The convenience and affordability of shipping container use for architectural projects are strongly exemplified in this inclusive list that boasts 37 examples of innovative business opportunities and residential dwellings. From retail spaces and compact housing units to quaint cafe establishments and staffless gym facilities, the shipping container use within the industry has been utilized to the heights of creative thought.
The appeal of the upcycled material is generated by a few features. For one, the prefabricated quality of the containers allows developers to cut costs and enjoy an efficient installment of the facility. Secondly, the modular aesthetic and high flexibility rates allow the structure to adapt to various uses. Thirdly, the overall compact design causes the shipping container to seamlessly fit the plot of even the most limited of sites.
37 Architectural Shipping Container Uses
37
Tiny House Hotel Suites
The Flophouze Hotel Features Rooms Made from Recycled Shipping Containers
36
Deliverable Pre-Fab Homes
MODS International Partnered with Amazon to Offer Pre-Fab Homes Online
35
Shipping Container Offices
Bogotá's Globant Office Features Quirky Design Elements
34
Upcycled Sports Centers
The Halsskov Water Sports Center Uses Upcycled Goods to Create Fun Spaces
33
Two-Story Shipping Container Cafes
The Spout Coffee Company is Made Up of Two Shipping Containers
32
Low-Cost Start-Up Hubs
Julius Taminiau & Carl Turner Architects Made a Shipping Container Village
31
Affordable Shipping Container Apartments
Tempohousing Nigeria Repurposes Old Shipping Containers
30
Shipping Container Suites
'Poshtel' Pop-Ups Will Be Available for Rent Through Airbnb
29
Mobile Shipping Container Boutiques
The Garnet Hill Shop is Housed in an Old Shipping Container
28
Artistic Shipping Container Cafes
The Shreebs Popup Cafe Features a Graffiti-Clad Store Front
27
Shipping Container Backyard Bars
The Honomobar is a Small Bar That Can Be Built in Four Weeks
26
Shipping Container Hotels
Studio Edwards Uses a Trio of Containers for Weekend Getaways
25
Shipping Container Developments
LA is Developing 84 Units of Affordable Housing
24
Shipping Container Taco Shops
Taco Bell Has Opened Its First Permanent Shipping Container Outpost
23
Staffless Gym Start-Ups
China's 'Supermonkey' Lets Gym-Goers Access a Workout Pod Via Their Phone
22
Shipping Container Classrooms
Mb Architecture Created a Shipping Container Structure for a College
21
Upcycled Shipping Container Pools
Modpools Makes Above-Ground Pools and Jacuzzis
20
Millennial Pink Paper Shops
Papersmiths Shoreditch Occupies a Shipping Container at Boxcar Park
19
Futuristic Container Homes
This Joshua Tree Residence is Made Out of Multiple Shipping Containers
18
Crop-Growing Shipping Containers
Freight Farm Grows the Equivalent of Two Acres of Farm Land
17
Shipping Container-Themed Retailers
The Kagiso Store Features a Casual, Rustic Wooden Aesthetic
16
Pop-Up Sandal Shops
The Pop-Up Birkenstock Store is Located Inside a Shipping Container
15
Shipping Container Athletic Stores
The Nike Pop-Up in Rio Was Created with an Industrial Aesthetic
14
Shipping Container Cinemas
Scott Whitby Studio Used 1,000 Foam Pyramids to Make the Caution Cinema
13
Portable Sunglasses Boutiques
The Grove’s Ray Ban Popup Resembles a Revamped Shipping Container
12
Stacked Affordable Housing Solutions
Containerwerk Uses Containers for a Cost-Effective Initiative
11
Shipping Container Coffee Shops
Container Coffee Dublin Offers Caffeine from an Unique Source
10
Shipping Container Nightclubs
Rabih Geha Architects Created a Dark Nightclub in Beirut
9
Modern Shipping Container Abodes
The Wye River Container House is a Luxe Tiny Living Option
8
Triangular Shipping Container Cafes
Triangular Sky Cafe is Built from Recycled Materials
7
Robotic Public Spaces
The MacArthur Annex is Built Out of Used Shipping Containers
6
Repurposed Garden Offices
Architect Created Industrial Garden Offices from Shipping Containers
5
Dump Truck-Inspired Homes
Budi Pradono's 'Clay House' is Topped With a Titled Shipping Container
4
Dedicated Avocado Museums
'The Cado' is a Pop-Up Museum Solely Dedicated to California Avocados
3
Mobile Sportswear Boutiques
Needs & Wants Studios Refurbished a Shipping Container to Sell Apparel
2
Shipping Container Stadiums
The Ras Abu Aboud Stadium Can Be Taken Apart After the Match
1
Pitch-Black Theatrical Performances
The Plays by 'Darkfield' Unfold in Rooms without Light
Related Ideas
Japanese-Inspired Portable Tiny Homes
Baluchon Designs the Portable Bonzai Tiny Home
Compact Cozy Light-Filled Homes
Baluchon Designs Leïla’s Tiny House Filled with Natural Light
Sustainable Lightweight Cat Toys
A Team of Designers Create the Pet-Friendly Cat Box
Terrace-Accented Timber Tiny Houses
The P’tit Nid Mobile Tiny Home is Clad in Natural Wood
Nest-Inspired Urban Houses
This Vietnamese Dwelling Offers Respite From the Concrete Jungle
Pink-Hued Shipping Container Homes
These Pink Shipping Container Homes by Ishita Ganguly are Chic
Modular Decor Shelving Systems
The halblang 'Blendend' Shelving System is Adaptable
Tailor-Made Van Camping Systems
The 'CampBoks' Camping Box Elevates Van Living
Cat-Centric Compact Homes
This Japanese Dwelling Embraces Feline-Friendly Design Choices
Utilitarian Cargo-Hauling Scooters
The 'Scootility' Electric Scooter Offers Ample Storage Space
Laptop-Stowing Portable Desks
The Conceptual 'LAPCASE' Transforms to Support Working from Anywhere
Shipping Container Tiny Homes
UnContained Dreams Designs the Rising Sun Tiny Home
Fold-Out Boxed Housing
CMAX Systems is Raising Funds to Develop Foldable Housing Solutions
Plant-Based Cabin Constructions
Moontower Design Build Creates the Cross Cabin in Austin
Salvaged Timber Furniture Capsule
Gini Moynier Introduces the Formwork Collection of Furniture
Multifunctional Beverage Carriers
The Conceptual 'ThermoBag' Drink Carrier is All-in-One
Origami-Inspired Sleek Cabins
A.L.P.S. Designs the Infinity Mobile Architecture System
Accordion-Style Coffee Cups
The Accordion Paper Cup Concept is Easy to Carry
TV Packaging Seating Solutions
The 'Cuna' Furniture by Valeria Coello is Made Out of Cardboard
Storage-Packed Compact Homes
Modern Tiny Living Designed the 20-Feet Cerceaux Tiny Home
Modern Compact A-Frame Houses
Linda Cedar Homes Boast Easy-to-Build and Affordable A-Frame Houses
Prefabricated Miniature Home Concepts
i29 Creates the Câpsula Concept for Dutch Design Week
Garage-Converted Sustainable Homes
Modern Granny Flat Designs the Carlsbad ADU Conversion
Separate Dwelling Tiny Houses
The Elba_91 Tiny House Has Two Living Spaces to Maximize Usage
Shutter-Accented Tiny Homes
The houzEKO Tiny House Offers All-Season Efficiency and Privacy
Extreme Space-Saving Architecture
A 74-Square-Foot Apartment is Redefining Urban Living
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
Sophisticated Upcycled Home Sculptures
Origin Made Boasts the Exquisite Barco Basket Sculptures
Shipping Container Storage Drives
The Conceptual 'CARGO' Hard Drive Fits onto a Data Server Ship
Flexible Pre-Fabricated Homes
Rabih Hage Introduces His Latest Design — Muudo
Energy-Efficient Prefabricated Homes
The 'SON.DER' Home Offers Environmentally Responsible Living
Flax Fiber Floating Homes
The Conceptual 'Blue Nomad' Floating Home is Sustainable
Sustainable Carton-Based Packaging
Tetra Pak Debuts Its First Trial Facility for Recart
Squid-Inspired Packaging
Squid-Inspired Packaging Revolutionizes Temperature Control
Modular Configured Office Furniture
SKNYPL Presents the CABINET+ Series of Furniture
Fine Automobile Display Containers
Cartainers Introduces the New Ceres 001 Founders Edition
Efficient Shipping Container Solutions
Boxhub Eliminates the Hassle of Buying a Shipping Container
Sustainable E-Commerce Packaging
Dow and P&G China Launch Reduced Weight and Impact Packaging
Backyard-Transformed Dwelling Units
Catch Architecture and Obreval Design the ADU Carpintaria
Upgraded Off-Grid Tiny Homes
Minimaliste Designs the Nomad 30 Small Home with Improved Interior
Conveniently Versatile Vehicles
Expandable's 'Touchdown Trailer' Creates an Easy Setup
Light-Filled Towable Compact Homes
Tiny House Listings Creates the 28' Model Tiny Home
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Two-Person Wooden Dwellings
IAAC Designs the Moca Home Using Collected Wood in Barcelona
Repurposed Pasta Boxes
Barilla & Marie Kondo are Sharing How to Reuse Packaging
Ergonomic Eco-Friendly Drink Packaging
The Tetra Prisma Aseptic 300 Edge Packaging is Mindful
Portable Wooden Mobile Homes
Mooble House UK Designs the Mo.5 450 Compact Home
Ultra-Compact Bungalow Designs
Satish Jassal Architects Completes the Haringey Brick Bungalow
Box-Like Innovative Apartment Designs
Photon Studio's Designs the Box in the Box Apartment
Everyday Material Colorful Pavilions
Foster + Partners and NEON Create Two Pavilions in London
Upcycled Circular Design Products
Cyrc Designs Expansive Products with Sustainable Themes
Curved Translucent Experimental Apartments
NEUHÄUSL HUNAL Designs the Sculptor's Apartment
Renovated Compact Loft Apartments
Metre Architects' Vessel Project Renovates a Small Space
Contemporary Sustainable Mobile Homes
IAAC Designs the MO.CA (MOBILE CATALYST) Mobile Home
Sustainable Cafe Delivery Cases
This Paper Pulp Coffee Carrier Keeps Drinks Hot or Cold
Modular Camping Furniture
'Owomo' Created a Line of Build-Your-Own Camping Panels
Sustainable Produce Packaging
These Cascades Eco-Friendly Produce Baskets are Recycled
Versatile Utilitarian Furniture
Equiparc Presents teh Collection 40 of Modular Furniture
Captivating Modern Prefab Cabins
Lloyoll Prefabs Creates the SKALI BackCountry Cubiod
Bio-Based Compact Housing
Woonpioniers Designs the Sustainable Sprout Ruben & Marjolein House
Architecture-Inspired Furniture Capsules
SeungBum Ma Designs the Form-Functional Archi-Furniture
Prefabricated Exposed Structural Homes
Workshop Architecture Inc Designs the Unfinished House
Sustainable Furniture Capsule Shops
Light and Dwell Open up a Store of Furniture Designs
Micro-City Housing Nooks
Notan Office Transforms an Industrial Site in Brussels
L-Shaped Stacked Shelving
The LOFT Shelf for GOODS Can be Assembled at Various Heights
Modular Bathroom Solutions
Prefabricated Pods Streamline Construction and Improve Quality
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Discarded Toys-Created Homes
Wallmakers Designs the Toy Storey Home with Repurposed Toys
Weekend Excursion City Vehicles
The Playbox Urban Mobility Vehicle is Imagined for 2040
Spacious On-the-Road Homes
Minimaliste Designs the Nomad Tiny House for Off-Grid Adventures
Economical Modular Wooden Homes
The Cake House Reinvents Housing in the Czech Republic
Community-Centric Office Spaces
Shubin Donaldson Architects Designs the Tricon Residential Office
Elevated Timber-Clad Homes
Habitable Form Designs the Victory Bay House on Kiawah Island
Demountable Wooden Retail Spaces
Architecture for London Designs Present & Correct's New Space
Upcycled Plastic Construction Companies
'Kubik' Uses Plastic Waste as a Sustainable Material
Ocean-Friendly Upholstery Textiles
The 'Sport' Textiles Are Crafted From Shoreline-Sourced Plastic
Upcycled Plastic Furniture Series
Kasper Kyster Presents the Crafting Plastic Series
Nature Blending Modern Homes
MODU Designed the Mini Tower One Residence in Brooklyn
Compostable Foodservice Packaging
These Sabert Pulp Food Containers are Convenient
Recycling-Centric Waterfront Homes
Measured Architecture Designs the Shor House Project
Robust Monolithic Walled Homes
H Arquitectes Completes the Casa 1736 in Barcelona
Geometric Prefabricated Pavilions
Heams & Michel Architectes Presents the 7 Kiosks Project
Simplistic Timber Warehouses
Aretz Dürr Architektur Designs the Structures of Halle S 46
Warehouse-Transformed Homes
Fala Atelier Designs the House of Many Faces in Porto
Prefabricated Bathroom Units
Cozy International Sells Innovative Prefabricated Bathroom Solutions
Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes
FujiwaraMuro Architects Designs the House in Tsurumi-ku
Hempcrete-Crafted Sustainable Workspaces
Commonbond Architects Designs the Gardenhide Studio
Reusable Banana Containers
Fresh Del Monte Launches a New Banana Container with Arena Packaging
Welcoming Prefabricated Student Housing
Ignacio Prego Architectures Designs New Student Housing
Local Craft-Shown Bamboo Pavilions
AtArchitecture Designs the Northeast Pavilion for an Art Fair
Personal Cubicle Concepts
Ma. Camilla Isabel Reyes Designs a Personal Working Pod Concept
Refreshing Micro-Living Compact Homes
Mariano Ravenna Designs the SF-FR House with Concrete
Portable Pet Shelter Backpacks
The Travel Habitat Carrier is Designed with Multiple Functions
Cleverly Designed Micro Apartments
The Cabanon Measure 74 Square Feet with Folding Furniture
Chic Nautical-Inspired Apartments
TENKA ARKITEKTURA Designs a Stylish and Textured Apartment
Modern Mobile Futuristic Homes
Nestron Presents its Range of Contemporary Tiny Homes
Spacious Sleek Compact Homes
TruForm Tiny Designs the Urban Park Max Home on a Quad-Axle
Smart Reusable Fish Crates
IFCO's Marina Uses Bluetooth Tags & QR Codes to Collect Real-Time Data
Woodland-Inspired Timber Office Spaces
Atelier du Pont Completes the Pavilion Jardins Building
Eco-Friendly Refurbished Studios
Workers of Art Presents the WOA Second Home in Kochi
Youthful-Inspired Office Designs
OSO Architecture Creates the New Office for Esalco Logistics
Ruin-Adaptive Shipping Container Homes
Patrick Bradley Architects Forms the Barneys Ruins Project
Upcycled Aircraft Luggages
Emirates Launches a Collection Made from Upcycled Aircraft Interiors
Thoughtful Wheeling Cabinets
Anna Søgaard's Cabinet on Wheels Emphasizes Mobility in the Everyday
Earthy Tonal Tiled Sheds
LMNL Office Designs the Studio Shed in Brabant, the Netherlands
Poetic Habourfront Nature Centers
3XN Created the Centre for Coastal Nature and Sport Fishing
Concrete Cultural Visitor Centers
UAD Completes the Villagers' Home Center in Zhejiang Province
Log Cabin-Inspired Modern Homes
Balbek Bureau Renovates a Home in Ukraine with Steel and Concrete
Space-Conscious Compact Residences
Piccola Tiny Homes Designs the Minuet Compact Home
Arched Concrete Community Centers
Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica Designs a New Center
Bright Red Timber Buildings
Office ParkScheerbarth Designs the Compact Haus 2+ in Berlin
Sustainable Growing Containers
The HC Companies Debuts the Revamped Horticultural Containers
Brutalist Converted Learning Centers
Archipelago Transforms a Post Office to a Learning Space
Lighthouse-Functioning Concrete Structures
Lin Architecture Creates the Concrete Pavilion in China
Reused Skyscraper Furniture Capsules
Niceworkshop Creates the Aged Form Line and New Form Line
Latticed-Steel Transport Hub Columns
Tremend Designs the Metropolitan Station in Lublin
Social Housing Unit Blocks
Joan J Fortuny & Alventosa Morell Arquitectes Forms 54 Social Housing
Bright Modular Office Furniture
Form Us With Love Created the Center Center Series for String
Temp-Controlled Smart Containers
Tower Cold Chain Debuts New Upgrades to its ‘Smart’ Containers
Mass-Timber Transport Hubs
BIG and A+ Architecture Build the Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub
Roman Architecture-Themed Pavilions
Pratique and Fanum Design the Forum des Vestiges Pavilion
Recycled Ship Sail Pavilions
The Breeze Installation is Installed at Chart Art Fair
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Sustainable Custom Luxe Homes
Schenkar and GA Arquitectura y Construcción Join on a Structure
Mobile Dorm-Designing Features
Pottery Barn Teen Unveils a New Dorm Shop and Expanded Features
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Pre-Fabricated Fire Stations
Wittman Estes Forms the Rapid Assembly Fire Station 67
Steel Structural Dynamic Workspaces
Skylab Architecture Builds a New Skylab Office in Oregon
Lantern-Topped Sleek Workshops
Cabinet Designs the Gardeners House in a Park in Geneva
Juxtaposing Traditionally Modular Homes
FLOWER Designs the Hi-Hat House in Colorado
Housing Block Defensive Facades
Bureau des Mésarchitecture Creates Gold Aluminum Shutters
Artful Dockside Installations
London Festival of Architecture Gets Benches for Pews and Perches
Stable Temperature-Maintaining Containers
Invensify Debuts its New Cold Chain Shipping Transporter
Repurposed Factory Studios
Tengbom Uses Existing Elements in the 1930s Factory as a Studio
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Compact Bengali Affordable Homes
Marina Tabassum and AKT II Design the Khudi Bari House
Telecom Infrastructure Shelters
Panel Built Inc. Recently Introduced Telecom Shelters to Its Range
Artisanal Interior Storage Systems
Alexandre Dubreuil Creates the Dice Design System
Transformed Disused Steelwork Structures
Delugan Meissl Designs Expo Cultural Park Greenhouse
Large Passive House Buildings
Handel Architects Builds the Harmony Commons at UofT