With the economy stalling, there are currently many empty lots or slivers of land sitting stagnant in the city. Shipping container malls could revitalize those unused spaces. Not only are they easier and in many cases cheaper to construct and uninstall than typical buildings, the natural curiosity they breed in people makes them a great tourist attraction which in turn bolsters the economy.
In the 5th Avenue shipping container mall, each module would serve to house one shop. A system of catwalks, elevators and stairs would sit between the containers and an adjacent building creating a way for people to travel through the mall as well as outdoor space to enjoy. To break up the facade, containers are removed in some spaces so that air and daylight can permeate the mall.
+ LOT-EK
Great idea… but that space they are showing this mall at has a brand new building that went up recently.. do they plan to knock that down?
If you are considering modular or prefab home, or looking for an alternative to high cost construction, building with recycled shipping containers is worth taking a look at. There are many considerations that have contributed to the appeal of building with intermodal shipping containers – availability, standardization, the recycled/green factor, economy and speed of construction, their durability, and even their “elegance/grace”.
Good resource is the Residential Shipping Container Primer website. A SHOWCASE OF SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES AND BUILDINGDS, AND A DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) REFERENCE FOR CONVERTING RECYCLED INTERMODAL CARGO SHIPPING CONTAINERS INTO BUILDINGS AND ARCHITECTURE.
Lots of great example buildings, details, facts, and links to other articles. They have something new that you can setup your own project wiki to get help with your project if you are considering a design build project.
http://www.ResidentialShippingContainerPrimer.com