Container Houses - DONGAN

Container houses appeared in the 1980s and represent a relatively new concept in housing.

With the development of international trade, a large number of shipping containers emerged. However, after being decommissioned, recycling and disposing of these containers became a societal challenge. Some designers tried to transform used containers into houses, and thus container house came into existence.

Characteristics of Container Houses

It is reasonably feasible to renovate houses based on shipping containers. Firstly, containers have a sturdy structure. Even the smallest container can carry over 20 tons of cargo under extreme conditions, providing basic structural strength for a house. Secondly, containers have ample internal space, which can meet basic living needs. Thirdly, they are highly flexible. Designers can stack multiple containers like building blocks to create multi-room structures.

Fourthly, containers offer good cost performance. Used containers are relatively inexpensive, and once the interior is renovated, they can be inhabited. Therefore, container house involves lower economic and time costs and can be reused.

As a result, container house has been welcomed by the market. These characteristics also make them the preferred choice for temporary residences, such as construction site accommodations.

Requirements for Modifying Container Houses

Although container houses have many advantages, their construction process involves several requirements.

For example, during structural modification, engineers need to carefully calculate the size and position of cut-outs to prevent compromising the container’s structural safety when adding doors and windows.

Additionally, proper thermal insulation and moisture-proof measures need to be applied inside the container. Containers are mostly made of steel and have high thermal conductivity. To ensure a suitable living temperature, an insulation layer must be installed inside to maintain a relatively stable indoor temperature.

Moreover, to protect the house from wind and rain damage, the house must be treated for sealed moisture and waterproofing.