container based prefab?

[carl]

hi all,

there are several message boards on using containers for housing and they more or less come up with the same issues.

would it be more practical to use the container type twist lock and frame system to create a modular build system? this would address the engineering issues once and for all and would even allow for more flexibility

if you buy a container, and you want to make a bigger structure, cut out walls etc, you'r buying more than you need (even second hand). so instead of modifying we should be specifying. by doing so we can even economize on the container base case

the next problem would then be to find a company  willing to cater to this.

perhaps we need to set up a collaborative to commission such a task

carl

[Bob_Sheaves]

Hi carl,

Before you go and do such a thing, you might want to look at the ISO specifications for containers-there are open top containers, frame only, "floor" and ends only, and other configurations. I'd recommend you learn what is available before starting out trying to specify something special...

Best regards,

Bob Sheaves

[dcross]

I would have to agree with Bob.  We are building a 4 container house here in South Carolina right now.  Just set 4 x 40  on the foundation today.

Twistlocks are good, cheap, etc.. create voids that have value.  But they also lend themselves to classifying the house as portable hence different viewpoints from Mortage lenders as well as insurance providers.  Our system converts the 40's from Cargo containers into Steel Building Units and we our currently promoting welding.  

As for purpose building the container there are numerous choices available and purpose building domestically will not yield the $/sq ft robust structure that we get from modifying.  If you purpose build off shore, add in the freight and your still back to square one cost wise.

David

[eamesdaedelus]

david,

You got any pics of what you are working on? If not a discription of how the units go together and what mods are required would be very interesting to many of us here. I for one would like to know how you chose to solve the inevitable issues of thermal insulation, thermal bridging, adequate sizes for space, running of utilities (especially HVAC).

I wholeheartedly agree with you on the merits of using the available stock of containers and modifying them for each project. I too am working on a sytsem converting containers into "Steel Building Units" (nice nomenclature). Are you creating a set of units that can be combined in multiple configs to get the right program? Like having the service spaces in one container and the bedrooms etc in others? Details, we want details!

Thanks and good luck,
Mark Meyer

[fabadmin]

...We are building a 4 container house here in South Carolina right now.  Just set 4 x 40  on the foundation today...

David I'd be happy to host any pics or drawings of your project in Containerbay at fabprefab if you want to forward anything.
There are lots of curious container freaks!

To send me files either use the project submit form on the contactfab page or email me at (this email address is a graphic - not a link. I'm trying to keep the web crawlers away...)

[carl]

thanks for the input guys,

let me elaborate a little bit more- as far as ISO specs and containers go -here in Rotterdam there are myriad permutations on the shipping container theme used in the port. (7 million teu/year)

i still want to use the basic container frame, but in a more handy size, say 10'x10'x20' this gives it a bit more head room and working width (i know high cubes are 9'6")

also, as mentioned before, iso standard containers are far from standard, they are standard within production series and buyers like Hyundai or Hanjin.
especially the widths can vary significantly, somewhere between 2.30 and 2.5 metres (sorry for the metrics) so providing off the shelf clamp ons would be a problem

byproviding off the shelf lock in or weld down units like walls, sliding door units, entry door, roofs, floors, by locking them in on the outside, instead of the inside, you would gain a prefab=engineered system. so no DIY trying it out, and would conform to regulations.

i appreciate the comment on using standard containers off course, they are available and cheap around here, with inbalanced trade and all. probably it will end up in a compromise

[fabadmin]

Thanks to David for sending some construction pics from his project.

David reports: We set these 4 yesterday (Mon 26 July) on the foundation where they are welded to embedded metal plates in the foundation. It took 2 hours and 20 minutes to lift, align, set, weld down the 4 SBUs' (Steel Building Unit "Containers carry cargo but once its modified to be a powerbox, shelter, house, clinic, etc... I maintain it is a steel building unit.)

David has also noted this is a traditional house design - not a modernist one. (Note the roof trusses in one of the pics).
Thanks again for sharing the images.

Image 1:


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Image 5:

[awat19]

Following a grueling few months of New York City filing drawings for a townhouse in the West Village, my employer has given me the treat to begin research for our next project ? a prefab project in the Hudson River Valley.  

Our clients, friends of the firm, have requested a home constructed from metal parts delivered to the site ? ready to go.  Shipping containers are a possible solution.  Do you have any advice on where to begin?  Which suppliers/modifiers have you had a positive experience with?  

Perhaps the following programatic details of our project may help?.

Site Location:  

Germantown, NY (Hudson River Valley) Several rolling acres near to the Hudson River.

Program Requirements:

2-Story, 1500 Sf home

$200-250,000 budget

2-3 Bedrooms

Great Room (combined Kitchen, dining, Living)

+

One Car Garage/Workshop also 1500 Sf

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.  

 
Adam.  adam@peixandmarchetti.com

[bethg1]

I drop by once in a while and am interested in seeing any additional photos or updates from David on his house.  I am considering building with "sbu's" and would like to know more about how he is insulating his house.  If this has been covered, my apologies.

[fabadmin]

Here is a pic of David's finished container-based house.  Thanks for keeping us posted David.



David also posted the message below on this project in another thread. Admin

Another container project complete. 1280 sq ft 3 BR, 4 x 40' to do it. As always the first one is more expensive than the next. I will ask the administrator if he can post the photo (I can't figure it out).

Our goal was to meet or exceed codification, not bypass it, but still meet other codes (CSC) so that we could still ship it internationally.

Starting on the 2 story narrow lot one next month. Its amazing what alittle putty, paint, and a bucket of money can accomplish. Please do not hammer me on arch, my entire lifes work has been in intermodal/containerization.
_________________
David