New Residential Building Made Of 140 Reclaimed Shipping Containers

After a period of experimenting with shipping containers and using them to create all sorts of cozy retreats, cabins and other small structures, architects are now starting to also take on large-scale projects involving reclaimed containers. An example is this residential building located in downtown Johannesburg, in South Africa. The project was developed by studio LOT-EK in 2017. The building is six-stories high, situated on a triangular site and was built out of 140 reclaimed shipping containers.

The units are organized into two section with triangular courtyards in between. One section has green modules and the other has blue ones. The containers have seen purposely selected to feature these two colors, thus requiring no re-painting and giving the container homes and the building a genuine, authentic look.

The unusual shipping container building serves among other things to revitalize the downtown area of Johannesburg
The unusual shipping container building serves among other things to revitalize the downtown area of Johannesburg
The symmetrical pattern across the facade is eye-catching and gives the building an edgy and unconventional look
The symmetrical pattern across the facade is eye-catching and gives the building an edgy and unconventional look
Angular cut-outs into the facade open up the retail spaces situated on the ground floor
Angular cut-outs into the facade open up the retail spaces situated on the ground floor
The building stands out, its design and overall structure and its very nature contrasting with the surrounding buildings and architecture
The building stands out, its design and overall structure and its very nature contrasting with the surrounding buildings and architecture

The building’s ground floor is a multi-purpose zone which includes residential units at the rear, retail spaces along the side of the road and a courtyard and shipping container pool in between. The six stories above that contain apartments ranging from 300 to 600 square feet, each with access to balconies and each featuring angular windows that form chevron patterns across the building’s facades. Slanted cut-outs on the ground floor complete the pattern.

The apartment units are organized into two big sections and you can navigate between them via an open-air corridor
The apartment units are organized into two big sections and you can navigate between them via an open-air corridor
The two sections form a courtyard with a swimming pool, this area being a communal space for all residents
The two sections form a courtyard with a swimming pool, this area being a communal space for all residents
The apartment units range in size from 300 to 600 square feet and share similar interior designs
The apartment units range in size from 300 to 600 square feet and share similar interior designs
The apartment units have access to both private and communal balconies and spaces
The apartment units have access to both private and communal balconies and spaces
A strong industrial vibe defines the entire building and all the features in it
A strong industrial vibe defines the entire building and all the features in it
The interiors of the units are simple, featuring reclaimed wood floors and painted metal ceilings
The interiors of the units are simple, featuring reclaimed wood floors and painted metal ceilings
The apartment units have open plan layouts with large, angular windows, reclaimed wood floors and crisp white walls
The apartment units have open plan layouts with large, angular windows, reclaimed wood floors and crisp white walls
The strong industrial appearance of the building's exterior is not entirely reflected into the interior design of the units
The strong industrial appearance of the building’s exterior is not entirely reflected into the interior design of the units
This shipping container residential buildings helps to revitalize and repopulate the city's downtown area
This shipping container residential buildings helps to revitalize and repopulate the city’s downtown area
The triangular shape of the site had a big impact on the overall design and structure of this building
The triangular shape of the site had a big impact on the overall design and structure of this building
In total the building was built using 140 shipping containers selected in two specific colors: green and blue
In total the building was built using 140 shipping containers selected in two specific colors: green and blue
The building has quickly become a local landmark thanks to its unusual design
The building has quickly become a local landmark thanks to its unusual design
Green and blue reclaimed shipping containers are stacked forming six residential floors and a multi-purpose ground level
Green and blue reclaimed shipping containers are stacked forming six residential floors and a multi-purpose ground level
The building's name is Drivelines Studio and can be seen on the side of the blue unit section
The building’s name is Drivelines Studio and can be seen on the side of the blue unit section
The angular cuts and slanted windows give the building a dynamic and exciting look
The angular cuts and slanted windows give the building a dynamic and exciting look