Shipping Containers: Cool, but Unaffordable
https://www.archdaily.com/772414/ga-designs-radical-shipping-container-skyscraper-for-mumbai-slum I have been approached multiple times this year by people who think shipping containers are the best solution to reducing costs in housing. I hate to bust their bubble, but plainly put, they are not a good solution. Recently, I came across an excellent critique of this phenomenom by Architect Mark Hogan. In his piece titled "What's Wrong with Shipping Container Housing? Everything." he highlights why shipping containers are not a solution for mass housing: Housing is usually not a technology problem. All parts of the world have vernacular housing, and it usually works quite well for the local climate. There are certainly places with material shortages, or situations where factory built housing might be appropriate - especially when an area is recovering from a disaster. In this case prefab buildings would make sense- but doing them in containers does not. I...