Silos Topped With Stacks of Shipping Containers Provide Cheap Student Housing in South Africa

South Africa's <a href="http://www.citiqproperty.co.za" target="_blank">Citiq Property Developers</a> are ushering in a new era of innovative <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tiny-eco-friendly-student-housing-pops-up-in-sweden/" target="_blank">student housing</a> with abandoned properties and repurposed materials. Mill Junction, their most recent project located in Johannesburg, was constructed out of two former grain silos topped with four floors of colorful <a href="http://inhabitat.com/econtainer-recycled-shipping-container-bridge-to-provide-gateway-to-tel-avivs-arial-sharon-national-park/" target="_blank">shipping containers.</a> The complex is the second of its kind in the city, and it offers hundreds of local university students quality, reasonably-priced living quarters.

The Mill Junction Project, which can accomodate up to 400 students from surrounding universities, is equipped with communal kitchens, free wifi, study areas, a gym and various recreation rooms.

Not only is the project an eye-catching feat of innovative urban design, but Mill Junction was also built with the young residents' specific living budgets in mind.

Offering energy-efficient and affordable accommodation was paramount to the design. In addition to giving the shipping containers and abandoned silos new purpose, the apartments have a number of energy-conserving features.

The entire building is installed with efficient lighting features such as motion-sensors that only operate when people are around.

The many communal lounge and study areas are designed to promote community ties amoung the young residents.

Individual bedrooms offer stunning views of the Johannesburg landscape.