Swanky VIP Lounge Made of Shipping Containers Rocks the Voodoo Music Festival

We can't think of a better place to scope out live performances by KISS, Lenny Kravitz and the Silversum Pickups than a giant illuminated viewing platform made of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/architecture/m2e-power/">shipping containers</a>, and that's exactly what <a href="http://www.stefanbeese.com/">Stefan Beese</a> of RE:BE Design constructed for the 2009 Voodoo Music and Art Festival in New Orleans, LA. The containers were stacked to create a grand stand and VIP lounge complete with club-like seating and, of course, two bars. What's even cooler is that the cargotecture elements were reused in a new configuration for 2010, and will continue to be <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/recycled-materials/">recycled</a> for the event in coming years.

Most people would think to build a grand stand from traditional scaffolding, but not Stefan Beese.

The production designer, who is used to thinking outside of the box, decided to think inside of the box for the Voodoo Festival, using six 40’ long <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=shipping+container">shipping containers</a> to create a large viewing deck and a VIP lounge area.

The containers also smartly do double duty as storage space for other festival components throughout the year.

The two top <a href="http://inhabitat.com/platoon-kunsthalle-gwangju-shipping-container-subculture-center/">containers</a> are cantilevered nine feet on each side creating two balconies that are prime viewing locations.

There are also two bars located on the balconies.

Each container was perforated with cutouts spelling the word "VOODOO," which not only brands the structure but creates different vantagepoints and service area openings.

A rendering of the original design.

And since the openings themself act as signage for the event, no additional materials or energy were needed to create banners or posters.

For the 2010 event, the Voodoo container was improved by adding a 10 foot ADA lift leading up to the top deck where festival-goers were able to enjoy performances by Ozzy Osborne, Muse and My Morning Jacket.

The container structure being constructed.