Student Housing Using Cargo Containers

Adaptability of containers for use in student housing in the Indian Context

Kirthi Pillai1, Prof. Sunayanee Banerjee2
1
D. Y. Patil School Of Architecture
kirthipillai@gmail.com
2
Assistant Professor, Studio Director

ABSTRACT

Reusing and recycling of materials is considered as an important value in Sustainable Design and
Architecture that has prolonged among many historical ages, from reuse of stone, wood, and marble.
The previous decades witnessed the use of many materials in creating spaces that can host various
functions. From re-use of paper, till reusing steel shipping containers, various attempts have been
made to explore the possibilities, opportunities and examples of creating many functions, projects, or
even large buildings been constructed using shipping containers. The wide increase of these
applications leads to the emerging of a type of Architecture called Containers Architecture. This paper
is an attempt to explore Adaptability of Containers for use in Student Housing in the Indian Context,
by studying different opportunities of reusing these steel boxes, that are usually supposed to be left
unused or expensively reprocessed in a complicated manufacturing process that not only costs money
but also consuming energy. This Research Paper aims to create knowledge in student housing using
Shipping Containers to hosts different functions & human activities, not only on the scale of an
individual building but also on a larger scale that can help in creating a campus that is structurally
stable & safe, environment friendly, with very high capabilities of achieving aesthetic values that can
be utilized by students. Going through this study, it will explore & analyze some projects and case
studies from many points of views, Geometrically, Architecturally, Structurally and Environmentally.

Keywords: Shipping Container, Student Housing, Environment – Friendly, Architecture Spaces

Introduction
Shipping container architecture could be defined as that type of architecture that is generally
characterized by the re-use of steel shipping containers as a structural element and Architectural
envelope that can host a specific function or a human activity. Often this type of architecture is termed
Cargotecture, a blend of conventional architecture and containers. The applicable of Cargotecture has
greatly expanded in the recent times in credit to their strong plating, inexpensiveness, and widespread
obtainability. It was noticed recently that many people were building their houses using shipping
containers for their low environmental impact in comparison to traditional houses made with brick
and reinforced concrete, taking into consideration the short time required to erect a building in this
way, with future possibilities of moving these buildings to other locations or adding extra spaces or
volumes.

Pune City in recent times has become one of the most important educational hubs of India. As the
institutions expand a greater number of students are drawn in, creating a problem for accommodation
and housing. Recent times Pune has experienced a hype in the monthly rents due to the increase in
students occupying housing units near institutes due to shortage of accommodation On Site in
Campus. Shipping Containers is an efficient alternative for this problem as they are reused
(Environment Friendly), handed over (Pocket Friendly), Stackable (Design Friendly). Student housing
does not need to be permanent as the occupant using the space rents it for a couple of months.
Research in Architecture 2019: Regional conference on Research In Architecture 2018-19, D Y Patil School of
Architecture, Charoli Bk via Lohegaon, Pune
Containers can provide a temporary yet stable structure which can be placed where ever needed,
minimum labor, fast completion and efficiently functioning. The methodology used for this research
focuses on studying structures which are presently constructed and functioning, detailed study about
the sun path and wind direction in Pune, strategies for maintaining microclimate within a unit, and
design parameter for designing a single unit of container housing. Questionnaire survey was
conducted among the students to study their understanding about housing and need in particular to
be full filled for the same.

1. What is a Shipping Container?

A shipping container is a steel frame-usually The composition of the shipping container:
cuboid- with a suitable strength to support large Any shipping container is composed of 6 planes,
cargo transits and stowage. There are various floor, top, and four sides, made of steel, in
types of containers, varying from refillable to regular corrugations that help in making these
universally standardized. For global trade, the sides strong enough to tolerate loads, or
term container is directly associated to a pressures that may occur during the
shopping container which can be loaded onto a transportation process, in addition to steel posts
great number of transportation options without and enforcements whether in the corners, or
requiring unpacking of its contents. intersections of these planes(sides), or below the
floor, or above the top. Accordingly, as a
structure, its designed to resist forces as
mentioned that exceeds the forces being
developed in many architectural spaces like
residences, offices, dorms, etc.

Storage Order:
Containers on a global scale are constructed with
their frames intended for stacking in a
standardized manner. It is not possible for
containers to be stacked in any other manner
other than the standardized norm. This is
Figure 1 Image Showing Various Parts of Shipping because the frames are meant to stack in a
Containers universal alignment with no other locks
emplaced to facilitate an alien alignment.

Table 1 Dimension Chart

2. Why Could A Shipping Container Be

Used As A Space Unit That Can Create A
Figure 2 Containers Stacked
Building Or A Group Of Buildings?
Research in Architecture 2019: Regional conference on Research In Architecture 2018-19, D Y Patil School of
Architecture, Charoli Bk via Lohegaon, Pune
 Cite A Docks
3. Case Studies
• Architect: Cattani Architects
Keetwonen in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Location: La Havre, France
The largest container locality in the world is
located in Netherlands. This city was created by • Date: 2010
Tempo housing, and called Keetwonen. This city
went on to gain huge prominence in the country, • This structure is a dormitory located in
particularly in students’ groups. The city has Le Havre, France.
become the second largest dormitory in the city
• One hundred dorms were construction
of Amsterdam. The success of Keetwonen
through transforming old containers into
displaced any previous anxiety that container
a four-story building.
households would be either too noisy, small, or
cold. The containers proved to be highly cost- • Each apartment has 24 square meters
efficient, roomful and insulated against noise and includes a bathroom and a kitchen,
and effects of weather, beating out other which is just about everything a student
student housing schemes present in the city. could need.
Keetwonen also manages to offer utilities that
were missing in other student housing societies; • Observing the building façade, it
each house came complete with its own kitchen, sponsors a highly metallic and dull
bathroom, gallery, study and bedroom. Each theme, which fails to complement the
house featured upsized glass windows to students’ learning energy.
facilitate daylight entering the house and
ventilation system. • According to the developers, the
metallic framework facilitates greater
The Keetwonen was constructed in 2005, though identification of various rooms and
it may appear that residents are living inside broadens them by using foreign
metal boxes, the interiors is actually quite extensions, which are modified, into
affluent on the standards of students. Each balconies.
house consists of its own gallery, kitchen, and
• The sloping architecture provides the
bathroom. There even is access to fast
entire structure a mixed feeling of being
broadband internet. This housing was meant as
both filled and hollow. Granting a more
a temporary location for student housing,
scenic view.
however, relocation plans have been extended
as further as 2016 and students and individuals • This existence of this structure is in
who purchased their containers can relocated credit to modified used containers. The
their house to a new personal spot. modifications provided changes the
containers into complete houses
spanning 24 sq. meters individually, and
amounting over hundred houses in a 4-
floored structure.

• One of the chief designers for this

structure provided a reflection on her
through process. The team had to work
against the popular sentiment against
stacking. The housing demands have
changed drastically and therefore this
structure had to be designed in a way
Research in Architecture 2019: Regional conference on Research In Architecture 2018-19, D Y Patil School of
Architecture, Charoli Bk via Lohegaon, Pune
 that ensures greater feeling of personal
housing independences.

• Containers came out as the best

solution, older models would be
renovated, and interior space would be
refurbished. The designing on containers
allowed for them to be stacked on each
other and foreign objects, such as
walkways would be erected to facilitate
movement.
Figure 3 View of Cita a Docks
• Container based framework makes it
easier to identifies the boundaries of
each house and makes them
aesthetically pleasing through the
placement of terraces.

• The sloping effect makes the structure

even more aesthetically pleasing
through portraying the structure as
neither too crowded nor empty.

• Structure, comprised of one hundred

houses, is spread over 4 floor plans. The Figure 4 Site Plan
first floor was elevated to ensure
identical privacy for the ground floor
residents as the residents from upper
floors receive.

• Each house faces a garden located within

the structure premises, plenty of
windows and glass walls facilitate
consistent penetration of natural light
into each house.

• In order to facilitate greater noise and

temperature isolation, the containers at Figure 5 Plan and Section of One Unit
dividing locations those lacking adjacent
containers were coated with forty
centimeters of reinforced concrete,
alongside rubber coating to ensure
minimal vibrations.

• The external facade is designed by the

combination of the old “boxes” that has
kept the undulating, repainted in
metallic gray. Inside, the designers chose
white walls and wooden furniture. Each
studio has a bathroom and a kitchen.
Figure 6 Section and Elevation OF Building

Research in Architecture 2019: Regional conference on Research In Architecture 2018-19, D Y Patil School of
Architecture, Charoli Bk via Lohegaon, Pune
 create not only functional spaces, but also
4. Orientation of structure depending on various configurations of architectural programs
the Sun Path and Wind Direction of or functions, that vary from a very simple
Pune residential unit, to a small office building
extending to a shopping mall, or a cultural
Location – Pune center, that hosts bigger number of users. Many
Latitude –17 °N attempts have been done globally to create
Longitude –73° 5'E interesting architectural spaces, that can be
Altitude – 564 m constructed in a relatively short interval of time,
Climate Zone - Hot Dry with a reasonable cost. Possibilities are extended
Min. Comfort Temperature – 22 C also to compose livable urban spaces, that can be
Max Comfort Temperature – 28 C easily constructed and relevantly in a low budget
within a short time, in addition to the flexibility
and possibility of been reconstructed in other
locations or sites. Containers architecture is not
a rigid type of construction of buildings or spaces
configuration, although it’s based on the
modularity of volumes, yet many examples
showed a wide range of varieties in spaces
externally and internally.

Shipping Containers Architecture Benefits could

be briefed in the following points:
• Renovation of previously utilized containers
• For the plan of size 6m x 12m, as per the that have fallen into disuse from ports located
parameters defined above, heating and worldwide.
cooling loads are calculated for angle 0, • Containers are considerably sturdier compared
15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135 to wooden or brick structures, they also late for
Degree orientation. multiple decades with little decay.
• While orientation software rotates the • Containers are all standardized with identical
North direction by the orientation angle, designs, thus all containers can be stacked upon
keeping the building at same location. or placed side by side without requiring
• Basic building is planned in such that on additional resources or planning.
east and west side exposure (Width) • Renovation of containers take little time, there
surface is less. have been reports of a container being
• East side surface area of building is less successfully renovated for personal living in little
then North side surface. as 72 hours.
• Durable against extreme temperature and
pests.
• Easily broken down for movement and
reassembled with the same structure intact,
requiring little expense for transit of house
between locations.
• Highly durable frame lasts for decades without
requiring too expensive or specific maintenance.
5. Conclusion • Always a possibility for further extensions, a
house can be expanded with more containers to
Although having a very systematic and regular make it larger, with personalized placement of
shape, shipping containers could be reused to new rooms and utilities.

Research in Architecture 2019: Regional conference on Research In Architecture 2018-19, D Y Patil School of
Architecture, Charoli Bk via Lohegaon, Pune
References

[1] Levinson, Marc. How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy
Bigger. Princeton University Press.

[2] Gittins, Ross. "How the invention of a box changed our world – Business – smh.com.au". The
Sydney Morning Herald. 2013.

[3] Portable fuel, oil freight container: Design Criteria for Specialized Shipping Containers, 1999.

[4] ASTM Shipping Container Standards and Related Technical Material, 5th edition, ASTM, 2007.

[5] McKinley, A. H., "Transport Packaging", Institute of Packaging Professionals, 2004.

[6] Brody, A. L., and Marsh, K, S., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 1997.

[7] Myers, Steven Lee, "From Soviet-Era Flea Market to a Giant Makeshift Mall". The New York Times,
2006.

[8] www.abbreviations.com

[9] www.containerhome.info -containers.html

[10] www.homedit.com

[11] houztex.com

[12] flavorwire.com

[13]freshome.com

[14] http://www.shipping-container-housing.com

Research in Architecture 2019: Regional conference on Research In Architecture 2018-19, D Y Patil School of
Architecture, Charoli Bk via Lohegaon, Pune
Research in Architecture 2019: Regional conference on Research In Architecture 2018-19, D Y Patil School of
Architecture, Charoli Bk via Lohegaon, Pune