History
In the United States, around 1985, Phillip C. Clark recorded that there would be a method for converting one or more cargo containers into habitable buildings.
What is a container?
The container is a kind of box, made from steel, fiber or aluminum. For this reason, the container is very well structured to withstand the constant use of different types of goods.
It is also well known as a cargo safe, as it has security devices provided by national laws and international conventions.
It is important to know that there are types of containers that are not suitable for housing, just look at what type of cargo he carried or what type of cargo he was intended to carry. If there is a container that has been used to transport some toxic material, the ideal is not to use it for housing, even if it is sanitized.
Some types of containers
Standard Dry Container: it is the most used and purchased container worldwide, as it is intended for general cargo. It is widely used for the construction of a container house, and is completely closed, with standard doors at the background.
Container High Cube: it is very similar to the previous one, but higher, and this allows it to transport more loads.
Refrigerated Container: in this container the floor is made of wood, it has an aluminum grid, its doors are reinforced with steel and its internal finish is made of stainless steel.
Tank Container: Transports dangerous liquid cargoes or not.
Container Open Slide: has only three walls.
Container Open Top: has no roof, is used for cargo such as marble, glass, machinery.
Ventilated Container: this inside has small openings that allow air to enter. It is ideal for transporting products such as cocoa and coffee.
Container House
The container house has been gaining more and more space in the market, making it a very interesting alternative for commercial or even residential properties. Its facades are a great option for those who want a fast, effective, safe and environmentally friendly construction.
Container houses are focused on sustainability, so they do not harm the environment because of their size, which is convenient for construction. The enterprise is already adopted in the United States, Europe and Asia, and is gaining more and more space in Brazil, which occupies the fourth place in the ranking of nations that invest in sustainable buildings.
For the construction of a container house, it is necessary to evaluate some aspects, such as the size of the terrain, since the 40-foot container measures 12 meters, and the 20-foot container measures 6 meters, but the municipal and federal legislation must also be taken into account, cause each city and municipality has its own distinct rules. However, approval of the project by the city hall is still required. In some municipalities these procedures are simpler and faster, while in others, they are slower and bureaucratic. Right after the approval made by the city, it is important not to forget the real estate registration, because every construction or building made on a terrain, needs to be registered. The annotation is a delegation of the public power, where the judicial sentences are registered and filed with a notary.
Every container house needs thermal finishes, so that you will enjoy a more pleasant environment. But remember that air circulation and solar position are very important for any house.
Tips for building a container house
1. Be sure to see the containers before purchasing them. See if it is within your standards so there is no regret after making the purchase.
2. Have knowledge about the container market.
3. Understand the container’s structure,
4. Try to take into account the characteristics of the location chosen for the container house construction,
5. Try to find a reliable contractor to do all the work.
Caterpillar House, by Sebastián Irarrázaval.
This house was built and prefabricated on the surroundings of Santiago, for an art collector. Second-hand containers were used to reduce time and costs. The first objective was to integrate the house into the territory, which is close to the Andes. The second objective was to allow outside air to flow easily throughout the house, avoiding mechanical cooling.
In the first phase of construction, it was located where the retaining walls would be, thus creating a horizontal plane for the house’s public areas. And the second phase was the assembly of the containers with a unitary material, creating a ventilated facade, and also acclimating the internal spaces.
The set of material choices was made not only to reduce costs, but also to facilitate its maintenance. Architectural elements like doors and windows were standardized and repeated throughout the house.