Another Fascinating Re-Use of Cargo Containers

Cargotecture continues to redefine what architects use for building materials.  Housers has written about cargotecture before, but today I would like to look at a three-story building in Vermont that taps some creative design to take advantage of discarded shipping containers.  Check it out, below:

Kalkin House, built with three cargo containers, in Shelburne, Vermont

This is a very inspiring way to re-purpose one of the artifacts of the global age.

It also appears to be a very enjoyable space that takes advantage of natural light and fresh air.

The Kalkin house is used as a gallery for artistic exhibitions. However, cargotecture is hardly limited to this kind of use.  Many of its applications focus on the “Small House.”

Some firms are both design and build, others only provide clients with a set of plans to make their own tiny house.

I personally like the designs that use a sliding door.  This seems like an incredibly simple concept and something that should be used more often.

I suppose the market is divided up into several subgroups.  One obvious use is for a very low-cost home that goes on a piece of land used as a destination for weekends or short vacations.  The steel is relatively low-maintenance, which should be attractive, and its also probably pretty secure, in case you aren’t going to be around to look out for your property.  Another group, probably the largest, is people seeking to find housing with a lower carbon footprint.

People are talking about small house issues here.