Images of Old Container Houses

Currently, images of old container houses cannot be directly provided, but their typical design features and renovation case scenarios can be described in text.

Typical Appearance Features of Container Houses

Old container houses are usually renovated from standard shipping containers. Common sizes are 20 feet (6.06 meters long, 2.44 meters wide, and 2.59 meters high) or 40 feet (12.2 meters long, 2.44 meters wide, and 2.59 meters high). The appearance retains the original corrugated metal plate structure of the container, with colors mostly being industrial blue, gray, or rust-red. Some renovations change the visual effect through painting or covering materials (such as wood or insulation layers). For example, the container hotel project in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand, uses 20-foot containers spliced into a triangular garden shape, with an A-frame metal roof added on top for shade and creating a semi-open deck space.

Interior Space Renovation Design

1. Space Expansion and Functional Zoning
   Space expansion is achieved through hydraulic systems or removable wall panels. For example, in one case, the side of the container is equipped with an electric hydraulic device. Pressing a button can extend the side panel, creating a space that connects the open deck with the interior. The deck area can be used for placing outdoor furniture or as an activity space. Inside, foldable furniture (such as beds embedded in the wall and collapsible tables and chairs) enables functional conversion. A 15-square-meter container can be divided into a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, and even use the space under a high bed for storage through high-bed design.

2. Lighting and Ventilation Optimization
   The original structure of containers is highly enclosed, so solving lighting and ventilation problems is a key focus during renovation. Common solutions include:

• Opening windows on the sides or ends of the container and installing double-glazed windows or blinds to regulate light;
• Adding solar panels or skylights on the top for both power supply and introducing natural light;
• Setting up ventilation openings or installing exhaust fans, combined with openable doors to create air convection. For example, the "8-Star Residence" in Auckland, New Zealand, has three solar panels installed on the top of the container. At the same time, the height of the house is raised through deep pile foundations, and the terrain slope is used to enhance ventilation.

3. Thermal Insulation and Heat Insulation Treatment
   Metal containers have high thermal conductivity, so interior material renovation is required to improve comfort. Common methods include:

• Filling the walls with polyurethane foam or rock wool boards;
• Covering the outer layer with insulation boards or planting green plants to form an ecological insulation layer;
• Laying moisture-proof pads and wooden floors on the ground to reduce heat and cold conduction. For example, a container house in a rural area of Jiangsu adopts a combination of an "insulation layer + air conditioner" to ensure stable indoor temperature in winter.

Representative Renovation Case Scenarios

• Mini Villa in the Forest: A 15-square-meter container house renovated by a British couple in China has an original wood color as the main tone. The linear kitchen saves space, and cabinets and open shelves meet storage needs. The bedroom bed can be folded into a sofa. The top and side walls are filled with storage cabinets. A small stove made of fire-resistant black material is set in the center, which is more efficient for heating in winter than a radiator.
• Deformable L-shaped Layout: In one case, two containers are placed in an L-shape. The main container includes a living room, kitchen, and bedroom, while the secondary container serves as an office and guest room. A wooden deck extends at the back, overlooking the jungle landscape. Deep piles are used to stabilize the foundation to adapt to the steep slope terrain.
• Modular Combined Hotel: The container hotel project in Thailand uses six containers spliced together. A courtyard is formed in the middle of the two blocks. The rooms are equipped with large floor-to-ceiling windows and independent swimming pools. The deck area is connected to an artificial reservoir, creating a tropical resort atmosphere.