Shipping containers are quite versatile in their uses. These steel boxes are durable, weather resistant, mold and pest resistant, intact they are theft resistant, and they come in varying lengths to accommodate different cargos which lends itself quite nicely when recycling these sweet steel building blocks.
Sure, shipping container houses are all the rage lately, and why not? The designs that have surfaced take home architecture to new heights in function and elegance. From the simple weekend getaway cottage next to the lazy river in the woods, to the multi-family ultra-modern high-rise complex in a metropolis, these boxes are adaptable to nearly any and every climate and setting. From urban to suburban and rural homes, the innovative plans available for shipping container homes are astounding in their function and form. But is there any other use for a surplus shipping box?
How about government use? We are all looking for ways to save money and the government should be no different- what about using surplus shipping boxes for military use? The standardization of the boxes is perfect for many applications such as:
Portable toilets for training sites or disaster sites.Portable showers for large groups at trainer or disaster sites.Portable command posts and temporary offices during emergencies or natural disasters.Portable or temporary kitchens for training, terror, or disaster sites.Underground and portable emergency shelters.
These are just a few possibilities for government uses of these resources, but what about private or business uses? Is housing the only way to recycle a Cor-ten Steel box? The applications for volunteer projects alone are astounding. Here are some other possibilities for personal or business uses:
A potting shedWith a few modifications, a greenhouse for multi-season cropsPersonal emergency shelter and emergency supply storage.Bulk grain storageTemporary office buildingsBuilding project bathroom facilitiesPortable On-site storage for machinery and toolsA small dinerA coffee shopA store frontWarehouse for small business inventoryArtist's studioBuilders workshopCommunity Food pantryBarn for livestockHomeless shelterHomeless soup kitchenHomeless emergency medical station
As you can see cargo containers have plenty of potential.
Several containers might make a nice sized Community Center or after school haven for young people
The list is as endless as the imaginations of the people prepared to reuse these oversized building blocks. With a little motivation, creativity, and inspiration money, time, and resources could be saved and businesses and communities grown.
Nicholas Kemp loves the outdoors and believes it is everyone's responsibility to protect the environment with sustainable living. If you found this article helpful and would like to learn more about shipping container homes please visit http://cargocontainerhomes.net/