Menu
CONTAINER ARCHITECTURE - Thinking "out of the box"
- Rohini Gomez Braganza
- June 6, 2020
- 9:29 am
ARTICLE CONTENTS
PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
Architect: Arun Balan
arun@bnarchitects.co.in
Architecture Firm: Balan and Nambisan Architects (BNA)
bnarchitects.co.in
Location: Bangalore, India
Site area: 1500 sq ft
Year of completion: 2019
Project Type: Industrial Office and Experience Centre
INTRODUCTION
We live in a millennial era where climatic distortions are predominant parts of our day to day lives. As these global alterations are inevitable, the need of the hour is for us as responsible designers to shift in a sustainable direction. Our focus has to deviate towards designing our ecosystem holistically, as we cannot remain oblivious of our reality. A new up and coming trend in architecture that is quite an “out of the box” approach towards sustainability, is ‘Container Architecture’. This fun, lego-like play of boxes to make habitable spaces are all the rage and is attracting the masses for a whole host of reasons. Let’s delve into what container architecture really is.
What is container architecture?
Large box-like containers made of Corten/Weathering steel are used for 10 to 20 years to transport cargo across the world via shipments. After this time span they are left discarded and unused at shipping ports. These containers can be recycled and deployed as structural entities for the Architecture industry. Thus the name ‘Container Architecture’.
How are they used for Architecture?
Containers have proven to be durable with time and are reasonably spacious to be able to assign new functionality into the Architecture paradigm.
Durability: Shipping containers are very strong and can withstand different ranges of weather conditions, especially sea water whilst on a shipping consignment. The rust formations on its surfaces actually acts as a patina that protects the metal from further corrosion unlike mild steel. This aspect makes them quite sound for any weather condition.
Space: They are available in different sizes of 8ft width, 8.5ft height and, 20ft and 40ft in length, which is reasonably spacious.
Upcycling them can produce very clean and chic habitable spaces that are at par with conventional brick and RCC structures.
How are they a sustainable material?
Repurposing containers can:-
- Reduce unnecessary wastage of onsite construction resources
- They make a quick construct if one is strapped for time
- The interior finishes can be completed off site while the site is in its preparation phase. This speeds up construction considerably.
- Most importantly they are economically feasible opening doors to so many cost effective possibilities.
Patronizing this sustainable approach is on the rise and has been used to create a range of trendy spaces like pop up stores, mobile offices, cottage bunkers etc
One such example that has turned many heads in the Indian context is a marketing office space located in an industrial landscape of Bangalore city.
Designed by the Balan and Nambisan group of Architects (BNA).
GOAL
The client is a leading manufacturer and supplier of precast concrete slabs and pavers located in an industrial factory landscape.
They envisioned their ‘Marketing office and Experience centre’ to be a veritable green design, with the primary motive of recycling. The intent to recycle or upcycle materials came from a sustainable stand point.
They wanted to also achieve a versatile structure that could be dismantled at any given point in time to relocate if the need be.
Holistically the architectural language had to resonate with the surrounding industrial landscape yet stand out as a unique piece of artistry.
CONCEPT
With ‘Recycling’ as the primary intent of the project, the Architects needed to identify an appropriate material to work with. Shipping containers could be an idyllic medium for abstracting and reinterpreting. They could be recycled, they were compact for a minimalist approach and could be made into chic habitable spaces if treated correctly. In a nutshell, containers checked off all the boxes making them suitable enough to repurpose and for innovation.
The design ideation process took a minimalist route to put a brake on redundant consumerism. This could be done by creating comfortable but compact spaces that meet the standards for a comfortable work environment. This minimalist approach opens doors to creating more green spaces by reducing the overall footprint.
With the material and design intent in place the designers returned back to the drawing board to sketch out an enticing composition for 4 shipping containers.
Let us delve into the design innovation and endurance needed to transform 4 mere containers into a visionary contemporary masterpiece.
THE DESIGN APPROACH
The composition focuses on creating a unique non-symmetrical plan-section relationship by respecting the container as its primary entity. Unifying this scheme are the following approaches:-
- Respecting each entity
- The spatial pattern
- A dramatic 3-dimensional composition
- Creating surprise elements
- Strategic juxtaposition of solid and transparent masses
- A Palette to appeal
- “Out of the box” ideas for inside the box
Respecting each entity
The structure truly celebrates and respects each of the 4 containers on site by pitching them monolithically. No two containers touch each other, as each one is placed with a buffering area all around its respective peripheries. By doing this the spotlight shines on each container individually. Whilst their arrangement together defines the spatial language of the building.
Buffer zones are in the form of revitalising green space, break out decks, circulation space or water features giving a light spacious appeal to the building in layout and elevation. The buffers interconnect and marry the composition of isolated containers into one unified body.
The spatial pattern
Treating the water feature as the heart of the layout, all the containers are arranged around it like a sacred space to the structure. Leveraging from this, each container serves as an idyllic vantage point of the inner courtyard.
The ground level caters to more than 50% of activity on site, accommodating an experience centre, work space, dining/pantry and display areas. Each of these activity spaces breaks into revitalising areas/spill out spaces in the form of either a court, viewing deck or the water body.
The first floor serves as a recreational sit-out deck for gatherings or discussions with a vantage point of the water feature and the surrounding landscape below.
The second floor level houses a discussion room, meeting room and work cabin. All these spaces are also connected to revitalising buffer zones like a court or step out deck.
A dramatic 3-dimensional composition
Off the 4 containers, 3 are landed at ground level, while the 4th container is elevated at the 2nd level. From a distance, the most unique aspect of the elevation is this 4th container that sits at the highest level. It is mainly supported by vertical steel columns and has no opaque mass under its base with the presence of a viewing deck. This creates an illusion-like levitating effect, showcasing the container as the prominent celebrated entity of structure.
Creating surprise elements
Leveraging from the clean lines and angles of containers, the designers were able to create artistic surprise spaces. One such example is a strategically designed entrade to the building. An elongated ramp sets the invitation to the building entrade set between the near terminating point of two containers. On reaching this point one’s curiosity is welcomed with a revitalising water feature. This water feature is contained within the angular premise of the containers seen on either side. The enigmatic approach to this courtyard creates a great feeling of anticipation making the surprise element of the water feature even more inviting.
Strategic juxtaposition of solid and transparent masses
Vertically linking the levels together is a cantilevered staircase covered by large glazed curtain walls. The transparency of the glazed walls continues to keep the spotlight on the containers through the design by dissolving artfully into the landscape.
A Palette to appeal
Color can contribute in a great way to make a building look quite distinguishable from its landscape. By maintaining a palette of primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) the containers pop out of the dull industrial landscape. This flamboyant dance of 3 colors gives the structure quite a dramatic appeal making them attractive to potential customers.
“Out of the box” ideas for inside the box
Bangalore as a city experiences moderate climate throughout the year with unexpected heat waves. To counteract against the heat attracted by steel containers, the interiors needed a lot of attention to create effective insulation.
Novel rock wool and strand board paneling were used for the ceiling and wall surfaces. Deep color tones in blues and greens cover the interior wall and ceiling surfaces of the spaces giving them a hideout den-like appeal.
Pepping up the dark interior tones are chic brown accents in leather and wood furniture complemented with the freshness of potted greens. The array of textures comes to life with ample natural light streaming in from skylights and strategically placed fenestration.
The less imposing color of the fibre cement board flooring creates a neutral slate to showcase the vibrancy of the surrounding elements and textures, completing the picture.
CONCLUSION
The virtue of this unconventional build is that it is far from the ordinary. This “out of the box” manifestation of container architecture as seen in this office space makes for quite an intriguing build, inside and out. The architectural statement is a visual testament to immense design prowess and craftsmanship in its composition. It goes to show how versatile the translation of a simple form can be with the artistry of architecture. It also showcases the endless possibilities that can be created with repurposed pieces of structure for chic habitable environments. This successful sustainable methodology needs to be patronised more by the millennial generation of designers for a more responsible future.
Although Container architecture is a lesser visited approach within the Indian context the advent of this live example could turn the wheel in a positive direction.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Project drawings, specifications & Photography provided by the respective Project Architect
Analysis & Article written by Architect Rohini Gomez Braganza