Container House Encyclopedia Introduction

Container houses are modular building products that are transformed from containers as the basic structural modules, designed for habitation or office use. They are constructed using steel frames and bolt connections, with standardized containers as the unit for combination.

Origin and Development

The concept of container houses originated from the modification practices after container standardization in the mid-20th century. Early examples, such as Container City I in London, UK (2000), promoted social awareness. In 2013, Brighton, UK, first used them to address the housing crisis, while China began with the modification of idle containers at coastal ports in the late 20th century, gradually developing on a larger scale. In 2013, the 'Green Building Action Plan' listed container houses as an important form of prefabricated buildings, and in recent years, their technology has spread globally under the 'Belt and Road' initiative.

Structure and Characteristics

Structural Classification: They are divided into three categories: traditional container modifications, newly welded structures, and detachable structures.
Core Advantages:

• Transportation and Assembly: Prefabricated in factories and then lifted as a whole, they can be quickly relocated to new construction sites, suitable for units that frequently change construction locations.
• Sturdiness and Durability: The steel frame structure can withstand earthquakes of magnitude 8 and typhoons of force 12, with fully welded sealed designs ensuring wind resistance and deformation prevention.
• Sealing and Performance: They meet the IP65 waterproof standard, do not mold during the rainy season, and have walls that provide both sound insulation and thermal insulation.
• Flexible Combination: Standard modules (2.4m wide × 2.2m high) can be stacked, rotated, and spliced to create spaces such as conference rooms and dormitories.
• Environmental Protection and Economy: They are lightweight (≤1 ton) and can be carried by two people; with a lifespan of 20 years, the steel can be recycled, and recycling one used container reduces carbon emissions by 3.49 tons.
• Personalized Design: The exterior walls support 3D-printed stone textures, and the roof can be equipped with glass skylights.
• Cost Efficiency: Construction time is reduced by 50%, and the building area can be doubled with the same budget.

Application Scenarios

They are widely used for temporary offices, tourist homestays, construction site dormitories, and field operation housing. In European and American cities such as Los Angeles and Rotterdam, container communities have emerged, integrating residential, office, and commercial functions to form self-sufficient 'container cities'.

Safety Hazards and Recommendations

Hazards:

• The illegal use of flammable core materials such as polystyrene and polyurethane, which melt and drip at 80°C, accelerating the spread of fire.
• The iron sheet-wrapped structure makes firefighting difficult, and water cannons cannot penetrate after collapse.
• The combustion produces toxic smoke, hindering escape.

Safety Measures:

• Use Class A fire-resistant rock wool boards and fire-resistant cotton for filling.
• Maintain a safe distance between heat sources, fire sources, and the container houses, and isolate open flame operations.
• Encase wires in conduits, install switch boxes visibly, and equip them with firefighting equipment.
• Maintain a spacing of ≥6 meters between container houses and avoid unauthorized construction.