Container City
Container City™ is a series of shipping container spaces in east London devised by Urban Space Management Ltd. The first was installed at Trinity Buoy Wharf in 2001.
The concept behind the series is the re-use of shipping containers at the end of their life to provide prefabricated steel modules for flexible accommodation and office space. The containers, which are painted in vibrant colours, are usually stacked five high. The modular system reduces construction time drastically and improves sustainability.
The containers can be combined to create a wide variety of building shapes and adapted to suit a variety of needs, and when the land is required for other purposes, they can be reused elsewhere. To date (June 2017), sixteen projects have been completed using the technique, which is best-suited to short and medium-term use.
The fit out of the units is completed off site, and they are craned into place once the site is ready. Craning in the containers can take 1-15 days depending on the size and scale of the project. Together with the final ‘fit out’ of the site, this quick construction process can mean the units are ready for use in only a few weeks.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building of the week series.
- Hex House project.
- La Hospederia del Errante.
- Modular buildings.
- Plug-In to Housing.
- Unusual building design of the week.
- Urban Rigger.
- Y:Cube.
[edit] External resources
- Container City - Official site
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.