Boxpert Blog

1. Storage Shed       

Why go through the hassle of assembling a newly manufactured set of parts when you can have a sustainable, prefabricated container shipped right to your backyard? And when you’re ready to move or you don’t need it anymore, it gets picked up in one piece and in a single afternoon—not too many traditional sheds can boast the same.

The following is part three in a three-part series on sustainability by Falcon Boxpert and architectural interior designer Sarah Ellis.

So far, we've covered four big reasons that shipping containers are excellent sustainable building materials: their ability to be upcycled, their modularity, their compactness and their structural integrity. In this final installment in our blog series on sustainability, we will address two additional "green" aspects of shipping container architecture that help prove their viability as part of a sustainably-designed future.

The following is part two in a three-part series on sustainability by Falcon Boxpert and architectural interior designer Sarah Ellis. 

Last week I discussed two qualities of shipping containers that make them great sustainable building options--their upcycled nature and their inherent modularity. Today, here are two more reasons container buidings are a great choice in the pursuit of a greener future.

The following is part one in a three-part blog series on sustainability by Falcon Boxpert and architectural interior designer Sarah Ellis.

With concerns about enviornmental issues like global warming and trash buildup increasing every day, the topic of sustainability has received unprecedented public attention. Businesses (at least, those that are shrewd and responsible) have picked up on this phenomenon, and have begun vigorously marketing their more sustainable qualities and attempting to offer products and services that aid the modern consumer in leading the "green" lifestyle. Falcon is no exception to this, with the container construction we engage in consistenly being heralded as a creative, sustainable alternative to typical building techniques. But, what exactly does it mean when something is "sustainable," and how do our shipping containers abide by that definition?

I've heard this idea being tossed around a lot over the years here in Austin, Texas, but to see it finally coming to fruition is awesome!  Living in central Texas we have ten months of summer and only two months of winter so designing a bar completely out of shipping containers is such a fantastic idea.  We love being outdoors.  Our most popular bars and restaurants have patios or rooftop decks to enjoy the weather.  The way they have laid out these shipping containers has given them a lot of versatility; different rooms could mean different themes.  Here's the link http://bit.ly/dKFKNt if you want to read the entire article.   

It's exciting to see what can be done with 40' shipping containers.  Who knew a shipping container could be modified in this way?  This family has put so much thought into their design that once you think "inside the box" your imagination can take you anywhere.  It's been completely modified to fit their creature comforts.  Take a look at their blog http://leegreenberg.wordpress.com/ and to see all their photos.  They've documented their progress from the beginning stages of construction to adding the hot tub on the roof with it's breathtaking views.  This particular project is three stories enabling them to have a garage door on the bottom level and a beautiful rooftop terrace.  Take a look at some of the modifications they've made.

When you start to think about all the interesting things that can be done with a modified 20' foot shipping container that has 160 square feet or a 40' shipping container which has 320 square feet you start feeling like your options are endless.  Take a look at how they modified this shipping container to fit their needs.  http://rowbox.wrch2010.com/ 

There are several misconceptions about shipping containers in Austin TX. and San Antonio TX. I'd like to take a minute to dispell some of the more common myths surrounding Shipping containers and explain why these don't apply here in Texas.

At Falcon Containers, we have taken storage containers to a whole other level.  We have been modifying conex storage containers in almost any way imaginable from portable office buildings, to military trailers for the Army, and even container homes!  Storage containers seem to spark interest and imagination in other people as well, and people have begun using them for all different sorts of things all around the world.  Here's some examples of what we've been hearing about lately:

A company in New Zealand has built what they call a "row box."  Basically, it is a 20' storage container that folds out using hydraulic lifts.  The inside of the storage containers are four rows of TV's, and in front of the TV's are actual rowing machines that people can use.  The TV's show a lake, and keep your time like you are actually in a lake rowing.  Row Box holds challenges for corporate businesses as well as individuals who compete against one another.  How cool is that?  Check out the pictures and a video of the Row Box in action here.

Why should I purchase or rent a storage container from Falcon Containers?