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The reuse of shipping containers is becoming a rather trendy thing. There are many projects for the 3rd world, and many design/architecture projects for the 1st
by 205guy 13y ago
The reuse of shipping containers is becoming a rather trendy thing. There are many projects for the 3rd world, and many design/architecture projects for the 1st world. I don't think containers make good building materials, for many reasons not worth listing here. One additional critique is that the reasons for taking a container out of circulation (damage, corrosion, pollution) are exaclty the reasons you wouldn't want them for construction. So for construction, you have to buy a working container (especially if you want to ship it as a kitchen to the 3rd world), so building with containers is not recycling but more like buying an alternative construction material.
Also, I wonder how good it is for local cultures to have religious organizations parachute food and foreign religion into their communities. That whole "teach a person to fish..." thing.
- socalnate1 13y agoCouple more details on the points you brought up: 1) I think they buy used (not decommissioned) containers for the reasons you specified. So it is more like an alternative building material rather than true recycling. The biggest advantage is standardization and speed to launch so they can replicate in many places that don't have local materials available (i.e. Haiti) or where a local construction project from scratch would be nearly impossible to get off the ground. 2) The kitchens actually resell their food for very cheap to local ministries and non profits and is run by locals. (Volume/standardization = much cheaper food). So, self sustainability is built into their model. The South African kitchen is run and supported 100% by the community at this point.