The container trend has reached offices

Houses made of wood are becoming increasingly popular. containers maritime: they are prefabricated homes, customizable, economical, ecological, quick to build and very resistant.

And like everything that works in the residential area It almost immediately passes into work spaces, we already find many offices where they have incorporated, in different ways, containers into their projects.

La reuse of the marine containers In interior architecture it is increasingly common as it is one of the most popular proposals. ecological that exist on the market. By giving a second life to a maritime container, emissions from the construction process are reduced, although you can choose to buy new containers.

La metallic structure The quality of a shipping container is very strong and durable. Containers travel thousands of kilometres by sea, exposed to the elements and with tons of weight inside, which demonstrates the robustness of these products and their long lifespan.

In addition to the reduction of carbon footprint, another benefit is that reduces construction time of the project. And if the decision is made to move the office, the container can be easily moved to the new location.

However, not all activities fit into the incorporation of containers in their projects. Normally we find them in large industrial spaces, warehouses or factories, which allow their placement, almost always stacked and occupying different levels. Companies usually have very diverse profiles, from technology, industrial or pharmaceutical brands, to communication and audiovisual agencies, coworking spaces, etc.

We show you three companies who have chosen to incorporate containers into their projects, and their goals and motivation.

The Cramer studies They are located in a 21.000-square-foot converted warehouse the company purchased 2 years ago in Norwood, Massachusetts. Initially, they shared space with other tenants, but as they grew, they expanded their presence in the building until they occupied the entire building. The result was an environment that functioned in isolated and often disconnected “neighborhoods.”

Cramer trusted the SMMA study to revitalize the warehouse aesthetic while also reimagining the way they used their space to work, collaborate with clients, and host industry events and meetings within their studios. Additionally, as an agency that offers experiential marketing services, such as events and brand activations, Cramer wanted to incorporate the materials and products they use for their clients' projects into the renovation. Proof of this is the use of company containers Loki Boxes Design, which now serve as conference rooms and meeting spaces.

“So when a potential client walks into the studio, the first thing they notice is the unique way our agency works,” says Brent Turner, senior vice president of solutions at Cramer. “From how we work to how we operate, design the space “From the way it is used – spaces for concentration, work or meetings – to how it is aesthetically designed, the textures, the materials, the lighting, or how it is designed for each activity – the movement of people, the technological integrations, the conversations that take place – the space is remarkably different from any place you have been before.” Photos: Gustav Hoiland

The Coworking is the name of these 2.500 m2 offices, located in the Zuidpark business complex in Amsterdam, designed by Graziosi Progetti.

It features different work configurations, such as informal seating areas, shared tables, private conference spaces and private work areas. In total, there are 80 workstations, seven meeting rooms and about 800 m2 of common areas. Several were included containers transport systems that provide an industrial style, while acting as offices and area dividers.

Being located in an old center of maritime distribution, The industrial loading dock look of the space was maintained. The containers and transformed into sophisticated, air-conditioned office spaces. To create meeting rooms, the containers were simply joined together.

The characteristic tilting doors were replaced by glass or oak frames. The atmosphere of the space was softened by the use of epoxy floors and wooden stairs. As a finishing touch, the entire space was opened up, releasing daylight against the back wall and mirror-covered columns, creating beautiful views of the building.

The Pallotta TeamWorks commissioned the studio Clive Wilkinson Architects the design of its offices in a Los Angeles warehouse in 2002. The “tilt-up” warehouse (so called because the walls are built flat and then raised vertically) of 14.000 square meters, completely empty, was located in the Atwater Village area.

The company had a budget of 2 million dollars, which is about $40 per square meter, to do the project. The usual price of a project of this type was $80 per square meter, at least. The budget was not even enough to air-condition the space, so they had to resort to creativityThe limitations ultimately gave rise to an extraordinary design exercise.

Building materials would not include marble or mahogany, but untreated raw wood, shipping containers and tents. The interior of the office would end up resembling the exterior of Pallotta TeamWorks' own events.

As there was not enough budget to air-condition the entire space, they were created Seven tent villages or “breathing islands” inside the warehouse (one for each of the marketing, sales, logistics, creative, event management departments, among others). The huge white tents retained the air inside each space and were anchored to the ground by shipping containers, painted in body colors, which served as executive offices.

The project generated considerable saving energy efficient compared to conventional office buildings, and reinforced the client's message to promote responsible and sustainable ways to live on this planet.

El American Institute of Architecture, which awarded the building one of its 2002 design prizes, offered the following description:

“Clive Wilkinson Architects created a dynamic working environment in a warehouse despite the low construction budget. The mechanical and electrical systems were designed to reduce future spending on cooling, heating and lighting. Skylights maximize natural lighting, and air conditioning is limited to areas where staff spend most of their time. “working neighborhoods”, formed by tents and containers transport, minimizing the volume of air conditioning needed. The jury appreciated the visual richness of the project and the preservation of the environment, referring to the office space as “a true Californian concept: recycling and sustainability at its best”, using the containers “both for their conservation and as important design elements.”

Photos Benny Chan via OfficeSnapShot