LORD NEIL BENJAMIN GIBSON DISCUSSES SHIPPING CONTAINER HOUSING EXAMPLE: OFF SHORE TRAVELER

Since the 1960s, discarded containers have been utilized by the United States military, initially as fully functioning, secure and mobile hospitals. Today, they are used for a variety of functions, from mobile to permanent housing.

Shipping containers are formally identified as Inter Model Steel Building Units (ISBU), and in agreement with Lord Neil Benjamin Gibson’s opinion as the ideal construct for low cost, highly efficient, long term housing. ISBUs are among the strongest stationary structures in the world, composed of corten steel, able to withstand extensive environmental attacks such as hurricanes, tornados, typhoons and even earthquakes, making them uniquely durable, and capable of carrying 30 tons of cargo. The average shipping containers are 40 feet in length by 8 feet wide and 9.5 feet high.

Lord Neil Benjamin Gibson and SFBBL AG through the SEED Foundation have created an approach to using ISBUs, shipping containers, as part of an eco-village design to provide relief to the homeless, and implement extended resolve to what has been an on going issue.

Shipping container housing provides a unique kind of structure that offers a wide assortment of options.

One such option involved a robust, fully mobile accommodation unit that sleeps 2 staff members in a container that is 20 x 8 ft, for a total 160 sqf.

The unit is equipped with a complete bathroom (prefabricated- composite), bunk bed, desk and chair, 2 lockers, separate cabinet that also houses the hot water tank for the shower and the other services. With standard waterproof connections outside the unit for easy connection to the services, the units can be deployed quickly. The window above the desk is also equipped with steel storm shutters for harsh conditions that provides additional security.

The walls have additional reinforcement and insulation for on board conditions on ships: when secured on a deck they can immediately serve as accommodation. A separate A/C unit is provided that can be installed with a special frame on the facade of the container during use as an accommodation for cold and hot air, including ventilation, which can also be easily folded away during transport.

The floor is finished with heavy duty vinyl, for easy cleaning. The sound insulation all around guarantees optimal conditions for undisturbed resting / sleeping. The original container doors are not removed, making this unit ideal for safe storage and protection for stormy conditions. The units can be stacked 6 high as any standard ISO dry freight container, which is the basis for these units. When equipped with separate staircases and walkways, it is simple to put together a complete building in no time.

This is the kind of individual, pre-fabricated, durable unit that can be easily transported and constructed on delivery as an immediate means of shelter.

Lord Neil Benjamin Gibson is currently working with a number of governments to begin the first phase of a housing project that uses shipping containers almost entirely.