As populations grow around the world, the demand for affordable and sustainable housing options will continue to rise, particularly in large cities. For some architectural firms, shipping containers have become the answer to meeting that challenge.
London-based firm Allford Hall Monaghan Morris built this beautiful shipping container housing complex, known as Squirrel Park, in Oklahoma City.
Squirrel Park consists of four single-family homes that were built using a total of 16 recycled shipping containers. Each home has 1400 square feet of living space. They were built on a 27,000 square foot plot of land. In its entirety, the project was completed on a tight $1.1 million budget. Not bad for four homes!
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The ground floor of these homes was built with two shipping containers holding the kitchen, dining area, and living room. The upper floor consists of two additional containers with two bedrooms and a master bedroom balcony. The white exteriors combine a modern and industrial aesthetic with white paint and mirrors to reflect Oklahoma’s hot sun.
One of the goals of AHMM when designing Squirrel Park was to provide areas for outdoor recreation and interaction. For this reason, the homes are set in a park-like environment with plenty of trees, grassy areas, and shared outdoor spaces.
Green roofs contribute to the sustainability of these homes, increasing energy efficiency. Green roofs, also known as living roofs, help keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer while helping to mitigate the urban island effect.
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The Squirrel Park homes each have their own covered parking area. The houses are elevated slightly off the ground for water drainage, and being in the middle of tornado alley, each home is reinforced with steel tubes welded into the foundation plates.
Existing mature trees were kept on the property and many new plantings were incorporated to keep Squirrel Park green and beautiful. In addition to the second-floor balconies, the homes have covered front porches with swings for relaxing outdoors.
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The clean, modern interior of the homes utilizes natural light with large windows and glass doors that can be opened for ventilation.
Squirrel Park is a beautiful example of what cities should strive for in meeting housing demands. These homes are spacious, sustainable, and resilient enough to last many decades without a great deal of upkeep.
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
See more photos of Squirrel Park and other sustainable architecture at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. Via Inhabitat