Rethinking ArchitectureIn recent years, home containers have been a real success. As much with the self-constructors as with the amateurs of industrial and original design. Modular, ecological and inexpensive, container houses also have the advantage of being built in record time.
The containers, designed to withstand long sea voyages and all weather hazards, are almost indestructible. The problem is that, a few years ago, we did not know how to recycle them. Until the construction industry took over. In the Netherlands, for example, architects and designers are increasingly proposing projects using containers. Amsterdam City Hall even built a student city of sixty dwellings built solely from containers! A project taken over in France by the city of Le Havre.
So we are seeing a real change in mentalities. For a long time, containers were considered unsightly, reminiscent of the ports where they pile up and sometimes degrade. But today, containers have become a trend because architects and self-builders have proven that they can be used to build splendid houses. And this in record time: about two to three months, against nearly a year for a traditional house. This is actually quite logical, since the shell work is limited to cutting and assembling the caissons.
If containers are becoming more and more attractive, it is also because they are more and more in demand for quality: they can be modulated as desired. Future owners can give free rein to their imagination and design (or have designed!) a home that perfectly meets their needs. If the latter evolve, they can easily extend their house.
Another advantage that is highly appreciated in the current economic climate is the price. Depending on size and condition, a container costs between 1500 and 4000€. Even if we have to add the cost of transportation, we are well below conventional construction work. Then there’s the whole interior design. Count between 1200 and 1500€ the square meter to respect all the standards. Except purchase of the ground, a house container of 60 to 80 m² will cost approximately 100 000€. But it is possible to reduce costs by doing some of the work yourself.
The last advantage: no need for container maintenance, even over the long term. Because they are made of Corten steel, one of the strongest in the world but also among the best treated against rust.
As with any type of home, however, there are a few constraints to consider before embarking on a container house project. First of all, the insulation work will be important so that the dwelling is comfortable and complies with the RT2012 standard. The main challenge will be to make the house pleasant in summer, as the container tends to retain heat.
Another constraint to keep in mind: dimensions. And especially the width! Because a conventional container is only 2.3 m wide, which is something to keep in mind from design to installation. As in the case of a Tiny house, it will be necessary to trick to optimize the space and make it as functional as pleasant to live.
Last but not least: aestheticism. If you choose a container house, you like the industrial design. But not everyone does! It is therefore necessary to obtain prior information from your municipality to be sure to obtain a building permit. It is essential to consult the local urban plan (PLU) and the obligations which are registered there as regards facade, roof, etc. If the PLU of the town imposes a certain type of façade, it is still possible to adapt them by dressing them in wood, stone or plaster. The roof is often covered with solar panels or vegetated.
Finally, we must always pay attention to the origin of the container, which may have been used to transport harmful products and may have been badly decontaminated. It will therefore be necessary to go through a specialized company to be sure to make the right choice.
Setting up a container in a house is also a gesture for the planet. Because, apart from their reuse in the construction sector, there is currently no way to recycle them. It is therefore a question of offering a second life to containers that are piling up in ports, particularly in Africa. And thus to clean up the areas that have become veritable cemeteries of maritime trade.
When you have a limited amount of space, you may be thinking about how to build a tiny house in a container. This is an option that you might want to look into if your home is too small for building on your own. You can also use this option if you want to buy […]
