Avelina Sanchez

Carlisle

Architecture

29 April 2020

Collect Info

Try This

● Start the project by analyzing what you already know about container architecture and

container housing (from previous research)

Container housing is an alternate housing choice that has many advantages, but also some

disadvantages. The containers are easily shipped and can be easily stacked and combined,

in order to build a larger house. However, as these are shipping containers, and not meant

for human habitation, they are not good in places with certain weather variations, as they

don’t have insulation, and since the use of steel is not common in residential structures,

getting the building permits might be difficult. In addition, the container may have had

cargo spillages, been treated with insecticides, been damaged, or have paint and sealants

that release solvents, all of which are dangerous to humans.

● Make a list of the features you want this home to have. What is important? Remember,

you only have up to 4 containers. Is living space most important, or the number and size

of bedrooms?
 I want this home to have a living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. I think the

living space is the most important because a larger living space with smaller bedrooms

could make the home look larger. Also, I don’t think there will be that many people

living in the home since the containers are pretty small, so there won’t be a need for a lot

of bedrooms or bathrooms.

● Consider the size of your site. There may only be a certain way the shipping containers

can fit on the site, so try a few different combinations of the containers, including putting

them in multiple levels. You can use the same lot we were planning to use for your

“small lots big ideas” project. Information is on class web site. If you are using the lot

from this project, include all information that you previously gather about the site.

This site is 17 feet across, with a depth of 100 feet, and the lot is approximately 1,665

square feet. It is surrounded by brownstones, and located in Manhattan, New York, on

113 west 136th street. The containers would probably fit with two on ground level, and

two stacked on top, with room for a backyard.

● Research shipping container architecture to see how others have repurposed shipping

containers into buildings.

https://www.archdaily.com/440170/low-cost-house-jya-rchitects/

These architects connected the house to the outdoors to make it larger, which I found

interesting.
Think About

● How many people will be living in this home? What are their ages and genders? What do

they do? How much space does each person need? What kinds of living spaces will this

family need? How many bedrooms and bathrooms?

I think that at most, a family of 6 could live in this home, since it will be a single family

home. They could be of any gender, and adults with young kids or teens would probably

live in this home. Each person needs a good amount of space, since the home will be

about 1,280 square feet. This family would need a living room, kitchen, bedrooms,

bathrooms, and a backyard. This home would probably have two to three bedrooms, and

one to one and a half bathrooms.

● Where is the site for this container house? What makes this site unique? Is it narrow?

Square? This will dictate how you can configure multiple containers.

This site is in Manhattan, New York, at 113 West 136th Street. This site is unique

because it is very narrow, but also very long, so it has a good amount of space to fit the

containers very well, with room for a backyard. The site is also unique because it is

surrounded by brownstones, so a small home without a lot of floors could fit the area.

● What necessities will you need to add to make this space livable? For example, you will

need to add plumbing, electricity, and insulation. What else is needed?

Plumbing, electricity, and insulation are definitely needed, but also a foundation, air

conditioning, heating, and hot water is needed. In addition, a roof, windows, a door,
 floors, and paint are needed. The containers should also be abrasive blasted and removed

of its floors that it already has, before the building begins.

● How will the outdoor space be used?

There will be a lot of outdoor space to use for a backyard.