PUBLIC SPACE WITH CONTAINERS

FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE

INFORMAL TRADE

BY R-JON CREW
THE CONSTRUCTION OF
PREFABRICATED
HABITATS USING THE
MARITIME TRANSPORT
CONTAINER AS A
CONSTRUCTIVE
ELEMENT
This construction method provides economic advantages in
terms of time and cost, offers a young and innovative
aesthetic, and contributes in a positive way to sustainability
since it allows to recycle, reduce and reuse materials.
the ability to withstand the impact of hurricanes, tornadoes
and earthquakes make them optimal to be used in
humanitarian projects, shelters and community centers but
their versatility has also captured the imagination of
designers and architects around the world who are using
them for any project, from skyscrapers to second homes
Content

Introduction

from the port to container architecture

A sector to analyze

Container architecture as an urban transformation

Conclusions
INTRODUCTION
Analyze what socio-economic and urban
consequences and impacts an intervention with
containers would have in the areas of influence and if
this could function as a future complement to the
project of creating a self-sustaining mall, in addition
to determining the dimensions and technical
adaptations necessary to transform the Containers in
typologies that can meet the needs presented by
traders in the sector

After taking into account the technical aspects

regarding the constructive element, a field
investigation will be carried out in which an
interaction with people is sought, especially the
vendors in the sector, who are the target audience.

In addition to develope a complete recognition of the

place, its problems in particular, issues related to
trade and its control in public space
ARE THE CONTAINERS A PROBLEM?
As architects, appropriate spaces must be provided, projected and designed for the
use and enjoyment of each and every one of the people who inhabit the city, but in
an orderly manner, both inside the buildings and in the open-air spaces.

That is why solutions with innovative and sustainable ideas must be proposed to
the problems that are generated in the public space, mainly with the invasion of
these spaces by informal vendors.

An alternative would be the reuse of containers for the preservation of public

space and there to solve some problems that are generated there such as insecurity,
pollution, little traffic of inhabitants and the inappropriate use of public space

Placing ourselves in the current situation that the planet presents and the inevitable
turns that all branches must take towards transformation in search of sustainability,
we find one of the most polluting elements in the world, containers

Containers as a transport element can have a useful life of 7 to 14 years, without

any type of maintenance, and at the end of this cycle they are left in storage yards
Located in the large ports where they are
left in the open waiting for their
decomposition, which is very difficult since
they are made of steel or aluminum.

Now, and located in sustainability, the

containers have been provided as a possible
alternative, practical and economical, for
the construction of light structures, quick
installation and at low cost, which allow
the reuse and adaptation of these in order to
provide new spaces, large or small, to a
specific audience.

All this adaptation is known as

“CONTAINER ARCHITECTURE”
TYPES OF CONTAINERS
The following are the most commonly appropriate container types used when it
comes to container architecture.
DRY VAN 20’ & 40’

The container of 20 and 40 feet dry van, are the two

types of containers most used worldwide in the
maritime transport of merchandise, also commonly
known as standard

This model differs from others mainly in that it is

hermetically closed and does not have cooling or
ventilation systems.

measures 2.35 m x 12.01 m

height 2.29 m

weight in kg 30,481 kg

payload 26,780 kg
TYPES OF CONTAINERS
The following are the most commonly appropriate container types used when it
comes to container architecture.
DRY VAN HIGH CUBE 40’ & 45’

Due to their greater height, High Cube containers

are ideal for transporting light or bulky goods. They
are made of steel or aluminum. 45 'HC containers
are special and not all shipping companies use them

The High Cube category, meanwhile, facilitates a

13% increase in internal cubic capacity and is
intended for the heaviest loads

measures: 2.41m x 13.53m

Height 2.69 m

weight: 34,000 kg

payload: 29,050 kg
TYPES OF CONTAINERS
The following are the most commonly appropriate container types used when it
comes to container architecture.
OPEN TOP 20’ & 40’

The open top container can be from 20 to 40 feet

and its peculiarity is that it does not have a top,
since it has a removable canvas roof.

These are suitable for loads that are too heavy

and need to be lifted with cranes or that the
loads are too high

measures 2.35m x 12.01m

height 2.29m

weight: 30.480 kg

payload: 26.630kg
ADVANTAGE
Like all types of construction systems, containers (used as a
structure) have advantages and disadvantages with respect
to other systems, some of these are:

Recycling: Containers after

completing their useful life and
evaluating their conditions (since they
have) excellent resistance to weather
and shocks) can be used as
construction elements, allowing to
reduce their decomposition and
massive accumulations
ADVANTAGE
Like all types of construction systems, containers (used as a
structure) have advantages and disadvantages with respect
to other systems, some of these are:

Portability: Despite being a large

element, many transport mechanisms
have been developed (truck trailers or
cranes), which allows the container to
be worked in another place and
installed directly where it will be
ADVANTAGE
Like all types of construction systems, containers (used as a
structure) have advantages and disadvantages with respect
to other systems, some of these are:

Easily stackable (up to 5 in height):

the load-bearing capacity of its
structure allows the containers to be
self-contained, depending on their
base or occupation on the first level
and using a combination of new and
used containers, to guarantee
resistance from the bottom
ADVANTAGE
Like all types of construction systems, containers (used as a
structure) have advantages and disadvantages with respect
to other systems, some of these are:

Reuse and external work to the site

allow the saving of construction
materials. In addition to reducing
labor costs and manufacturing and
installation times
ADVANTAGE
Like all types of construction systems, containers (used as a
structure) have advantages and disadvantages with respect
to other systems, some of these are:

Light Foundation: The containers

require a concrete base (small
pedestals) that are embedded in the
container that does not require
reinforcement or masonry
ADVANTAGE
Like all types of construction systems, containers (used as a
structure) have advantages and disadvantages with respect
to other systems, some of these are:

Ephemeral architecture: Allows

containers to be used as a structure for
temporary buildings such as offices,
sanitary units, pavilions, bars and
boutiques
DISADVANTAGES

Limit the space according to the use

of common activities, in this case it
applies "adapt the function to the
form". Although it is a disadvantage,
the containers also allow to be
coupled with the others in a very
simple way, which allows to solve it
DISADVANTAGES

Inversion: The great thermal

conductivity of the Corten steel of
which it is composed and its
protective layer can corrode. For this,
anti-corrosion paints are applied to the
containers and some insulating
material inside, this allows greater
durability and comfort of the
container.
DISADVANTAGES

Structural need: If the project requires

several levels and the coupling of
several containers, a structure must be
made to put the containers there, in
addition to having new containers at
the base
TIMELINE
A historical tour through the containers and their architecture with the view of various projects.

Projects that determine key factors that container construction presents

COMMERCIAL USE REFERENCES
Food Place Containers (Envigado, Colombia)

This is perhaps the clearest example of how

containers can consolidate a purely commercial
space, and the most opportune thing is that it is
also in the City. This project was inaugurated
at the end of 2013 and 17 containers of 20 and
40 feet High Cube were used.

Currently in this space the containers were

located, forming a 3-level structure and 7
restaurants, bathrooms, offices, totem (vertical
container), dressing room, pergolas and
garbage room are operating.
COMMERCIAL USE REFERENCES
Containerized restaurant in the Granada
neighborhood (Cali, Colombia)

Design proposal made from parqueoft in

Cali.

Despite the fact that in Colombia there is

still no great use of containers, there are
already some constrictions. The uses are
endless, that's why the invitation to create
awareness of the environment and
empower these containers to build the
ideal space
COMMERCIAL USE REFERENCES

STARBUCKS, CHICAGO

It was the company's first store and

the sixth in the USA.

Starbucks has also used the simple

and common shipping container for a
new experience: a coffee shop tour
called Reclamation Drive Thru.
ACTUAL STATE

The intention of the proposal emanates to generate a reconstruction proposal

for the indicated place and to have modules for sales

Currently, the mayor's office has made an effort to recover and transform
different areas and spaces in the city to provide greater quality and benefit to
citizens.
ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER

Occupation of public space

Types of trade

Flows and traffic

Security

Toilet control

Environmental and sunlight

CONTAINER ARCHITECTURE AS
URBAN TRANSFORMATION
The sector's need for an intervention that allows transforming the dynamics
that are presented there, generating visual attraction, changing its current use to
make it a place that allows a pleasant interaction between traffic and commerce

Carry out an urban intervention that allows the rearrangement and distribution
of informal vendors

Ratification of the structural, economic, technical and ecological qualities of

the container as a constructive element for the new commercial spaces

FROM THESE 3 INTENTIONS, 5 TYPES OF TRADE ARE ESTABLISHED,

EACH FOCUSED ON THE STRONGEST POINTS OF TRADE
SPARE PARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
GARAGE SALES
BOUTIQUE
RESTAURANT / BAR
TOILETS
CONCLUSION
The feasibility of executing a project with containers is very high, since its
dimensions allow it, its technical characteristics of installation and adaptability
allow it, and with a consistent design and accompaniment of the public space it
would generate a more attractive environment to be able to strengthen the
activities in the containers

Now these proposed typologies will allow to help the problem with informal
vendors in the sector, which makes us a social project