Container Office / HOHarquitectura

Architects:HOHarquitectura

Area:3767ft²

Year:2023

Photographs:Lorena Darquea

Manufacturers:Bostik,Comex,Construlita,Llano de la Torre,Panel Rey

Principal Architect / Project:Héctor Oñate

Collaborating Architect:Gerardo Flores Chapa

Aluminum And Glass Installation:Alumant

Containers:MDC Mercado de Contenedores

Program:Offices inside a warehouse

City:Guadalajara

Country:Mexico

Text description provided by the architects. In a constantly evolving world, where sustainability and innovation are crucial aspects in the construction and design of spaces, a project emerges that exceptionally combines both concepts. It involves offices built from six recycled shipping containers as a structural base, an initiative that demonstrates the possibility of creating innovative, functional, and environmentally friendly spaces.

The project arises from the client's need for flexible offices that could be disassembled and transported in case of needing to vacate the warehouse currently housing these facilities. Since the offices are within a warehouse, insulation was not a problem, allowing cost reduction in structure and slabs.

On the ground floor, six 20-foot shipping containers were used as a base, creating 6x5 meter spaces, a suitable size for office areas. These were interconnected with main corridors, forming three modules tailored to the specific needs of the company, with areas for operations, sales, marketing, logistics, meeting rooms, bathrooms, reception, playroom, cafeteria, and independent offices for managers and CEOs.

A highlight of this project is the optimization of materials. Cutouts from the containers were reused for the construction of mezzanines and internal partitions, giving a purpose to each element and contributing to the project's identity. At first glance, one might believe that all offices are merely interconnected containers due to the symmetry and integration of elements such as doors, dividing walls, and ceilings.

The total area of the offices is 350 square meters within a warehouse of 1100 square meters. Light and temperature control was essential due to its location inside a warehouse. Large openings were created, and the structure was hermetically insulated, regulating the climate with air conditioning and allowing the entry of natural light through large windows.

The use of containers and recycled materials reduced costs, time, and the environmental footprint of construction. This resulted in a more industrialized and modular project, with innovative design, functionality, and high architectural quality, while contributing to environmental conservation.

Recycled, reused, and non-polluting materials used in this project include the reused shipping containers for the structure, recycled steel for the structure and furniture, the reuse of container cuts for partitions and divisions, and the composition of double-glazed windows with air chamber for effective thermal insulation.

In summary, these offices built from recycled shipping containers represent an excellent combination of innovation, functionality, and sustainability in architectural design. They demonstrate that it is possible to create high-quality spaces by reusing materials and employing intelligent construction techniques, thereby contributing to environmental preservation.

Project gallery

Project location

Address:Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico