What happens to ship containers once they are discarded? Are they sold as scrap or thrown away in the open? Well, to your amusement, they are converted into a house. Don’t trust me? Then read ahead. Located in Louisiana, and made out of refurbished and FSC-approved wood plus four shipping containers [(1) 8’ x 40’ + (3) 8’ x 20’], Entry 7455 exemplifies how to conserve the deteriorating environment. Exclusively designed for the USGBC 2010 Natural Talent Design Competition, the home acts as a stable haven putting disused shipping containers to their best advantage.
The shipping containers have to tolerate the blows of harsh weather in seas, so they can conveniently act as roof when tragedies like a hurricane strikes. Born to withstand forceful winds whistling through the trees, such containers do a perfect job when it comes to sheltering. Its flooring, finishes and casework are made from LEED-certified resources.
Accompanying the whole arrangement are solar systems mounted on an elevated roof. High butterfly roofs let the hurricane winds pass without causing much damage. To take full advantage of the indoor/outdoor living space, containers open up with flat rolling entrance. A facility to collect rainwater makes sure that not even a drop of the precious liquid is wasted. Easily collected in the butterfly shaped roof, it escalates on the list of saving the environment further. Adding to this list are solar panels which have been fitted to accumulate solar energy along with a solar water heating system.
To avoid any kind of adversity, hurricane-proof windows are fixed with rolling metal doors that envelop all the windowpanes. An enormous roof switches into a trellis and pulls out over the outdoor living area. Such a system adds privacy and grants solar shading which in turn makes the outer living area cooler. A neatly placed dining area on the front porch will make meals all the more enjoyable. With an ability to adapt in almost any kind of environment. This home will keep you sheltered, that too the recycled way!
