This document discusses using shipping containers for architecture and building structures. It begins by introducing the concept of cargo architecture, which reuses steel shipping containers. Shipping containers are usually left unused after transporting goods, so reusing them helps the environment. The document then provides details on the history and types of shipping containers, their typical lifespan, advantages like modularity and cost effectiveness, and disadvantages like heat conduction and rusting. It also discusses common foundation types used to support container structures, like concrete piers. In conclusion, the document argues that shipping containers can be configured creatively to form functional architectural spaces quickly and economically, from small homes to larger commercial buildings.

1. CARGOTECTURE 1

Abstract— The importance of reusing and recycling of
materials is increasing in sustainable design and architecture.
There have been many attempts in reusing of many materials,
like steel containers that are used for creating interesting
architectural spaces. This paper is an attempt to study on
shipping containers and explore the ways of using these, which
are usually left unusedwhich increase in numberdaily. This type
of architecture aims to reuse these containers andcreating spaces
that can have human habitation not only in small scale but also in
large scale, and many temporary structures can be built within
limited time. This in turn leads to environment friendly
buildings.
Index Terms—container housing, containerarchitecture, cargo
architecture.
I. INTRODUCTION
HIPPING container architecture is a type of architecture
that is generally characterized by the re-use of steel
shipping as a structural element and architectural envelope
that can host a specific function or a human activity. It is
noticed that people use shipping containers for building their
houses taking in consideration of short time period and with
future possibilities of moving the structure and adding more
spaces.
The first shipping container was invented and patented in
1956 by an American named Malcolm Mc Lean, he was a
trucker. Later Philip Clark and Nicholas Lacey did the first
document citing the use of shipping containers as a building
material was published in 1962. In 1994 Stewart Brand
published a book how buildings learn on the ideas how to
convert shipping containers into offices spaces.
II. WHAT IS SHIPPING CONTAINER
A shipping container is a steel frame usually cuboid with
strength suitable to withstand shipment, storage, and handling.
Shipping containers range from large reusable steel boxes
used for intermodals shipment’s to the corrugated boxes.
There are various types of shipping containers varying from
refillable to standardized containers.
Though these containers were made in an intension of
reusing many are left unused, after transporting the containers
are left in the ports of the cities.
A. Types of shipping containers
There are different types of containers dry cargo container’s
which is the most commonly used container, refrigerated
containers and special containers. These containers have the
main load being transferred through the corners of the
containers.
.
B. Size
Containers are available in different sizes, the size of
containers depend on the type of shipping containers.
Description of dry cargo container
III. LIFE SPAN OF CONTAINERS
Based on the use intended on these containers, these are made
to fulfill at least a one decade lifespan target. They are made
Reusing Shipping Containers and Creating
Architectural spaces (March 2016)
K.A.Shahana, SEM VI student, KMEA College of Architecture
s

2. CARGOTECTURE 2
extremely resilient and secure to facilitate safe cargo transit
through long distances.Most containers in these days are
expected to have finished a one decade lifespan.
IV. ADVANTAGES OF CONTAINER
Shipping containers have many advantages which helps in
creating spaces. These containers have high strength and
durability. These are designed to carry heavy loads and to be
stacked in high columns.
Containers are modular , they have same width and most have
two standard height and length measurements and such they
provide modular elements that can be combined into larger
structures .This simplifies the design and transportation and
planning. As these are already designed to interlock for ease of
mobility during transportation, structural construction is
completed by simply emplacing them. Due to container’s
modular design additional construction is as easy as stacking
more containers.
The welding and cutting of steel is considered to be
specialized labor and can increase construction expenses, yet
overall it is still lower than conventional construction. These
prefabricated modules can also be easily transported by ship,
truck or rail, because they already conform to standard
shipping sizes. Containers are available across the globe.
Many used containers are available at an amount that is low
compared to a finished structure build by other labor intensive
means such as bricks and mortar which also require larger
more expansive foundations.
A 40ft shipping container weights over 3500kg. When up
cycling shipping containers, thousands of kilograms of steel
are saved. In addition building with containers, the amount of
traditional building materials needed is reduced.
V. DISADVANTAGES OF CONTAINER
The shipping container has a great disadvantage as it is
made of steel, which conducts heat very well; containers used
for human occupancy in an environment with extreme
temperature variations will normally have to be better
insulated than most brick, block or wood structures.
Although these shipping containers can be combined
together to create bigger spaces, creating spaces different to
their default size is expensive and time consuming. These
containers may rust unless the steel is well sealed and
insulated. The size and weight of the container’s will in most
cases require them to be placed by a crane , which will
increase the total expenses, as traditional materials like bricks
can be moved by using hands.
VI. FOUNDATION TYPES
The most commonly used type of foundation is concrete piers.
Concrete piers are a type of shallow foundation and are one of
the simplest and cheapest routes to go. They are concrete
cubes which have reinforced steel bars within them. A
reinforced steel bar is either a steel bar or a mesh of steel wires
and is used to strengthen the concrete. The main advantage of
this type of foundation is, because the containers are up off the
ground it allows for ventilation and prevents condensation
forming underneath the container. Other type of foundation
used is raft foundation, which is more time consuming and
more expansive than pier foundation but it is an exceptionally
good foundation to use on softer soil types. Advantages are
that it is quick and easy to build also no hollow spaces n the
foundation they are less vulnerable to termite infestation.
Disadvantage is lack of access to utility lines once concrete
has hardened and there is potential for heat losses where
ground temperatures drop below the interior temperature.
CONCLUSION
Although having a very systematic and regular shape,
shipping containers could be used to create not only functional
spaces, but also various configurations of architectural
programs or functions, that vary from a very simple residential
unit, to a small office building extending to a shopping mall,
that hosts bigger number of users. Many attempts have been
done globally to create interesting architectural spaces that can
be constructed in a relatively short interval of time, with a
reasonable cost.