Shipping Containers as a Modular Component for

Green Economic Buildings

Dr. Mai Madkour Dr. Alaa A. El Manzlawy
Lecturer of Architecture - A.E.D., Lecturer of Architecture - A.E.D.,
And General Manager – EAE Program, Misr Higher Institute for Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Tanta University, and Technology (MET),
Tanta, Egypt Al- Mansoura, Egypt
E-mail: maimadkour@yahoo.com A.Manzlawy@hotmail.com
& mai_madkour@f-eng.tanta.edu.eg

Abstract— Nowadays there’s a great interest in using using shipping containers as a modular building unit in design
shipping containers as a basic unit to build economic buildings as is challenging and foreign to architectural and civil designers
it is concerned to be a highly customizable modular element of in Egypt. There are many stocks of shipping containers in the
large structures. Egyptian ports that would help to find many solutions by
Building economic buildings are challenging due to the huge
recycling and reusing it. Nowadays, the need for economic
growth of population in Egypt. buildings is so important to search for. [1]
This research aims mainly to provide the assessment of
This research aims to provide the assessment of feasibility using
feasibility using shipping containers as a way to find some
shipping containers as a way to find some solutions for building
economic buildings towards green architecture in Egypt through solutions for building economic buildings towards green
investing weather using shipping containers as a modular architecture in Egypt through investing weather using shipping
component in buildings construction is more economical than containers as a modular component in buildings construction
building using traditional methods. This comparison focuses on is more economical than building using traditional methods.
established planning & design goals, define and evaluate space This comparison will focus on established planning & design
requirements, review benchmark standards & guidelines, goals, define and evaluate space requirements, review
thermal comfort, alteration issues, and construction cost as a way benchmark standards & guidelines, thermal comfort, alteration
to provide an overview of the performance of shipping containers issues, and construction cost as a way to provide an overview
buildings as an approach towards economic green buildings in
of the performance of shipping containers buildings as an
Egypt. This research relay on extrapolation, analytical and
descriptive methodology. The theoretical part includes related approach towards economic green buildings in Egypt. This
concepts of building using shipping containers as a modular unit, research relay on extrapolation, analytical and descriptive
traditional building construction methods, and eco-friendly methodology.
buildings properties. In its comparative analytical part, the
research demonstrates features and characteristics of using II. MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
shipping containers and traditional methods in building
construction applying certain defined criteria to get an idea Modular construction can be used within many different
about quantity and quality of economic and green buildings in types of construction, but can excel where security, speed and
Egypt and how it will serve social needs. The Conclusions will be safety are paramount. Current systems of modular buildings
drawn from the findings of this research to prove that shipping can offer reduced site times, less wastes and less defects on
containers are more economic building modular components that site. They also can provide a safer and cleaner working
will be easily used in Egypt’s green buildings. environment for the workers and staff. [2]

III. SIPPING CONTAINERS

Keywords—Shipping Containers; economic buildings; eco- A. Historical Background:
friendly properties; low construction cost; recycling. Shipping Containers has been known since only about
sixty years ago. Until 1956 goods were packed in sacks,
I. INTRODUCTION barrels, and bales and then transferred from a vehicle to a
Due to the fast growth of population in Egypt which led to waiting cargo ship. Ships in average can carry about 200000
the shortage of economic house buildings, there was a must to individual pieces of cargo and takes about a week to load and
search for new cheap techniques to build economically houses unload. [3]
through reusing shipping containers. This idea of building
B. ISO Shipping Containers Dimensions and Materials:
 ISO shipping container is a 40' (12.1m) or 20' (6.058m) by There are many benefits of reusing shipping containers in
8' (2.438m) wide and 8' (2.438m) high box and made of steel, many architectural designs, due to their strength, durability,
with a minimum internal floor area of approximately 27.95m2 availability, and cost. The attraction also to shipping
and 13.6m2 respectively dependent upon the manufacturer. [4] containers is the ability of using them as a modular system,
it’s an advantage for building social housing units as
The typical ISO Shipping Container is made of
alternative to housing shortage in developing countries.
‘weathering’ steel. It is also known as ‘cor-ten’ steel, cor-ten
Shipping container houses make sense where resources are
steel resists corrosion. [5] Figure 1 shows a typical ISO
scarce, shipping containers are in abundance, and where
container that is used for housing.
people are in need of immediate shelter such as, developing
nations and disaster relief.
An ISO Shipping Container becomes unsuitable for
intermodal use when it is damaged and no longer conforms the
ISO requirements

Fig 1: 20' ISO shipping container (source: Enitan Olot & Anthony K.
Adebayo, building with Shipping Container: A Sustainable Approach to
Solving Housing Shortage in Lagos Metropolis, 2012)

The ISO shipping container has been designed as a good

modular unit and its inherent strength, it has a weatherproof
nature and it is available which helps in making them ideal as
a modular structural component unit. This modular technology
reduces construction time and cost by up to half that of
traditional building techniques while remaining more
environmentally friendly. Containers can also provide
Fig 2: An Example of damaged ISO Shipping Container (Source: J.D. Smith
temporary solutions to a particular shortage in housing, office Shipping Containers as Building Components, V190.0 Updated 30-04-06,
buildings, fishermen villages…etc. Also, can be used in University of Brighton, Department of the Built Environment, 2006. Pg64
disaster areas or areas for worker homes or housing for
students.
C. Shipping containers as sustainable housing structures
The reuse of a shipping container as a prefab building Many Buildings based on shipping containers have been
component in architectural design provides a new use and constructed across Europe, Asia and America. For example, in
reduces the embodied energy of buildings, therefore reusing 2006, the Dutch company Tempo housing finished in
shipping container is a sustainable component which helps in Amsterdam the biggest container village in the world: 1,000
providing houses in the areas that suffers from shortage of student homes from reused modified shipping containers from
housing. [6] China. [9]

A. Shipping Containers Towards Green Architecture

Due to the green premise growing in popularity around the
world, many people are turning to shipping container
structures to green alternatives. [7]
Many shipping containers are littered across the globe,
causing congestion because it’s too expensive for countries to
ship them back empty to their origin. Also shipping container
architecture today is well known around the world. But in
Developing countries, the shipping containers are still used in
their original state as offices in construction sites, shops,
storage areas. So this research focused on how to make these
rigid structures turn into architectural splendors, or for solving
affordable housing shortage. [8]

B. Benefits of Reusing Shipping Containers Fig 3: Keetwonen - Amsterdam student housing (Source:
www.tempohousing.com/projects/keetwon)
  When constructing a building the combined, dead, imposed
Other examples of shipping container houses can be seen in and wind loads are sustained and transmitted by it to the
figure 4, “Container house in Puma City” and 5 “Container ground safely and without causing deflection or deformation
social housing”. of ant part of the building or such movement of the ground
as will impair the stability of any part of another building.
 In assessing whether a building complies with sub paragraph
regards shall be had to the imposed and wind load. [10]
 Constructing the building so that the ground movement will
not affect the stability of any part of the building.
 The building should be constructed so that in the event of an
accident the building will not suffer collapse to an extent
disproportionate to the cause.
 When designing and constructing a building the event of fire
should be maintained for a reasonable period.
 The roof and walls of the building should be resistant to fire,
having regards to the height, use and position of the
building.
 Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
preparation of site and resistance to contaminants must be
Fig 4: Container house in Puma City (Source: Herzog, A. (2011) [WWW]. taken in mind. [11]
Available from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ari-herzog/ [Accessed  Site preparation and resistance to moisture.
17/11/2017]  Protection against sound from other parts of the building and
adjoining buildings. [12]
 Building works should be carries out with adequate and
proper materials which are appropriate for the circumstances
in which they are used; are adequately mixed or prepared;
and which are applied, used or fixed as adequately for
performing the functions for which they are designed and in
a workmanlike manner. [13]
E. Reasons of using shipping containers as housing units:
There are many reasons why containers are a reasonable
and realistic choice skeleton for housing purposes as they are
prefabricated, mobile, cheap and mass produced. They are also
compatible with transport systems, and are easily accessible
around the globe. They are strong and resistant, durable,
stackable, modular, recyclable, and reusable. [14]

IV. BUILDING REUSING SHIPPING CONTAINERS

Fig 5: Container social housing (Source: Pish, M. (2011) [WWW]. Available A. The design process of building a container house:
from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr-push/ [Accessed 22/10/2017]
The diagram below illustrates building a container house
D. Shipping containers building regulations: design process.
Building using shipping containers regulations should exist
Identify Secure
for insuring health and safety of users in all different types of Purchase
goals & necessary
buildings. They also must provide energy conservation of building materials
requirements
buildings. permit
Building regulations are a major limiting, and prohibiting
factor for using shipping container as a building component.
In the United Kingdom there is building regulations for
building using shipping containers and it has been approved Conceptualize
since 2000. Research a Implementation
house design
In Arab countries there should be also approves building
regulations when building using shipping containers that
should take in mind the following: Fig 6: Design Process (Source: http://www.zl6qh.com/000465.html)
 Planning is very essential because it increases chances of
successful construction.

B. Steps of having successful building construction:

1) Establish planning and design goals.
2) Define and evaluate space requirements.
3) Review benchmark standards, codes, and guidelines.
4) Also a check list must be done:
 Calculating the number of building users. Fig 9: ISO Shipping container house plan
 The location of the building needed.
 The maximum and minimum budget of the building. 2) Site Preparation:
 Main requirements of the building. Before purchasing a container, the site must be prepared
 The site soil bearing capacity. first (cleaning the site, flattering the area where the container
 Determine professional services required. will be placed). After preparing the site the foundation works
 Schematic design development including shipping can be proceeded.
container configuration, plans, and elevations.
 Locating local or regional shipping containers re-
sellers and shops capable for performing
modifications and interior fit outs.
C. Setting up a shipping container house:
1) Making the design layout for the container house.

Fig 10: ISO shipping container foundations (perspective view)

V. DOES BUILDING USING SHIPPING

Fig 7: Most common basic plan layout
CONTAINERS HAVE GOOD PERFORMANCE?
A. Cost: Shipping Containers Vs Traditional House:
As an example of built homes, two cases are shown: two built
container houses and their prices. They are simple and do not
include expensive furniture or elaborated solutions.
Defining traditional construction as sticks, bricks, CMU, light
gauge steel or heavy gauge red iron, SG Blocks’ hard and soft
costs are typically below those of conventional options for
both Green Steel and full modular build out. For urban settings
Fig 8: Most common basic elevation layout and buildings of multiple stories, cost savings are significant.
The estimated cost without the transportation of the container
On the above layout is a 240 footer ISO shipping container before and after renovation to the factory and to the site,
that could have two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, respectively for example costs 17 571,14 dollars, meaning
and a bathroom. Which can be designed a follows; see figure 14,133,17 € approximately. If shipping costs between 2
9. 957,65 dollars and 6 452,15 (from Denmark to Portugal and
Denmark to Malaysia, respectively) It could be estimated that
the final value would be the addition of those 14 133,17 € with
(maximum) 867,23 € from long distance shipping – added 2 Durable Heavy Duty Steel Shipping Container. (ISO
times to consider going back and forward for factory to site in standard), Fully finished 1.5” insulated walls and ceiling,
the housing unit life cycle. So the final cost would be 14 Basic Plumbing and fixtures for one bathroom and
133,17+ 1 734,46 summing up 15 867,63 € in the end. kitchen, Basic Electricity and fixtures throughout the unit.
(110v/220v electrical system), Two ceiling lights and four
Depending on where the project is located -country and
wall plug receptacles per 20ft unit, 1M x 1M Windows (2
within a city or not. Containers are flexible, somehow light
per 20ft unit), Built-in Shelves in kitchen and living
and movable temporary solutions so those allow to be
space, Standard front door (re-use of the cutout material),
implemented into special locations such as rooftops or floating
Kitchen (sink, faucet, shelves, ceramic counter top),
barns. [15]
Bathroom (sink, shower, toilet). Ceramic floor only,
Outside shell painted, Finished Floor, Ceramic or
B. Decision of using shipping containers and materials:
Bamboo; All labor and taxes. [16]
Designing temporary housing using shipping containers 2) Second Example: SG-Blocks, offer container homes (not
chosen for their price, mobility, logistics, durability, stackable complete done house, structural core of house only), 13
features, etc. other solutions would be modular but not fixed m2, 50.000 kr (=6 720 €). Includes following: Steel
the same way. It would allow the same kind of strength, ready reinforcements and paint job; Cutting opening for doors
to place structure, but it would give it a different flexibility. and windows; Delivered to building site. Electricity,
Thermal mass is archived through the use of blocks, plumbing fixtures, kitchen etc. are not included in price.
cement, brick and other heavy construction, but that makes the [17]
disassembling option difficult to execute. The joints of heavy 3) Third Example: Basic Quick House:
construction, makes it harder to allow translation or relocation
or destruction and later reconstructions. But elements such as Table 1: Third Example Cost (Source: http://www.quik-
prefab panels make it cheaper to mass produced and easier to build.com/quikHouse/QH_howMuch.htm)
disassemble. Nevertheless, it is not a good thermal mass as
brick or others.
The Social sustainability becomes, one of the most
important elements for design. The vision relates to this aim is
creating a place to live for everyone. Building using shipping
containers can be temporary or permanent and it can be added
to be more flexible in design. Its modularity and playfulness
together with how easy it is to be put together, makes this
solution something like a LEGO piece see figure 11

The Quick House will cost between $150 000 and $175
000 finished plus taxes. This translates into a per square foot
cost of between $73 and $90, about half the cost of a
conventional traditional house. [18]
This options counts with 6 containers, making the price go
up: container themselves and all the cost associated with
infrastructure and insides are 6 times higher. Could be almost
concluded- without big precision- that if the final cost is184
000 dollars for a 6 container design, then if the design would
only be with one container, it would be around 184 000 / 6 =
30 666 $ = 24 664 €.

Fig 11: The same container and its openings can be put together in countless
number of ways and combinations (Source: Mafalda Melo Oliveira, 2014)
VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Social and low cost housing can be designed and
C. Examples already built and their real cost: constructed using ISO shipping containers as recyclable
1) First Example: Container Homes, 15 m2 20 ft. container building components. Also awareness should properly
house price: 12 500 $. (= 10 054 €). Includes following:
 have done towards stakeholders and users. Other important to answer lack of shelter with this solution? And is the price in
recommendations are mentioned below: some places worth using this option over some other?
 Building code regulations should be modified to
achieve more sustainable results. VIII. REFERENCES
 More case-study descriptions of successful sustainable [1] Mary Martinez-Garcia, Alternative Housing: The Shipping Container
buildings using shipping containers should be shown to Home, Library Collection Development, Information Central, NAR,
the public. December 2014.
 Developers and other building professional [2] Smith J.D., Shipping Containers as Building Components, V190.0
Updated 30-04-06, University of Brighton, Department of the Built
Associations should spread awareness to professionals
Environment, 2006. Pg15
and general public on the alternative method of
[3] Levinson M., The box. How The Shipping Container Made the World
sustainable building. Smaller and The Whorls Economy Bigger, Princeton University Press, 2006.
2) To state why using modular or prefabricated buildings is [4] Smith J.D., Shipping Containers as Building Components, V190.0
not more widely used in Egypt a review of the public Updated 30-04-06, University of Brighton, Department of the Built
perception to them should be conducted. Environment, 2006.
3) The number of ISO shipping containers available for [5] Corus, The prevention in corrosion in structural steel work, Corus
conversion year on year should be assessed, together with construction and industrial, 2004.
the predicted numbers available in the future. [6] Enitan Olot & Anthony K. Adebayo, Building with Shipping Container: A
Sustainable Approach to Solving Housing Shortage in Lagos Metropolis, 2012
4) In order to judge the eco-credentials of using new,
[7] Pagnotta, B, The pros and cons of cargo container Architecture, 2011,
single-use or old stock of ISO shipping containers as Available from: http://www.archdaily.com/160892/the-pros-and-cons-of-
building components, a study of the embodied energy used cargo-container-architecture/ [Accessed 13/11/2017].
in shipping and using an ISO shipping container should be [8] Alter, L. Design / Modular Design: Does shipping container Architecture
assessed. make sense? 2011, [WWW]. Available from:
5) The result of the embodied energy study should be http://www.treehugger.com/modular-design/does-shipping-container-
architecture-make-sense.html [Accessed 17/11/2017].
compared against traditional building components to judge
[9] Cookson, R., Hotel changes the landscape of building. Financial Times,
whether using ISO shipping containers as a modular 2009
building unit results in an effective method of construction [10] ODPM, Approved Document A, Structure: 1992 Edition, fourth
in terms of embodied energy. impression (with amendments) 1994, further amended 2000, The Stationary
Office. UK, 2000.
[11] ODPM, Approved Document B, Fire Safety: 2000 Edition, amended
VII. CONCLUSION 2000 and 2002, The Stationary Office. UK, 2002.
House buildings for the poor has remained as an important [12] ODPM, Approved Document E, Resistance to the passage of sound: 2003
Edition, The Stationary Office. UK, 2003.
issue with various government programs and still unable to
[13] ODPM, Approved Document D, Toxic substances: 1985 Edition,
meet the deficit recorded in this segment. amended 1992, further amended 2000The Stationary Office. UK, 2000.
Building materials have constituted 55% to 65% of the [14] Kotnik, J. Container Architecture. (J. Kotnik, Ed.) Barcelona: Links
total cost of construction. But this research has shown that International, (2008).
shipping containers as modular building materials cut the cost [15] Mafalda Almada e Melo Gomes de Oliveira, Flexible sustainable
architecture – major challenges between north and south, Thesis to obtain the
of house construction by 50%, and has a potential for Master of Science Degree in Architecture, Tecnico, Lisboa, October 2014. P9
enhancing mass housing development, but regrettably 99.
stakeholders have not embraced them. In conclusion, Shipping [16] http://containerhomes.net/products/designs-shipping-container-homes-
containers, have more sustainable approach options to provide costa-rica.html.
affordable housing in Egypt and developing countries. [17]http://www.tincribs.com/container-home-costs-
prices.htm;http://www.sgblocks.com/sgblocks-key
This research considered the potential usage of shipping services-and-deliverables.html
containers as a means for providing temporary buildings for [18] http://www.quik-build.com/quikHouse/QH_howMuch.htm
people in need. To accomplish this goal, feasible designs were
developed; building systems were carefully evaluated in
consideration of both cost and functionality (time planning).
And there has been a suggestion about using shipping
containers for low cost housing in Egypt and Arab countries.
This paper states some questions for designers and
decision makers in Egypt and Arab countries to help them
think globally and act locally. Can a shipping container that
exists in our daily life be more than a dark box that can be
used as more than a trend, rather a potential modular solution
that competes in cost with traditional solutions, respecting
temporary housing? Are there enough containers in the world