CONTAINER METAMORPHOSED A proposal to recycle abandoned shipping containers into single family homes.

1101 S. WINCHESTER BLVD, SUITE G173

The United States economy has experienced a trade deficit for over 30 years. In 2003 SAN JOSE, CA 95128
this deficit reached a record high of $489.4 billion dollars. As a consequence, shipping 408.553.9801
containers are being abandoned across the country because it’s just too expensive to
return empty containers to their origin. In the New Jersey Port of Newark/Elizabeth there
are nearly 1 million abandoned containers stored on site.

Shipping Containers can be found wherever goods are transported. However,

you can find the largest concentration in port cities.

Shipping Containers can withstand extreme environmental conditions. After all,

they are used onboard cargo ships and are left exposed to the sea air.

Shipping Containers are structural. They can carry payloads up to 47,000

pounds. That’s over 295 pounds per square foot for a typical 20’ container.

Shipping Containers are economical. A new container costs around $2500US.

Used as a home, it would reduce the construction cost 30% to 45%.

Shipping Containers are stackable and interlocking. Onboard a ship they are
SIX SHIPPING CONTAINERS TO MAKE ONE NEW HOME
stacked 4 high and when empty, are stacked up to 12 high on land.

Shipping Containers come in many sizes and configurations, including insulated

units.

Shipping Containers are airtight.

Shipping Containers have been used as other types of facilities like temporary
offices, changing rooms on oil rigs, portable medical facilities, and refugee
housing.

Shipping Containers are the ultimate modular unit. They fit on cargo ships,
trains, and trucks.

Sources
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/13/national/main600034.shtml
http://radio.weblogs.com/0119080/stories/2003/02/08/galleryBoxesAndCans.html
http://www.ponl.com/topic/home_page/language_en/about_us/useful_information/cargo_care/container_t
alk
http://www.globalspec.com/Specifications/SpecHelpAll?name=containers_iso&comp=4035
http://www.builderonline.com/article-builder.asp?channelID=55&sectionID=28&articleID=38673
http://www.containersolutions.net/
http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/movable_type/2003_archives/001993.html
http://www.airnav.com/airport/DEN
http://www.seabox.com/id-155
Heating, Cooling, and Lighting by Norbert Lechner

VIEW OF THE FRONT FACADE Copyright 2004 Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA

27'-11" 19'-10 1/2"

structural column of
shipping container, typ.

8'-0"
pantry d.oven sink
dw roof
kitchen patio
PROJECT INFORMATION bedroom
ref
cook

First Floor: 808 S.f.

doors of shipping containers are
Second Floor: 642 S.f. removed and filled with windows
stackable
dining Total: 1450 S.f. bedroom washer/dryer
28'-10"

garage

16'-0"
3 Bedrooms/ 2.5 Bathrooms
2 Car Garage bedroom
living Computer Room
1/2 bath
Laundry On Second Floor
Roof Patio
Made From 6 Iso Storage Containers
mech. closet or up
computer dn sill: 44"

6'-8"
stairs to basm't
room

shoji-like screen to diffuse

sunlight and reduce glare
wall made of materials available at home
location. (i.e. wood framed or c.m.u.)

FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1/8" = 1'-0" SECOND FLOOR PLAN 1/8" = 1'-0"

operable glazing for stack

ventilation in the summer.
conventional wood framing or cmu.
container
insulated roof framed over containers.

FRONT ELEVATION (EAST) 1/8" = 1'-0" NORTH ELEVATION 1/8" = 1'-0"

container container

N
SITE PLAN 1/16" = 1'-0" WEST ELEVATION 1/8" = 1'-0" SOUTH ELEVATION 1/8" = 1'-0"

Copyright 2004 Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA