Problems with Container Houses

The main problems with container houses include limited space, poor living comfort, inadequate thermal and sound insulation, weak adaptability to extreme weather conditions, and inconvenient commuting.

1. Living Space and Comfort Issues
The interior space of container houses is limited, with significant constraints on height and width. For example, the container dormitories at the Nagoya Asian Games had a ceiling height of only 2.2 meters, making tall athletes feel oppressed. The aisles in double-bed rooms were narrow, requiring occupants to avoid each other when moving simultaneously. The bed sizes often did not meet requirements; for instance, single beds measuring 195 cm in length and 90 cm in width left basketball and volleyball players with their feet hanging off the bed and struggling to turn over. Additionally, the metal construction of containers resulted in poor sound insulation, necessitating the use of earplugs at night for sleep, further reducing the living experience.

2. Inadequate Thermal Insulation and Ventilation
The thermal insulation performance of container houses is limited by materials and design. Ordinary containers absorb heat easily, making them unbearably hot in humid and hot environments (such as Nagoya in September). Despite being equipped with air conditioning, a single unit often failed to meet overall cooling needs, with the organizing committee even suggesting opening doors for ventilation before bedtime, highlighting the inadequacy of air conditioning provision. Furthermore, during extreme weather conditions (such as heavy rain), container houses were prone to water accumulation and backflow. During the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, heavy rain led to the emergency relocation of over 400 athletes, underscoring their weak flood resistance.

3. Structural Stability and Adaptability to Extreme Weather
Some container houses posed safety hazards under extreme conditions. Non-standard white-label products often used thin steel, with a wind resistance rating of only 6-7, far below the national standard requirement of over 8, making them prone to deformation and cracking in typhoons or strong winds. For example, three white-label containers collapsed at a construction site in Shandong due to a typhoon, resulting in injuries and equipment damage. Additionally, the earthquake resistance of ordinary container houses was weak, failing to meet the needs of high-intensity earthquake zones.

4. Commuting and Supporting Facility Issues
The location of container houses was often constrained by costs, leading to inconvenient commuting. The container dormitories for the Nagoya Asian Games were distributed across five cities, with athletes facing commuting times of over one hour each way, affecting their rest and competition performance. Moreover, supporting facilities such as dining and fitness areas, being temporarily constructed, varied in quality, with complaints about "tough dumplings" and slow bread machines highlighting deficiencies in overall planning.