Perry, the founder and principal of Ecotech Design has completed an eco-friendly shipping container hotel in California, writes Carrie for an article published in 2OceansVibe News.
Eco friendly retired containers
The trend of reusing retired containers started with the tiny house movement to make small, eco-friendly homes that reduced carbon footprint on the planet.
If things keep going the way they are, eventually shops, homes, bathrooms, studios and everything will be fabricated using shipping containers.
Retired containers Vs traditional constructions
Environmental damages
The processes to manufacture cement and concrete caused significant harm and damages our environment. Whereas, container structures use these products minimally.
Scrap heap
Moreover, when a container is recycled, it is given a new form and is put back into use, thus avoiding from ending up on the scrap heap.
Cost-effective
Apart from eco friendliness, the cost-effectiveness of a container structure is also a reason for many companies turning to this sustainable solution for their building needs, not only for homes, but other, larger structures as well.
Eco-friendly shipping container hotel
“Ecotech Design, a Los Angeles-Based studio led by architect Walter Scott Perry, has completed an eco-friendly shipping container hotel in California. Forming part of a winery in Paso Robles, the Geneseo Inn offers a luxury hospitality experience in upcycled container dwellings perched above the landscape.”
“Set in the middle of 145 acres of grapevines and rolling hills, the bed-and-breakfast comprises eight units, each featuring recycled and locally-sourced materials and finishes.”
Ecotech partnered with fabricator CRATE modular and the Cass Winery co-owners, Steve Cass and Ted Plemons, to develop the masterplan and unit design that integrates 20 factory-built, steel shipping containers with conventional building materials at the centre of the vineyard.
“The grapevines are planted in rows 8 feet apart, and the shipping containers also have an 8 foot-wide module.”
“Thus, the idea of using a counterpoint matrix design concept evolved. By offsetting all the building components both 4 feet horizontally and vertically, and in three separated clusters with different orientations, the result is a constant play of light and shadow on the buildings during the day, further articulating the scale of the building mass to be in scale with the vineyard architecture.”
The design was inspired by the vineyards, says Perry, who is the founder and principal of Ecotech Design.
‘The most compelling attribute of this project is the use of modular components, in combination with recycled materials, to enhance visual interest and create an impressive panoramic openness that connects interior spaces, walkways, and decks.”
‘These connect with the vineyard vistas beyond. The structures become truly integrated with their environment. Both container units and the vineyard itself have been recycled — a time-tested adaptive-reuse design strategy.’
Well maintained containers
The average shipping container can travel thousands of miles all over the world, during its lifespan. As long as the owner of the shipping container maintains it well, then there is no reason that it cannot last for well over a decade.
Shipping company will keep its containers in top condition to ensure that the products that they’re moving arrive at their destination safely, wherever that destination may be.
Not from trash!
To conclude, the container home or hotel isn’t made from trash, but pre-loved, well-travelled and hardworking materials.
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Source: 2OceansVibe News
