Humble Designs containerbay There is growing interest in the use of shipping containers as the basis for habitable structures. These "icons of globalization" are relatively inexpensive, structurally sound and in abundant supply. Although, in raw form, containers are dark windowless boxes (which might place them at odds with some of the tenets of modernist design...) they can be highly customizable modular elements of a larger structure. The projects below are sorted alphabetically (by company or designer's name). Selected projects utilizing shipping containers. Info credits: Zack Smith, Kevin Tze King Ho. Back to top of page Useful linksIf you have any relevant links let us know Container Sources Shipping containers are widely available - here are just a few of the many sources: Allied Container Products Antioch, California Seabox East Riverton, New Jersey Factory Containers Direct - Inventory available in multiple locations- see web site. Technical Resources Books
The Fab Lab House wins Solar Decathlon Europe people’s choice award « FabLab House The Fab Lab House wins Solar Decathlon Europe people’s choice award More than 20,000 people have visited the most popular solar house in Madrid, produced by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). IAAC announced that will apply in the next edition of Solar Decathlon Europe in 2012. Prince Felipe said it looked like a boat but the spectacular house produced by Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia was also called “peanut house” “cinnamon submarine,” “forest zeppelin” or “whale belly” . The queues to visit the house have greatly surprised the team of the Fab Lab House during the ten days of competition: more than 20,000 people have visited the solar house. “The competition has been a great way to push the spirit of innovation in the field of architecture and construction in these times of crisis. Guallart also announces that the IAAC, along with its technology partners, will apply again at the next European contest edition. Fotos Adrià Goula
Utopia 6 floor assembly and progress laundry utopia done for the day pulping for hybridobe more.... pulped paper waste from the Bemis nice. adding local clay and straw test bricks another fine solar cooked meal a groundhog with whom I share my small plot 'night all Windows and Vertical found PVC for windows wrapped bales for a storm Higher and higher spiking in the windows pounding down the bales the last bale Neighbors help with the roof bearing assembly Cutting found bamboo for the roof my bread recipe Solar baked bread, hard-boiled egg a-la-sol, and beans chicken wire Mudding the roof bamboo slats My hybridobe mix 40% paper pulp, 40% clay, 15% cement, 5% straw Metal Work putting up the roof storage and chicken coop photo cred. I found this very angry cement mixer to help with large batch hybridobe see the film
Help in a Hurry: Disaster-Relief Container Homes for Japan Abstract designs and architectural theory are well and good, but when the stuff hits the fan (or tsunami hits the land, as it were) these notions are put to the test in a very rapid and real way. The result shows who is ready to roll out workable housing solutions to address catastrophes as they unfold – like ultra portable shipping container homes. Continue reading below Our Featured Videos The Ex-Container project is a joint effort to address the displaced populations following widespread earthquake and tsunami devastation still unfolding in Japan. Containers are of a size that offer a flexible framework in terms of location, transportation and domestic application – they are versatile-but-stable enough to make for makeshift residences, semi-temporary homes or long-term dwellings (or hotel complexes) depending on demand. Newsletter Sign Up Get the latest design news! Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest design news. Thanks for subscribing! More from the architects
stovesite StoveLab is a collaborative experiment with foundation students at the Massachusetts College of Art exploring the potentials of high-efficiency stoves and the production of biomass fuels. This two-week project provided a unique and often chaotic approach to the concept of art and cultural production, our potential response to extended emergency situations, and the ecological use of sustainable fuels. The goal for StoveLab was to collaboratively design, produce, and test a variety of handmade stoves. Using limited materials, resources, time, and tools; this group of mainly freshmen students researched and produced a variety of stoves, but mainly focused on the ‘rocket stove.’ As a collaborative experiment, the entire group was responsible for the entire production of this exhibition. Final Design Variation on the 16 brick stove Mixing terracotta and sawdust, 2:1 ratio the mix to make lightweight refractory bricks Consult with the ceramics tech and filling brick forms Tools needed:
Green Prefab Shed Homes: Small Space Living by Design Continue reading below Our Featured Videos Sheds do not sound like something you would want to live in, but as modern modular, mobile and miniature houses become increasingly popular sustainable living space options, well, even products dubbed with titles like the Big Shed and Little Shed is not such a bad idea. There is an art to designing smalls-space structures so they are convenient and compact but also comfortable and livable – and a certain lifestyle of simplicity sought by many that makes them a good match for some people.Plus, these designs by Dwelle are relatively affordable as home prices go: you can buy ones of these all-in-one buildings (and not worry about the hassles of construction) for between fifty and eighty thousand dollars. Newsletter Sign Up Get the latest design news! Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest design news. Thanks for subscribing!
U7K55 As part of the documentation process of this project, we have been collecting the assorted questions asked by guests to U7K55. This is an abridged and edited list of questions posed to me on the public Thin Soup Nites. Are you the artist? Did you use boullion? Would you add anything to the soup? Would you be picky? How did you get inside the structure? May I come in? Is this part of the show? Are you cooking on solar? To what does the name of the piece refer? What have people offered in trade? How did you learn construction techniques? What does the stove run off? How are the lights powered? Are you an Artadia winner? What kind of chocolate is in the bars of chocolate? Where is the greenhouse? Do you travel with the structure? Does it travel? Was the kiosk in antarctica? Is it shelter? Do you live in it? What was your last project? Did you make the soap (referring the beeswax)? Did you make the chocolate? Are you a Boston-based artist? Do you sell wine? Are you a commercial arm of the gallery? See you there!