Over 100 Incredible Examples of Cargotecture Exhibited At NRW Forum in Düsseldorf

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/shipping-container">shipping container</a> has been the global standard for transportation modules since 1956, but with the great surplus of containers floating around, architects are now putting them to good use by retrofitting them into houses, offices, hotels, bridges and much, much more. A new exhibit at <a href="http://www.nrw-forum.de/container_architecture" target="_blank">NRW-Forum Düsseldorf</a> is currently showcasing over 100 examples of shipping container architecture -- or '<a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/architecture/cargotecture">cargotecture</a>' -- to showcase "the building type of the near future". From now until September 4th, visitors can view over 100 designs submitted by architects -- from existing buildings to far-fetched ideas yet to be constructed. Read on for a look at some of our favorite designs!

Michael Johansson 2010 "self contained" sculpture is made out of containers and vehicles in Sweden.

Luc Deleu / top office's 1990 "hoorn bridge' is a temporary bridge made ​​of two freight containers in Hoorn, Netherlands.

Phooey Architects' West Melbourne Residential Tower is a 14-story apartment buildings made from containers that will be built in Melbourne.

Uwe Harzer's "Living Arch" is a design for a residential apartment building with flexible sizes.

Sculp (IT) architects' "Studenthousingship" is a design for a student housing project in Antwerp, Belgium made from containers set on a ship hull.

MVRDV Architects' Container City is a cargotecture building planned for Rotterdam that will include 3500 used containers.

Luc Deleu / top office's "Kunstlab Orbino" is an exhibition pavilion in the Netherlands.

Peter Kogler's Rheinflügel Art House Train Mobile is an exhibition container building.

Ingenhoven Architects' 1 Unit is a design for a mobile emergency container with all the equipment for autonomous operation.

Sean Godsell's "Future Shack" was designed in the years 1985-97 as a container building that offers emergency care and accommodations.

Jason Welty / SEABIN Design's "eco 540-dwelling" is a self-sufficient residential building designed for Tampa, Florida.

Jure Kotnik's "Conhouse 2 +" is a weekend house built from two containers.

Massimiliano Fuksas' "Container House for an Artist" is a set of plans for an artist's studio.