As hundreds of thousands of Haitians huddle in the streets after the stunning devastation of last week’s earthquake, caring people across the world are trying to think of ways to help – and this may just be one of the most creative (and realistic) ideas yet.
Designers from South Carolina’s Clemson University think they have just the solution for weatherproof, insect-resistant, fire-proof and structurally sound homes that can be moved and set up faster than anything else: shipping containers.
From SEED, via Alternative Consumer:
Utilizing an existing surplus of shipping containers and working with industry partners including Container -it, Intermodal Steel Building Units Association, Sargent Metals, and Tri-County Technical, Clemson University designers from the Department of Architecture and the Department of Landscape Architecture are researching and developing an affordable housing solution for the Caribbean Region.
Caribbean nations inherently import more goods than they export generating a steady surplus of shipping containers. Shipping containers are designed to carry massive amounts of cargo and withstand extreme weather conditions making them a logical housing component. Completely constructed of steel and reinforced with eight corner post moment connections and corrugated steel walls a 40′ shipping container can carry 67,200 pounds and resist overturn when exposed to winds up to 140 mph.
Without modification a 40′ shipping container has 304 square feet of floor space and eliminates problems associated with insects, fire, and hurricanes. With modification a 40′ shipping container can be a safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly home for numerous local inhabitants who would otherwise have less.
What a fascinating proposal – especially considering that shipping containers are clearly suited for living, working and shopping, as evidenced by projects already in place around the world. There are more than enough disused shipping containers to go around, they’re easily stackable and relatively inexpensive. Just check out the roundup of shipping container architecture over at WebUrbanist to see what we mean.
Link [Earthfirst] via [SEED] via [Alternative Consumer]