shipping container architecture and interior design news and projects https://www.designboom.com/tag/shipping-container-architecture/ designboom magazine | your first source for architecture, design & art news Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:48:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 SpY reimagines industrial containers as golden monoliths in lille’s urban landscape https://www.designboom.com/art/spy-industrial-containers-golden-monoliths-lille-urban-landscape-04-28-2025/ Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:30:43 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1129660 through the dramatic arrangement of the containers, SpY transforms a conventional passageway into a ceremonial corridor.

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SpY’s golden containers redefine Lille’s urban corridor

 

Spanish urban artist SpY reimagines the everyday fabric of Lille, France, with Golden Monoliths — a monumental public art installation comprising 14 shipping containers positioned vertically along the city’s main thoroughfare. Cloaked entirely in gold, these industrial objects shed their utilitarian function to emerge as powerful totemic symbols. Through the dramatic, upright arrangement of the containers, SpY transforms a conventional passageway into a ceremonial corridor, inviting passersby into an immersive experience.

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 8
all images courtesy of Ruben PBescos

 

 

questioning the transformation of industrial objects

 

Visitors are no longer passive spectators but are prompted to engage directly with the towering structures, reconsidering ideas of scale, function, and value within the urban landscape. Originally designed for global trade and circulation, the shipping containers are removed from their functional context. Through the straightforward yet impactful gesture of covering them in gold, SpY reinterprets these industrial forms as symbolic monuments. This transformation is characteristic of the Spanish urban artist’s approach, where the utilitarian is reimagined, not for decoration but to critically address the fetishization of commodities and the systems that sustain contemporary consumption.

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 7
the monumental public art installation is composed of 14 shipping containers

 

 

a critical commentary on consumption and global trade

 

Installed amidst heightened global trade tensions and economic uncertainty, Golden Monoliths serves as a reflection on modern society’s relationship with consumption. By transforming tools of commerce into shining, symbolic monuments, SpY draws attention to the paradoxes of value, exchange, and desire that shape contemporary life.

With this installation, SpY continues his exploration of urban transformation through subtle yet impactful interventions. The installation blurs the boundaries between sculpture, architecture, and public space, prompting viewers to reconsider not only the objects themselves but also the unseen systems and ideologies they embody.

 

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 9
cloaked entirely in gold, these industrial objects emerge as powerful totemic symbols

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 2
SpY chooses to cover the containers in gold, straightforward yet impactful gesture

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 6
the industrial forms are reinterpreted as symbolic monuments

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Golden Monoliths serves as a reflection on modern society’s relationship with consumption

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 5
SpY transforms a conventional passageway into a ceremonial corridor

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 12
the installation blurs the boundaries between sculpture, architecture, and public space

industrial containers are transformed into a mythological corridor in spys latest intervention in lille 11
the piece prompts viewers to reconsider the objects themselve and the unseen systems they embody

spy-industrial-containers-golden-monoliths-lille-designboom-01

SpY draws attention to the paradoxes of value, exchange, and desire that shape contemporary life

 

 

project info:

 

name: Golden Monoliths
artist: SpY | @spy__studio
photography: Ruben PBescos | @rubenpb

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

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shipping containers shape see-through prefabricated residence in thai forest https://www.designboom.com/architecture/shipping-containers-see-through-prefabricated-residence-thai-forest-06-15-2024/ Sat, 15 Jun 2024 08:15:52 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1071138 the use of solid fiber cement and translucent polyester resin roofs makes the shelter appear transparent.

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Tung Jai Ork Baab utilizes containers in Thai see-through house

 

Tung Jai Ork Baab (TJOB) unveils the C2 Shelter, a weekend getaway home located in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. This residence expands upon the private vacation camping OOST Kampville Project, following the completion of the Container Cabin residence in 2022. Nestled amidst a forest of Dipterocarpus alatus (resin trees), the house is constructed using prefabrication materials due to the scarcity of local contractors and skilled workers. The primary internal spaces of the house are repurposed shipping containers, creatively adapted to a smaller scale and new functions.

 

To enhance its aesthetic appeal, the structure features solid fiber cement and translucent polyester resin roofs that interact with natural light and shadows. During the day, the shelter offers a subtle transparency inside and out. At night, it transforms into a gentle, glowing lightbox that softly illuminates the surrounding forest.


all images courtesy of Tung Jai Ork Baab (TJOB)

 

 

prefabricated C2 Shelter features industrial building materials

 

The name C2 signifies both the see-through nature of the shelter and its role as the second container structure in OOST Kampville. Tung Jai Ork Baab utilizes standard industrial building materials to suit the tropical climate and minimize heat transfer from the containers. Fiber cement, translucent polyester resin with fiberglass roofing, and galvanized steel structures were sourced from local construction shops, retaining their factory finishes for a clean aesthetic. Respecting the natural surroundings, the design positions three 6-meter-long containers within the Dipterocarpus alatus forest, avoiding disruption to existing trees. This layout divides the space into two sections, each featuring two bedrooms connected to a central common area and bathroom. Modest terraces on both sides extend the semi-outdoor living space. The C2 Shelter showcases an economical and efficient construction approach, using prefabricated containers to create a functional living environment. This project highlights the potential of repurposing surplus containers into viable residential structures, particularly in tropical environments like the Dipterocarpus alatus forest.


the C2 Shelter uses pre-fabrication construction


shipping containers serve as the primary internal rooms of the house


solid fiber cement and translucent polyester resin roofs make the shelter appear see-through


Tung Jai Ork Baab incorporates standard industrial building materials


the cabin expands the OOST Kampville Project

shipping-containers-prefabricated-see-through-shelter-thai-forest-designboom-1800-02

the residence transforms into a lightbox at night


standard industrial building materials mitigate heat transfer from the containers


the layout divides the space into two sides, each with two bedrooms

shipping-containers-prefabricated-see-through-shelter-thai-forest-designboom-1800-01

materials and light interaction illuminates the surrounding forest

 

 

project info:

 

name: C2 Shelter at OOST Kampville
designer: Tung Jai Ork Babb (TJOB)

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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madeiguincho repurposes cargo container as tiny house with sunken roof terrace https://www.designboom.com/architecture/madeiguincho-cargo-container-tiny-house-sunken-roof-terrace-04-04-2024/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 09:50:53 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1056870 the wooden interiors are kept simple and snug with an L-shaped layout and ample daylight filtering through several windows.

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first look at cargo tiny house by madeiguincho

 

Portuguese practice Madeiguincho shares first-look images of CARGO, a new Tiny House project soon available for short-term rental. The atelier challenged itself by repurposing an old shipping container, converting it into a daylit and space-saving abode, combining metal and wood throughout the design. As with previous projects, CARGO features signature Madeiguincho aesthetics, such as arched openings and multi-height interiors. 


all images © João Carranca, courtesy Madeiguincho Atelier

 

 

snug and space-saving design

 

The CARGO Tiny House by Madeiguincho (see more here) features a small front porch, an arched doorway, a porthole window, and a ladder that guides guests to a sunken roof terrace. Stepping inside, a snug living space welcomes guests. The architects kept the layout simple and clear, tucking a raised bed and window at the edge, with storage underneath. Complementing the sleeping nest is an L-shaped kitchen and seating area, revealing hints of faded blue. Wooden panels engulf the interior walls with delicate warmth, while concrete floors balance out the brownish hues.

madeiguincho CARGO Tiny house
CARGO Tiny House for short-term rental

madeiguincho CARGO Tiny house
repurposing an old shipping container

madeiguincho CARGO Tiny house
the house features a deck and a roof terrace


arched main doorway made of glass and framed in metal


daylit interiors of CARGO Tiny House


Madeiguincho designed the CARGO interiors in an L-shaped layout


porthole-like window facing the raised bed

 

project info:

 

name: CARGO Tiny House

architect: Madeiguincho Atelier @madeiguincho_atelier

photographer: João Carranca | @jcarranca_photography

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kseniia kolesnikova’s stilted glass house rises over a lake amid mountain peaks https://www.designboom.com/architecture/kseniia-kolesnikova-stilted-glass-house-rises-lake-mountain-peaks-03-31-2024/ Sun, 31 Mar 2024 10:30:12 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1055991 the house is clad in a rusted metal skin, while the interiors evoke a unified color palette of sand and terracotta.

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Kseniia Kolesnikova envisions rustic-looking glass house

 

Interior and product designer Kseniia Kolesnikova envisions Glass House as a long, rectangular abode tucked in between two mountain peaks. Hovering over a lake thanks to a series of pillars immersed in the water, the structure comprises parts of cargo containers fronted almost entirely with large glass panels, allowing the primitive and surreal-looking landscape to become part of the interior living spaces. Kolesnikova coated the exterior in a rusted metal skin inspired by small weathered fishing houses.glass house 2
general view of the Glass House | all renderings © Kseniia Kolesnikova

 

 

creating a japanese-inspired and unified palette indoors

 

The interior of Glass House by Kseniia Kolesnikova (see more here) unveils a unified color palette of sand and terracotta. The main materials used are natural stone (marble, travertine) and wood. The designer divides the space into three parts: the kitchen-living room with a tea zone, a study, and a bathroom in the center, and a bedroom with a bathroom. The two opposite parts connect to the mountain without partitions, allowing nature to penetrate not only through the windows but also into the space. 


standing on pillars immersed in water

 

 

Sand floors, reminiscent of traditional Japanese gardens, fill the tea room and relaxation area in the bedroom. Meanwhile, a Japanese-style lantern with a light fixture hangs in the tea zone. ‘The natural finish materials and warm color palette of the interior contrast with the cold stone exterior, enhancing the cozy effect inside. Glass House is a project that represents my creativity and style as an artist while also showcasing my architectural design skills,’ concludes Kseniia Kolesnikova. 


the designer envisions parts of cargo containers with large glazing


a rusted metal skin inspired by small rustic fishing houses

glass house 10
Glass House is tucked between two mountain peaks

glass house 1
balcony view

glass house 6
the interiors reveal a unified palette of sand and terracotta

glass-house-designboom-full

glass house 8
bedroom area

glass house 9
bathroom

glass-house-designboom-full-1

 

project info:

 

name: Glass House
designer: Kseniia Kolesnikova | @ks.tkacheva

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refurbished shipping containers host secluded retreat in rural georgia, USA https://www.designboom.com/architecture/shipping-containers-secluded-retreat-rural-georgia-usa-11-30-2023/ Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:45:48 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1033362 perched 60 feet (18 meters) above the forest floor on a slender metal framework, the lookout offers a serene getaway amidst pristine nature.

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River Forest Lookout in Whitfield Count, US

 

Among the pristine forest in Whitfield County, Georgia, sits the River Forest Lookout. This off-grid cabin, perched atop 14 acres (around 56,000 sqm) of mountainous terrain, offers breathtaking panoramas and a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts, as requested by the owner, Mark Derenthal, and his family. Crafted from two shipping containers and elevated 60 feet (18 meters) above the forest floor on a slender metal framework, the lookout provides a serene getaway for those seeking to disconnect from technology and immerse themselves in nature’s tranquility. The main container features an open living space with a small kitchen, cozy seating, and a dining area. An adjacent section houses a comfortable bed and storage space. The second container is dedicated solely to a well-equipped bathroom.

refurbished shipping containers host secluded retreat in rural georgia, USA
all images © River Forest lookout

 

 

secluded escape nestles in two elevated shipping containers

 

Powered by solar panels and propane heaters, this eco-conscious cabin provides modern comforts while minimizing environmental impact. The River Forest Lookout‘s highlight is its panoramic views, inviting guests to enjoy the surrounding wilderness from the balcony, with the sounds of the river creating a relaxing backdrop for guests to unwind. Moreover, a spiral staircase leads to a rooftop terrace, providing an additional space adorned with a fire pit and comfortable seating. This elevated platform serves as an ideal spot for stargazing, enhancing the experience of this secluded getaway immersed in nature’s beauty.

refurbished shipping containers host secluded retreat in rural georgia, USA
a peaceful retreat nestled within two shipping containers

refurbished shipping containers host secluded retreat in rural georgia, USA
the containers are lifted 60 ft (18 m) above the forest floor

refurbished shipping containers host secluded retreat in rural georgia, USA
the rooftop hosts a stargazing platform

river-forest-lookout-cohutta-wilderness-shipping-container-designboom-18002

floor-to-ceiling glass walls invite the outside in

refurbished shipping containers host secluded retreat in rural georgia, USA

power is provided through a solar panel system, ensuring a reduced environmental impact access to the cabin is achieved through a zig-zag metal staircase 

 

 

project info:

 

name: River Forest Lookout

owner and constructor: Mark Derenthal and his family

location: Whitfield County, Georgia, USA

accommodations are accessible via the Airbnb website

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balbek bureau converts shipping containers into portable cultural hub in ukraine https://www.designboom.com/architecture/balbek-bureau-shipping-containers-portable-cultural-hub-ukraine-09-12-2023/ Tue, 12 Sep 2023 10:32:52 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1015531 MOT (module of temporality) is a mobile cultural space constructed from 27 cargo containers.

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Balbek Bureau’s Portable Cultural Space made of containers

 

MOT (Module of Temporality) is a mobile cultural space constructed from 27 cargo containers. Designed by Kyiv-based studio balbek bureau, this project was commissioned by Don’t Take Fake, a local event agency and contemporary culture magazine publisher. The containers have been strategically arranged to form a two-story complex, carefully planned for effortless disassembly, transport, and reassembly in less than ten days. MOT’s overarching approach is to delve into the notion of time and the fleeting nature of life through artistic expression. 

 

Since its launch in February 2023, MOT has traveled to three Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lutsk, and is currently temporarily located in Lviv. Inside, MOT hosts a multimedia exhibition featuring the works of 28 artists from 10 different countries. All proceeds generated by MOT are dedicated to the restoration of art institutions in Ukraine that have suffered damage due to Russian aggression.

balbek bureau converts shipping containers into portable cultural hub in ukraine
all images by Andriy Bezuglov, unless stated otherwise

 

 

mot: a movable multifunctional space

 

The story behind the Module of Temporality (MOT) project began in 2012 when balbek bureau (see more here) ordered some containers from the Ilyichivsk Ship Repair Plant. Originally, these containers were intended to serve as a versatile space with the ability to relocate. The initial plan was for it to be used as an art center, and later, it could be used as a mobile school, lecture hall, event venue, or even a private residence. Regrettably, the project was never realized. In 2022, the team from Don’t Take Fake approached balbek bureau with a proposal to repurpose these containers for the MOT project.

 

For balbek bureau, one of the main challenges in designing MOT’s structure was its mobility and the complexity of the cantilever. They also put effort into ensuring proper thermal and water insulation. The modules themselves had a distinctive design, so there was no need for overly bold accents, except for the branding done by the CREVV design studio.

balbek bureau converts shipping containers into portable cultural hub in ukraine
designed for effortless dismantling, transportation, and reassembly in less than ten days

 

 

The focal point of MOT is an exhibition specially crafted for this endeavor. Spanning two floors of the venue, it showcases a diverse range of artworks, encompassing paintings, sculptures, installations, and audiovisual pieces. It features the works of several artists, including JR from France, Mark Jenkins from the USA, and local talents like Zhanna Kadyrova, Roman Minin, and Maria Kulikovska from Ukraine. Inside MOT’s welcome area, the intentionally low ceiling was designed to create a sense of confinement, reminiscent of the feeling people experience in shelters during air raids. On the other hand, the main exhibition area is spacious and open. The architects deliberately left the joints of the container walls visible to highlight the modular structure.

 

The primary material used throughout the design is metal, with various forms and textures. As a tribute to the enterprises affected by Russian aggression, the architects incorporated metal beams and sheets from Azovstal and the Ilich Iron & Steel Works, which were both heavily impacted during the battles for Mariupol. The interior design, except for the areas featuring yellow fiberglass, maintains a neutral color palette. Meanwhile, custom-made furniture, with varying shapes and heights, creates a visual contrast within the modules.

balbek bureau converts shipping containers into portable cultural hub in ukraine

balbek bureau converts shipping containers into a portable cultural hub
the MOT’s goal is to explore the concept of time and life’s transience through art

balbek-bureau-cargo-containers-movable-cultural-space-designboom-21800

balbek bureau converts shipping containers into portable cultural hub in ukraine the containers host a multimedia exhibition featuring the works of 28 artists

balbek-bureau-cargo-containers-movable-cultural-space-designboom-18008

every income generated by MOT is committed to the restoration of Ukrainian art institutions damaged by Russian aggression

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: MOT

studio: balbek bureau  | @balbekbureau

architects: Slava Balbek, Alla Vitas-Zakharzhevska, Nata Kurylenko, Anastasiia Partyka, Artem Zavarzin
3D artist: Valeriy Stefanov
project manager: Anna Viktorova
area: 417 sqm
year: 2023

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concept jeep ‘container house’ can be built & dismantled anywhere for nomad lifestyle https://www.designboom.com/architecture/concept-jeep-container-house-nomad-lifestyle-11-04-2022/ Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:30:05 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=941935 the concept jeep container house generates its own electricity via solar panels and makes use of recyclable wood for the interior.

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Living a nomad life with Jeep’s container house

 

Jeep Japan has come up with a container house concept that can be built and dismantled anywhere, a wanderer’s sleeping companion. The car company is toying with working on a convertible house that can be constructed in the wilderness, desert, or snowy mountains while giving the owners leeway to toy with the room settings and features. Their collaboration has resulted in the first look of what they call ‘traveling house,’ conceiving the usual look of a container house, but adding an element of outdoor living in the design. 

jeep container house
images courtesy of Dolive and Jeep

 

 

The main door slides open to save space and is positioned in the middle to immediately give expansive views of the inside. Across the main door and on the sides, large windows open to nature and surroundings to invite natural light inside. When the sunlight penetrating the inside becomes too much, owners can just flap the window blinds down like a treasure box. The dubbed Jeep container house seems suitable for families and wanderers who want to enjoy the outdoor life, either temporarily or permanently.

jeep container house
the jeep container house is powered by solar panels

 

 

The design team states that the Jeep container house has its outer wall intentionally designed to be opened and closed to give it a spacious vibe, while the rooftop anchors a natural skylight to elicit a sense of openness. The only barrier that refrains the owners from living entirely outside is the galvanized iron foundation of the container house, a testament to how the design team wants residents to always feel connected with the surroundings.

jeep container house
the space divisions depend on the owners

 

 

Space divisions depend on the owners

 

The design team of Jeep Japan also recommends those who want to live in the container house to have their own sofa, tarpaulins, and carpet for outside bonding. It can easily pass as outdoor camping, and just add a campfire in the scene at sunset or in the evening and the chill mode is full-blown. Going inside, the environment softens with the glass material that permeates the space. The design team has decided not to divide the spaces inside on their own and allow the owners to do it themselves.

jeep container house
windows have blocks that flap

 

 

With this setting, owners can position their sleeping, kitchen, dining, and living areas how they want it. It looks like the position of the windows can’t be changed, but the benefits of configuring the space how the owners want it can be a winsome deal. They can twist the spaces then to their benefit and let the natural light spill in wherever home areas they want it to enter.

jeep-dolive-container-house-designboom-ban

Jeep container house

Solar-powered container house

 

Relating to Jeep, solar panels power the container house, so electricity runs throughout the property. The setting allows owners to charge their Jeep vehicles as they rest inside their accommodation. Since Jeep has been developing plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, having solar panels for the container house is a reasonable approach. Solar panels also allow a comfortable living in the wilderness where generating electricity isn’t a problem.

jeep container house
sunset time at jeep container house

 

 

The choice of recyclable wood is a conscious decision from the design team who wants the container house to resemble an apartment or proper house on a lot and to ensure that the materials conform to the standards the environment requires these days. Since Jeep’s container house can be built anywhere the owners like, it’s also possible for them to have two homes: one in the city and one where the container house is built. In the former lies where the hustling lifestyle is while in the latter nestles where the sanctuary is. 

jeep container house
nighttime camping at jeep container house

 

 

project info:

 

name: Concept container house

company: Jeep (Japan)

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socrates sculpture park’s shipping container home ‘the cubes’ begins construction https://www.designboom.com/architecture/lot-ek-cubes-shipping-container-socrates-sculpture-park-long-island-city-new-york-08-29-2022/ Mon, 29 Aug 2022 06:45:14 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=924558 18 shipping containers will stack to form two levels, with diagonal bands of glass introducing natural light.

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Socrates sculpture park to expand with 18 shipping containers

 

Architecture studio LOT-EK has announced the ground-breaking of ‘The Cubes,’ the new home for Long Island City‘s Socrates Sculpture Park — a space which exhibits contemporary public art and aims to foster community. With 2,640 square feet of interior space, the two-story building will take shape as an assemblage of eighteen reused shipping containers to celebrate the industrial roots of the New York City neighborhood. The architecture will also express the park’s founding principles of creative reclamation and adaptable re-use. Once completed, it will become the first permanent structure in the park’s thirty-year history. The project is expected to reach completion in early 2024.

socrates sculpture parkimages courtesy Socrates Sculpture Park

 

 

the history of the traveling structure ‘the cubes’

 

Currently taking shape at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, New York, The Cubes began its life as a commission by the Whitney Museum of American Art when it was located on Madison Avenue. At the time, the shipping container construction covered only 720 square feet across one level and housed the museum’s educational programming. When the Whitney moved to its current location in Chelsea, it offered The Cubes as a donation to the Socrates Sculpture Park. This led to the expansion of both the park, and of the architects‘ original concept.

 

The design of LOT-EK’s The Cubes grew and transformed with the addition of twelve shipping containers — for a total of eighteen — stacked across two levels. Diagonal bands of glass cut across the walls and roof, introducing natural light and views of the park and the skyline beyond — all while maintaining generous wall space inside for indoor exhibitions.

 

 

the multifunctional design by lot-ek

 

The architects at LOT-EK plan The Cubes with an inherently multi-functional design, suiting the flexible needs of the Socrates Sculpture Park. It will have two primary uses — it will primarily host administrative offices, giving the organization a physical presence in the park as it operates and programs. Next, the building will provide an indoor space — capable of housing classes of up to 70 children and teens — for curatorial, educational, and community programming during the fall and winter months of the school year.

 

A 480 square-foot shaded deck area will also host outdoor classes and programming. Meanwhile, the rooftop will be fit with solar panels to provide renewable energy while offering a teaching tool for sustainable practices. The Socrates Sculpture Park writes: ‘This new home secures the Park’s future, so generations to come can enjoy the Park and take advantage of our programs.’

socrates sculpture park

 

project info:

 

project title: The Cubes

architecture: LOT-EK | @lot_ek

client: Socrates Sculpture Park | @socratespark

location: Long Island City, New York

park director: Tamsin Dillon | @tamsindillon

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floating luminous containers evoke curiosity and self-reflection in QIU’s pavilion in taiwan https://www.designboom.com/art/floating-luminous-containers-qiu-pavilion-taiwan-07-15-2022/ Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:10:51 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=913980 the dynamic lighting and materiality of the volumes offer visitors a multi-dimensional interaction to explore the ‘breathing organism of light’. 

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qiu installs the cube in kaohsiung, taiwan

 

For the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts’ International Container Art Festival, Quality Innovation United (QIU) Architects has completed The Cube, an ambitious pavilion which perfectly embodies the festival’s theme of Van Buren Supernova, encouraging participants to explore light, stars, hope and a new life. Situated on a pier in the regenerated art district of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, The Cube seeks to spark the imagination with considerations about Kaohsiung’s future, while remaining firmly rooted in the city’s port heritage. QIU’s concept takes form in a lightweight cuboid frame structure holding five luminous containers that appear to be floating amongst the interconnected lines of light, transforming Kaohsiung Port’s industrial skyline and encouraging visitors to explore the mobility of the unknown.

floating luminous containers evoke curiosity and self-reflection in QIU's pavilion in taiwan
when the visitor enters The Cube, they become performers of the art installation

all images by Studio Millspace

 

 

luminous floating containers evoke curiosity

 

QIU’s The Cube – ‘commu(nica)ting vessels through interstellar corridors’ – is deemed the most ambitious structure and largest pavilion in more than a decade of the Kaohsiung International Container Arts Festival. ‘We wanted to challenge everything, not only in the structure’s size, but also the programme, the material, the lighting, and the way people would engage with it.’ notes lead architect Young Chiu.

 

The interactive pavilion consists of a white, lightweight, rectangular steel frame structure that generates a hierarchy of spaces in which five hollow container-like objects hang and float. The architects use lightweight translucent Polycarbonate panels which retain the shape of the container structures, creating horizontal luminous volumes that evoke curiosity. Interconnected lines of light guide visitors, inviting them to explore the structure, climb the frame and enter the hollow containers. The dynamic lighting and materiality of the volumes offer visitors a multi-dimensional interaction to explore the mobility of the unknown and examine the ‘breathing organism of light’. Through the hollow vertical container in the centre of the pavilion, a connection is made between the visitor and the sky, in an exploration of a common theme between the container and the star. While gazing through the kaleidoscope-like interior, the sky offers infinite reflections of themselves. A steady rhythm of light and dark are produced, to represent the pulse of life. From within, visitors are offered framed views overlooking the Kaohsiung harbour. Meanwhile, to spectators on the outside, they are perceived as silhouettes, becomeing performers of the art installation.

floating luminous containers evoke curiosity and self-reflection in QIU's pavilion in taiwan
through the hollow vertical container, a connection is made between the visitors and the sky

 

 

an exploration of light, stars, hope and a new life

 

‘Sustainability has been on the forefront of our design process’, state the architects. With carefully selected materials – which were recycled post exhibition – and a strategic live load arrangement, the weight of the structure has been minimized. To achieve a slender structural frame while safeguarding the original design composition, QIU inserts a smaller subframe which provides structural integrity to support the floating volumes, andincreases the area of the structure’s square hollow section. The Cube’s design, with accessible hung containers, slender structural frame, and sheer overall dimensions was challenging due to its location which faces high typhoon and seismic risk. As such, below the floating ground floor deck, the main frame has been anchored to steel H-beams to achieve a solid foundation capable to withstand typhoons.

floating luminous containers evoke curiosity and self-reflection in QIU's pavilion in taiwan
the pulsating rhythm of light and dark of the translucent vessels represents the pulse of life

floating-luminous-containers-qui-pavilion-taiwan-designboom-5

The Cube seeks to spark the imagination with considerations about Kaohsiung’s future, while remaining firmly rooted in the city’s port heritage

floating luminous containers evoke curiosity and self-reflection in QUIs pavilion in taiwan
through the hollow vertical container, a connection is made between the visitor and the sky

floating luminous containers evoke curiosity and self-reflection in QIU's pavilion in taiwan
the kaleidoscope-like interior of the hollow container by night

floating-luminous-containers-qui-pavilion-taiwan-designboom-4

the luminous pavilion transforms Kaohsiung Port’s industrial skyline

floating luminous containers evoke curiosity and self-reflection in QIU's pavilion in taiwan
within a lightweight, rectangular steel frame structure are five hollow container-like objects that hang and float

 

 

project info:

 

name: The Cube
architect: Quality Innovation United – QIU

photography: Studio Millspace 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions’ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

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french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools https://www.designboom.com/design/shipping-containers-swimming-pools-06-27-2022/ Mon, 27 Jun 2022 22:15:02 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=911203 calaak'oncept, a company specializing in cargotecture, designs and distributes swimming pools carved in shipping containers.

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shipping containers into low-maintenance swimming pools 

 

Calaak’Oncept, a company based in Geispolsheim, France that specializes in cargotecture or transforming cargo structures into products of architecture, designs and distributes swimming pools carved in shipping containers. Dubbed Calaak pools and manufactured in Bas-Rhin by a collective of pool specialists in Geispolsheim, the custom-made container pools feature a mix of modern and industrial styles. The structure does not begin and end with delivering and installing the container pools, but the specialists guide their clients into what goes into and out of the cargotecture as they advise on the design of customizable and economical, above-ground or in-ground pools. The company’s mission lies in its desire to let its clients discover eco-responsible concepts of swimming pools that require low maintenance and shares its delight to have recently expanded its dissemination and transport across France.

 

The company prides itself on having a varied choice of installation, be it above ground, semi-buried, or even raised on a cliff to afford the view of the landscape. It offers fully customizable pool layouts with a large number of options to modify them, an exterior rendering that meets clients’ expectations from glazed area and cladding to access and security, and a range of options that allows clients to construct their pools according to their specifications. For Calaak’Oncept, the industry of the container pools constantly evolves as desires from clients and consistent developments emerge. It also promises to provide clients with advice and tailor-made solutions to meet the constraints of their outdoor spaces regardless of the size.

french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools
Images from Calaak’Oncept

 

 

Variations of the shipping-container pools 

 

Calaak’Oncept offers three main categories of Calaak pools. The six-meter-sized pool saves space if clients want to install the pool in their gardens, making it ideal for restricted spaces and accessible to all. The twelve-meter-sized pools have two variations, a spacious one built for athletes, swimming fans, and large families, and another made for relaxing with a jacuzzi area. Wellness options are also available which include two-, three, and five-seat spas consisting of docks and armchairs; hydromassage and aromatherapy; chromotherapy with a combination of ten colors; and waterfall selections accompanied by the sound of water.

 

As for the customization, the exterior cladding comes with steel or wooden materials with different colors available. The railing of the pools can be in glazed surface, metallic, or stainless, and types of wood can also be ordered to match the clients’ surroundings or terrace. The Calaak pools comprise a fixed metal ladder, a removable staircase made of wood, a central metal stringer and five steps, an external staircase, and basin modularity. A white LED spotlight is included to light up the pool at night with an option to have a colored LED projector with remote control, indirect peripheral lighting, a white LED strip, and a LED spotlight at the bottom of the pool.

 

The pool area has an automatic chlorine regulator, salt chlorinator, biological filtration, fogger, cover with a roller, and electric curtains, to name a few. The company says that the installation and setup take only one day along with lining in the 16A electrical outlet and that the installation and commissioning of the container pools are already included in the total cost of the pool. Apart from installing the Calaak pools and advising on what layout to get, the team behind the company also provides electrical, plumbing, and earthworks solutions.

french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools
Calaak’Oncept turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools

 

 

Transporting shipping-container pools 

 

The manufacturing time can extend up to four weeks, depending on the workload. The container pools are transported by an 11m carrier truck or a semi-trailer, depending on the model chosen, and it is possible to lift the pool based on the feasibility of installing it. Depending on the size of the basin chosen, lifting and transport are carried out by truck crane or mobile crane. If needed, the company can hoist the pool using a crane which is already included with the transport and costs, and long-range cranes and helicopter lifting are still being studied by the team, but are already considered as a potential means to transport the product.

 

The company seems to also offer a container pool house where it builds a shelter out of the Calaak pools and fits in a shower, bathroom, changing room, and a relaxation area to complete the arrangement that is made for house parties and gatherings. ‘Its robustness and resistance to extreme weather conditions make it a good choice for a swimming pool,’ the company writes. Topping it off, the pool specialists also offer anti-corrosion paint and guarantee that their materials are specially designed to resist shocks, bad-weather conditions, and corrosion.

french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools
Close-up view of the container pool

french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools
Above-ground variation of the container swimming pool

french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools
Buried variation of the container swimming pool

french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools
Half-buried variation of the container swimming pool

french company turns shipping containers into durable, low-maintenance swimming pools
Raised variation of the container swimming pool

 

 

project info:

 

name: Calaak Pools

company: Calaak’Oncept

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