very cool living spaces.
Container housing can be quicker than traditional building. But keep in mind that turning a container into a full-featured home is still about building a house, with many of the same costs. If you’re looking for a full-featured home that will look great and blend in with your neighbors’, you’ll need both an architect and engineer. You’ll need proper footings and foundation, as well as full plumbing and electrical, flooring, HVAC, and all the rest. Building a container home is going to cost at least as much as a traditional home, so this is generally not a decision based on money, but rather other factors.
You’ll also need to contend with layout and design issues that may quickly get structural, especially if you’re combining two or more containers. Containers aren’t designed to be chopped apart. You may need to add support beams to maintain structural integrity (and sometimes jams, headers, and sill posts as well).
The good news is at the end of the day, you’ll have a truly unusual dream home that’s as strong, secure, and eco-friendly as any house around. It will be impervious to fire and if properly anchored, able to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes. Nothing against ordinary houses, but its hard to say any of that about the rambler down the street.
