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| About Containerwerk |
| "My Home" contact info |
| Project | My Home |
| Designer and Builder | Containerwerk |
| Architect | Weekender Architekten |
| Client | Wohnen auf Zeit MAX Wertheim GmbH |
| Area | 26 sqm (280 sqft) |
| Containers | 21 |
| Installation Time | 3 days |
| Year | 2020 |
| Location | Wertheim, Germany |
| Photography | Stefan Hohloch |
Sustainability and innovation are the cornerstones of the 2700 sqm large future-oriented "My Home" residential park (shipping container tiny homes village) in Wertheim, Germany. “My Home” consists of 21 furnished apartments, created by containers, aimed at businesses, business travelers and tourists in the area, who appreciate their own private living space rather than a standard hotel room when away from home.
The project was developed by Felix von Knobelsdorff, Clemens Müller and Nicolas de Fejer, while the framework for the groundbreaking project with its challenging and sustainable architecture was created by German supplier and partner, Containerwerk.
The shipping container tiny homes village is designed to fit optimally into the surroundings with sufficient space for green areas between the apartments. The facades of untreated regional wood create an aesthetic and harmonious transition between nature and the raw shipping container architecture.
Each apartment is created by a 40-foot shipping container, which is transformed into a living room with full comfort and hotel-like ambiance. These are assembled into groups of three, all units with distinctive full-length windows in the gable, from which one can enjoy an unobstructed view of nature.
Inside, the shipping container tiny home offers 26 sqm, which is more private space and flexibility than most hotel rooms. All include a fully equipped kitchenette, a private terrace, a separate entrance, a light and airy dining and work area for up to 4 people, a car park next to the entrance as well as the feeling of living in your own home.
Description by "My Home"
Temporary living in a shipping container tiny home.
Trip around the world ends in Wertheim. Unusual upcycling idea creates new, modern living space.
A new home for disused overseas containers and a special feeling of wellbeing for guests, that is the idea behind the boarding house, which is currently being built in the industrial and commercial area of Reinhardshof in Wertheim. The excavators have been rolling since mid-September, so that by the end of the year 21 small, fully-fledged, single-storey micro-houses will emerge from former freight containers on Theodor-Heuss-Strasse.
The first guests are expected to move in March 2020. On 26 square meters they will find everything they expect from a modern hotel room; in addition, a kitchenette, a private terrace, a parking space and "the good feeling of living like in your own house," says Felix von Knobelsdorff, Managing Director of the temporary property MAX Wertheim GmbH, which is responsible for the construction.
Everyone finds their home in the cozy shipping container tiny homes village
• for companies that want to provide good accommodation for employees, customers or suppliers to bridge the gap until your own apartment has been found
• for people who want to live flexibly, easily and for a limited time
• for people working temporarily nearby
• for relatives of people in a nursing home or hospital
• for open-minded adventurers who want to spend a different night and are tired of staying in hotels
• for people who want to live flexibly, easily and for a limited time
• for people working temporarily nearby
• for relatives of people in a nursing home or hospital
• for open-minded adventurers who want to spend a different night and are tired of staying in hotels
Make yourself at home
• living like in your own house in a small space
• bright and spacious living atmosphere on 26 square meters
• separate entrance and private terrace
• light-flooded dining and work area for up to 4 people
Easy self-sufficiency
• equipped kitchenette with hot plates, microwave, coffee machine and refrigerator
• double bed for 1-2 people (140 x 200 cm)
• sofa bed for 1-2 people (140 x 200 cm)
• modern bathroom with shower (hairdryer available)
Resource-saving and contemporary
Felix v. Knobelsdorff and his colleagues Clemens Müller and Nicolas de Fejer have known each other for almost 20 years from their work in construction and interior design. Through joint projects, they established contacts with the Stuttgart start-up container plant, which buys used shipping containers and converts them into high-quality, energy-efficient living spaces. All three were enthusiastic about the resource-saving approach of combining sustainability with a modern atmosphere and flexible living. "In addition, we travel a lot ourselves professionally and were fed up with the dark, stuffy corridors and confining rooms in many hotels," explains civil engineer Müller. Nicolas de Fejer: "We are united by curiosity to implement something completely new and ecologically meaningful."
Description by Containerwerk
‘My Home’ is the region’s first, short-term residential quarter and the inspiration of temporary living company Wohnen auf Zeit MAX Wertheim GmbH. The building blocks for this pioneering project with its challenging and sustainable architecture are twenty one modules that have been transformed into refined living space by Containerwerk.
From the start of 2020, the first, twenty one My Home apartments in the town of Wertheim are awaiting their new occupants. The basic component of each costconscious and flexible living space with hotel-like comfort is a recycled freight container. The offer is aimed at companies, business travellers and tourists to the Taubertal holiday region who favour their own four walls as opposed to the standard hotel room.
Even within a week or two of the construction phase, it was evident from the progress being made how environmentally friendly, cost effective and efficient working with container architecture can be. In order for on-schedule completion to be achieved in January 2020, all containers were fully finished at the factory and delivered as readyto-connect units. At the same time, the building plots were prepared with strip foundations and all necessary connections. Due to the high degree of prefabrication, the onsite setup time could be reduced by four to five days. During the final building only roofing elements and facade had to be added.
Development of a contemporary ‘building block’
If it were not for Containerwerk’s pioneering technological work, building with recycled freight containers to such an extent and in such a short space of time would not be possible. Three developments have been decisive to their upgrading process: the patented, high-performance insulation method, series production at the German production plant, and extremely detailed prefabrication.
By adopting decommissioned freight containers as the proverbial building block for countering resource shortages and supporting environmental sustainability, CONTAINERWERK began an intensive period of experimentation. After eight years of research, the German company is today producing a new generation of container modules. Thanks to the automated, high-tech insulation, the walls are only around 10cm thick and thus offer significantly more living space than traditionally converted containers.
“The method that we've been working on for a long time is an unprecedented, complete insulation technique that is compact and monolithic, in other words thermal bridge-free. It’s multi-patented, automated and incomparably fast,” explained Michael Haiser, joint CEO of CONTAINERWERK. “Thousands of modules can be produced each year – ready for occupancy. Installing the slender, high-tech insulation together with acoustic decoupling and a thermally reinforced floor only takes two hours leaving them ready for the interior fittings.”
The 21 energy-efficient, full-comfort micro-apartments for the My Home project in Wertheim were also produced in series on a production line with 40-foot high-cube containers as their basis. It is an industrial prefabrication process that has pushed back the boundaries that have applied until now for conventional container conversion.
‘Second life’ with a sustainable message
Sustainability and innovation – these are the two key factors for all concerned with the future-oriented residential park and its 2700 square metre area. The developers Felix von Knobelsdorff and his colleagues Clemens Müller and Nicolas de Fejer have known each other for almost twenty years through their activities in construction and interior design. It was through joint projects that the contact to Containerwerk was first made. All three were fascinated by the resource-friendly approach of combining sustainability with a modern atmosphere and flexible living. “Besides this, we all travel a lot on business and are fed up with the dark, stuffy corridors and restrictive rooms typical of many hotels,” explained structural engineer Müller. “The curiosity of putting something entirely new and environmentally sound into practice unites us all,” added Nicolas de Fejer.
“The whole project is sustainable. Even the first step sees valuable resources being conserved due to decommissioned and scrapped freight containers being used. Besides this, containers allow for building projects that use strip foundations. The ground is therefore not completely sealed and the living units can be fully deconstructed.” Felix von Knobelsdorff’s sustainable and unique boarding house project and its use of upcycled modules proved highly convincing even at the planning stage with interest and approval at a political level and from the building authorities.
Of particular importance to the officials was the sustainability strategy. “We wanted the residential units to fit in well with the surroundings optically, hence sufficient space for green strips will be kept between the units. Attached facades made of untreated, regional timber will also create an aesthetic overlap between the surrounding nature and the trendy look that the containers bring with them,” explained Felix von Knobelsdorff.
Valuable support for the project has also come from the Mayor of Wertheim Markus Herrera Torrez. “The idea of converting disused freight containers into micro-homes is particularly appealing as it involves operating in an environmental and resource-friendly way. Something new but also something that is environmentally sound is being created here. This fits in well with Wertheim. It will enhance the quality of our town as a residential and a business location. This offer is ideal, particularly for Wertheim companies – which include ten global market leaders – who need shortterm accommodation for employees, consultants, technicians and suppliers. The units can also be used by tourists and travellers.”
Aesthetics and living comfort
The low tare weight of each individual container means they can be stacked in a number of ways. At My Home they have been assembled in groups of three with all units featuring characteristic full-length windows in the front end from which an unobstructed view can be enjoyed.
With a 26-square-metre interior, each private unit offers more space than most hotel rooms and includes a fully-fitted kitchenette, a private terrace, a separate entrance, a light and airy dining and working area for up to 4 people, a car parking space next to the entrance and “the satisfying feeling of living in your own home,” says developer Felix von Knobelsdorff. Other comforts such as free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV are of course also provided. The popular self-catering accommodation option is complemented with hotel-like services such as the regular changing of bed linens and towels and room cleaning. “What is important to me is that every guest feel at home,” reiterated von Knobelsdorff. The apartments offer a feel-good factor, privacy and also maximum flexibility.
Video
Construction
3D Renderings
Drawings/Floor plans
Questions and Answers
Modular construction from shipping container space cells, i.e. container architecture, is a very progressive type of construction and is now possible in new dimensions thanks to our innovation in insulation. Architects, investors and private builders therefore have many questions about the container modules themselves and the construction method. In the following FAQs Containerwerk has put together many aspects relating to Containerwerk shipping container technology, the modules and building with shipping container modules.
| Construction method |
| Technology |
| Architecture |
| Costs and prices |
| Project process |
Construction method
Regarding the building code, how is the construction method with sea freight containers treated?
The approval procedures are identical to those for conventional building construction. Despite their permanent mobility, buildings made of containers are subject to approval and require a building permit. Our modules are subject to extensive static calculations, fire protection, and sound insulation reports, and the monolithic wall structure meets the requirements of the EnEV 2016. Following with the respective state building regulations, the modules require a project-related building permit (vBG) or approval in individual cases before they can be used in structural installations.
Why does Containerwerk reuse sea freight containers?
Containerwerk makes a sustainable contribution to an improved eco-balance by reusing sea freight containers. Instead of ending up in the scrap press, the container finds its way to a new, long-term destination.
Are there any risks of harmful residues/pesticides on our containers in the indoor or outdoor area?
Our containers are industrially cleaned before removal. In cooperation with our container suppliers, we define selection criteria and only receive used containers that meet our quality standards in terms of static and structural factors, but also the absence of pollutants.
The interior surfaces of the container are sealed by our wall structure/PUR foam. In such an insulated container, we conducted an emission measurement on our own behalf to identify, for example, residues from fumigation (the procedure used to protect the container interior from pest or mold infestation). Infrared spectra were used to measure for fifty substances. The result: no elevated pollutant concentration was detected, and in some cases, the substances were even close to the detection limit.
Is the quality of the modules comparable to that of a conventional building?
In terms of building physics, our modules are flawless, have been extensively tested by independent testing institutes, and offer an exceptionally high quality of stay that is comparable with conventional buildings. The modules are produced under consistently good conditions in our production halls, where all trades can be optimally coordinated, harmonized, and controlled. Proven detailed solutions, standardized processes, and continuous monitoring guarantee the high quality of the modules, which are up to ninety percent prefabricated in the production hall. In conventional construction, by the way, the elimination of defects is demonstrably the biggest cost driver; they arise primarily from poor coordination of the trades on the construction site and from inadequate quality monitoring.
What is the advantage of industrial construction?
Our modules are manufactured in industrial production at the manufacturing plant. This offers considerable advantages over conventional construction methods. Shorter construction times thanks to parallel processes and weather-independent production as well as the resulting earlier utilization options of the buildings and faster refinancing provide a monetary advantage and, above all, planning, cost, and schedule reliability.
The use of high-quality building materials, standardized workflows, and ongoing quality assurance processes ensure consistently high quality, while waste and material consumption are optimized. Furthermore, there are no emissions from noise and dust on the construction site during the short erection times.
What aspects make a modular building sustainable?
The sustainability of the modules can be documented over their entire life cycle. The reuse of sea freight containers significantly reduces the energy required to manufacture the modules (so-called gray energy). During production in the manufacturing plant, resources are conserved through the optimized use of materials.
Due to the high degree of prefabrication, the environmental impact of dirt, noise, and construction waste is reduced to a minimum when the modules are assembled on site.
Once the buildings are in operation, the high-performance insulation ensures outstanding insulation values and, together with optimized energy concepts, low operating costs. Depending on the energy concept, buildings according to KfW efficiency standards for houses are possible. All container modules can be fully recycled by Containerwerk at the end of their useful life. In line with the principles of recycling management, the materials are separated by type, disposed of properly, or returned to the technical cycle.
What does the abbreviation DGNB stand for?
Containerwerk is a member of the Deutschen Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB e. V.) – “German Sustainable Building Council”. This is in line with our philosophy, which is to create future-oriented and sustainable living space.
How comfortable is the indoor climate in the container module?
Our modules meet all building physics requirements and create an optimal indoor climate in winter and summer. Furthermore, we prefer to use healthy materials for a comfortable feeling in the room.
Are smaller projects in modular construction also possible?
Due to the industrial processing, the associated set-up times, and the project-related planning effort, individually planned, smaller projects are usually not economical. Therefore, we alternatively offer pre-planned modules as finished product solutions in various stages of completion. Our range extends from the insulated shell of the module ex-works, prepared for further interior work by the customer, to a ready-to-occupy module including bathroom, technical building equipment, electrics and finished surfaces, to the fully furnished Tiny House.
Are there reference projects that can be visited?
We are pleased to invite you to visit our showrooms at the production site in Wassenberg or our site in Stuttgart by prior appointment. In shipping container home village in Wertheim, there is also a possibility to book overnight stays in a boarding house, which was built with modules from Containerwerk. All over Germany, there are reference projects, some of which can be visited after consultation with the building owners. Please feel free to contact us in this regard.
Does Containerwerk offer a Tiny House?
We are currently developing a Tiny House in a 40FT container with 25 square meters of living space, which will be available to order from 2021. Optionally, it is available as a fully furnished version ready for occupancy or as a “refined carcass” for the craftsman-talented builder to build out on his own. Please note that this Tiny House is subject to the building code and requires a permit.
Technology
What is the structure of the outer wall of the modules?
The wall structure of the module consists in the standard from the outside to the inside of: Corten steel, PUR foam (polyurethane/polyisocyanurate rigid foam), mineral fiberboard, and gypsum fiberboard. Interior wall and ceiling surfaces are painted with diffusion-open silicate paint as standard. Any large-format board can be used on the interior side of the room, e.g. a three-layer board made of natural wood.
Which energy standards are feasible?
Our wall construction with monolithic high-performance insulation and a heat transfer value of U = 0.20 or 0.19 W/m2K in the wall or ceiling, respectively, enables compliance with the currently required EnEV standard. Similar to all permanently installed buildings, modular buildings made of sea freight containers are also subject to the currently valid Energy Saving Ordinance. Container modules can easily meet the legal requirements for the use of renewable energies in conjunction with building insulation, systems engineering, and summer heat protection. Depending on the energy concept, buildings in the KfW Efficiency House standard are possible.
How is the verification of thermal bridges performed?
The monolithic wall construction is one hundred percent free of thermal bridges and has no penetrations such as screws or bolts. Its insulation, which is installed on the inside of the room, is bonded over the entire surface. Thanks to seamless quality assurance during the mechanical insulation process by a video camera, the insulation is free of air pockets (so-called blowholes).
How heavy is a module?
Compared to conventional housing, the weight is reduced by about 25 percent. A completed 40FT HC container module with bathroom, kitchen, and furniture weighs about thirteen tons.
Can the modules rust?
By using Corten steel, sea freight containers are extremely weatherproof and even resistant to saltwater. Rusted on the surface, the surface rust protects the steel underneath. If desired, the module can be additionally protected from environmental and weather influences by a flat roof, exterior painting, or curtain walls.
What foundation is necessary for modular construction?
Load transfer for container modules takes place via the four ISO container corners. Accordingly, point or strip foundations in the module axes are sufficient. In the case of the 40FT container, an additional point foundation is advisable in each case centrally under the longitudinal wall. Special foundations (e.g. reversible screw foundations) depending on the subsoil are also possible.
What material is used for insulation?
Containerwerk uses highly efficient PUR/PIR foam (polyurethane/polyisocyanurate rigid foam). In fact, it is the same material used in PUR mattresses or sneaker soles and is harmless to health. If desired, the certified use of renewable raw materials in production can save fossil raw materials and help promote the use of renewable resources.
What is the maximum width of the insulation that can be installed?
On average, the insulation is ten centimeters thick. For even more efficient insulation, the insulation thickness in the wall can be increased from ten to a maximum of fourteen centimeters after consultation with the manufacturing department. The insulation thickness of the ceiling cannot be changed. In addition, the insulating effect is improved by a compact arrangement of several modules.
What building materials are used in the module?
The wall structure of the module consists in the standard from the outside to the inside of: Corten steel, PUR foam (polyurethane/polyisocyanurate rigid foam) and, as a rule, a sandwich element made of mineral fiberboard and gypsum fiberboard. Interior wall and ceiling surfaces are painted with diffusion-open silicate paint as standard. The interior of the room can alternatively be covered with any large-format board, e.g. a three-layer board made of natural wood. A wide selection of quality-tested brand products is available for the surfaces and furniture.
Do I need a structural analysis for a building made of containers?
Our company is familiar with the technical specifications and has extensive detailed drawings of the sea freight containers. The structural calculations are available for the standard details in the standard configurations. Nevertheless, individual static calculations and, depending on the project, also test statics must always be provided. Apart from the arrangement and design of the modules, other factors such as location (snow loads, earthquake zone), traffic loads, and ground conditions also have to be taken into account.
What energy efficiency does a container module have?
Our modules meet the requirements of the EnEV 2016. On request and depending on the technical building equipment, a design as KfW Efficiency House 40 is possible.
How are heating and cooling done in the module?
Our modules are partially air-conditioned as standard. Depending on the desired energy concept, underfloor heating can also be integrated. In the case of other requirements or larger buildings, a separate technology module is an option that is planned in coordination with the specialist planners on a project-specific basis to meet your needs.
What happens to the modules when they are no longer used as living space?
All container modules can be fully recycled by Containerwerk at the end of their service life. Following the principles of recycling management, the materials are separated by type, disposed of properly, or returned to the technical cycle.
Architecture
What plan grids are available?
All container sizes are standardized internationally. We use so-called High Cubes (HC) with an overall height of 2.90 meters. In length, the grid corresponds to the standardized container lengths: 12.19 meters (40FT), 9.12 meters (30FT), and 6.06 meters (20FT). In width, the grid corresponds to the container width of 2.44 meters.
How flexible is the floor plan design in modular construction?
Containers can be used individually or connected with each other. Containers of different lengths can also be joined together, cutting out the sidewalls and sealing the joints. Subdivisions with drywall, for example, for the installation of a bathroom, are also possible. The most convenient is the use of a single module as a room cell.
How is the area efficiency compared to conventional construction methods?
The complete wall structure, consisting of the container steel wall, insulation, and room-side closure with a gypsum fiberboard, is very narrow at fourteen centimeters and thus offers an interior width of 2.16 meters (maximum 2.20 meters). The ratio of usable floor area (UFA) to gross floor area (GFA) is a very good 0.86. As a result, container modules offer significantly more space efficiency compared to conventional construction.
How big is a shipping container?
20FT HC Container
Exterior: 6.06 meters (length) x 2.44 meters (width) x 2.90 meters (height)
Interior: approx. 5.70 meters x 2.16 meters = 12.3 square meters (at 2.50 meters clear height)
30FT HC Container
Exterior: 9.12 meters (length) x 2.44 meters (width) x 2.90 meters (height)
Interior: approx. 8.75 meters x 2.16 meters = 18.9 square meters (at 2.50 meters clear room height)
40FT HC Container
Exterior: 12.19 meters (length) x 2.44 meters (width) x 2.90 meters (height)
Interior: approx. 11.80 meters x 2.16 meters = 25.5 square meters (at 2.50 meters clear room height)
Is it possible to connect the containers to form larger rooms?
The combination of several modules creates a wide range of floor plan options. For this purpose, the complete sidewalls, or alternatively only parts of them, can be cut out. For correspondingly wide openings, steel supports must be welded in according to the structural engineer’s specifications, and the joints are professionally sealed all around during assembly on site. Rainwater is collected via an additionally mounted flat roof and drained via downpipes.
How many shipping containers can be stacked on top of each other, and what is meant by mobile or modular construction in container construction?
In sea conditions, wind, and weather, up to nine containers can be stacked on a container ship, merely connected with twist-locks and bridge fittings – this method has proven itself in daily use worldwide. In building construction, however, project-specific structural calculations and fire protection must be taken into account.
Individual containers can easily be connected to each other on all sides to create larger floor areas. Modules can also be added to or dismantled at a later date. In this way, buildings are created that, unlike other modular construction methods, can change their location easily and cost-effectively via standard logistics – in principle like toy building blocks for adults.
Is the external appearance predetermined or can it be changed?
All common curtain wall systems can be mounted on the container, which is already wind- and waterproof. The containers can therefore also be left as they are or painted in any RAL color. The container doors can be optionally removed or used for facade design, sun protection, or as a balcony. Extensively greened flat roofs, with or without photovoltaics, are also possible.
What influence can I have on the interior design, and what are the design options for the bathroom?
The inner wall can be chosen between mineral fiberboard or three-layer wood board. The mineral fiberboard can be painted or wallpapered, the wooden board can be left original or colored glazed/oiled.
In cooperation with renowned prefabricated bathroom manufacturers, we offer system bathroom solutions tailored to the container floor plan. The floor plan of the bathrooms is predefined, while surfaces, materials, colors, fittings, and sanitary articles can be individually selected.
For which areas of application are container modules suitable?
Our industrially manufactured modules are suitable for projects where high volumes with repetitive floor plans are required in a short time. For example, for hotels and hostels, boarding houses, employee and student dormitories, rehabilitation clinics, senior residences, office units, retail spaces, coworking spaces (also indoors, when converting vacant factory buildings), co-living spaces, mobile homes at campsites, and vacation homes. Redensification/additions to existing properties or parking decks are of limited use due to the given container dimensions.
Is it possible to deconstruct a modular shipping container building?
After assembly, the modules remain mobile and can be deconstructed quickly and inexpensively with a truck-mounted crane. Due to the low soil sealing (strip or point foundations), complete deconstruction is easy to implement.
Costs and prices
How high are the planning costs for a shipping container home in comparison with a conventional building?
In essence, Containerwerk is a pure producer of expanded modules but offers planning services on request via a network of architects and specialist planners who have experience with shipping container architecture. Alternatively, we are also pleased to advise the architect specified by the customer from service phase 1. The planning fees are based on the HOAI (Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers), the scope of services, the complexity, and the chargeable construction costs of the project. Thanks to pre-planned solutions and comprehensive detailed plans at Containerwerk, you save valuable time and planning costs in the implementation planning of the modules.
What is the cost of a dismantled container?
A ready-to-occupy, dismantled module based on a 40FT HC sea freight container with EnEV-compliant high-performance insulation, two large-format, triple-glazed aluminum facades, floor construction, and flooring, painted interior walls, basic lighting and electrical package, tiled, fully-equipped compact bathroom, and partial air conditioning costs EUR 35,000 net ex works. The cost per square meter GFA in this example is 1,178.45 EUR net per square meter. Other construction variants are also possible; we would be pleased to provide you with an individual offer.
What price certainty does modular construction offer?
The dimensions of the individual container are always the same and thus also the number of raw materials and materials required. A high degree of standardization with defined assembly and parts lists guarantees price certainty for all services on or in the module, which also accounts for the largest share of the total construction costs. A written quotation for the modules can thus be prepared within a very short time. Project-related requirements, such as the implementation of the structural engineer’s specifications, the condition of the foundations, or the furnishing of the modules, are calculated on a project-specific basis.
Starting from which number of containers does a modular construction become economically interesting?
Due to industrial processing, the associated setup times, and the project-related planning effort, smaller projects with different modules are usually not economical. For this reason, we also offer pre-planned modules as finished product solutions in various expansion stages. Our range extends from the insulated shell of the module ex-works, prepared for further interior work by the customer, to a ready-to-occupy module including bathroom, partial air-conditioning, electrics, and all surfaces, right through to the fully furnished module.
How much time is needed for the manufacture of a shipping container module, including disassembly and assembly?
Using our patented machine-applied insulation, a 40FT container is insulated in just two hours – including room-side finishing in the form of a gypsum fiberboard. The annual output is up to 3,000 containers, and in interior finishing up to 200 containers can be completed at the same time. The containers, which can be finished ready for occupancy on request, are placed on the existing foundations and connected to the media at the construction site within a very short time. In this way, construction times on site can usually be reduced to a third of the usual construction times.
How many years is the service life of a container module?
The service life for the original container has been studied within the framework of an expert opinion and is eighty years. By using corten steel, sea freight containers are absolutely weatherproof, saltwater resistant, and even surface rusted containers made of corten steel protect the underlying steel in the long term. Exterior painting or alternatively curtain walls/flat roof (the container is always wind and waterproof) can extend the service life almost indefinitely.
Can the type of use be changed for shipping container modular buildings?
Our modules remain mobile even after installation and can be transported with standard logistics and moved or replaced with the help of a truck-mounted crane. In this way, existing modules can be replaced by new modules with a different use, or additional modules can be added. If one wishes to replace individual modules, even those placed at the bottom, in taller buildings, this is also possible: with a building in container hybrid construction. In this case, the modules are pushed into a grid of precast concrete elements, which is comparable, in simple terms, to an oversized high rack.
What are the depreciation periods of the shipping container modules?
Depreciation is the same as for a conventionally constructed building. However, under certain conditions, the container can be classified as a movable asset – and is thus fully leasable over a term of 84 months.
Does Containerwerk also offer leasing of the modules?
It would be our pleasure to put you in touch with an external leasing expert who is familiar with container projects and can draw up a tailor-made financing concept for you. By being a partner at your side, this expert reaches out to 25 renowned and excellent leasing banks and credit institutions for you.
Does Containerwerk also offer rental solutions?
Currently not yet. However, we are looking into the possibility of offering this in the future.
What warranties are provided by Containerwerk?
Containerwerk provides a five-year warranty on our shell of the module. For everything else, the statutory warranty applies.
Project process
What is the time span from order placement to project handover?
A modular grid with the shipping container modules enables fast and efficient planning. Available expert opinions, static calculations, and proven detailed solutions accelerate the planning process. Our serial production with standardized processes allows us to build all year round, regardless of weather conditions. The very high degree of prefabrication of the modules (over ninety percent) enables an enormously short construction time on site. All in all, this shortens the construction process by around seventy percent compared to conventional construction methods.
How long are the construction times in the plant and on-site?
It only takes two hours to mechanically insulate a 40FT sea freight container, including finishing the room side with a gypsum fiberboard. Depending on the production capacity utilization, the scope of the finishing work, and the time of production release, the production time for a project with, for example, twenty modules is around three months from the release of the detailed design. The modules, which can be ready for occupancy on request, are placed on the prepared foundations and connected on-site in just a few days. Construction times can usually be reduced to a third of the usual construction schedule.
Who should take care of the design and approval planning for a shipping container modular building?
Generally, we offer you the following options: Either we advise the architect commissioned by you from service phase 1 onwards so that he can take container-specific features into account at an early stage. Alternatively, we provide architects and specialist planners experienced with shipping container projects from our network or plan your project in-house. Containerwerk takes care of the implementation planning.
According to HOAI, which service phases can an external architect realize?
An external architect can provide service phases 1 to 4. This involves us advising the architect from the start of the project and providing comprehensive plans and expert reports so that the container-specific features are taken into account at an early stage. Starting from phase 5, namely the implementation planning, Containerwerk takes over all planning services.
Where are the modules produced?
Our production site is located in Wassenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia. On our 40,000-square-meter company premises and in our roughly 13,000-square-meter hall areas, we can develop up to 200 modules simultaneously for a total capacity of up to 3,000 modules per year.
What quality management processes are in place at Containerwerk?
Our production plant produces the modules under consistently optimal conditions, regardless of the weather. Due to machine processing, the interior is precisely manufactured to the millimeter, and prefabricated elements for interior finishing can be installed quickly and with a perfect fit. Our production process is subject to continuous quality controls and factory acceptance by the client and architect prior to delivery. Qualified specialist personnel and suppliers with many years of experience are further guarantees of quality.
Should I expect restrictions, noise pollution, and emissions at the construction site?
Due to the high degree of prefabrication, the modules are delivered, installed, and connected to the existing connections and foundations on-site within a short time. Project-related work on site can include, for example, the installation of a prefabricated flat roof, finishing work on interconnected modules, or the commissioning of the technical building equipment.
What is the delivery and assembly procedure?
If desired, our modules can be delivered directly to the construction site via standard logistics. These modules are assembled using a heavy-duty crane. For this purpose, the accessibility and ground load-bearing capacity must be taken into account. The final assembly, commissioning and acceptance on site are carried out by trained assembly teams from our network.
When will the building be ready for occupancy?
The modules are set down on the prefabricated foundations within a few hours and connected to the existing connections for water, sewage, and electrics.
Is it possible to build all year round?
Due to the manufacturing of the modules in our halls, constant conditions prevail during the production of the modules throughout the year. Delivery is not dependent on the weather.
About Containerwerk
The company CONTAINERWERK eins GmbH, with sites in Wassenberg and Stuttgart, employ innovative, automated, series production techniques to convert disused sea freight containers into long-lasting, high-quality living space. As a result, the company that was founded in 2017 is making increasing inroads into the market for contemporary building/living space modules. The container modules are characterised by a high degree of mobility.
We are a container plant. Developer, designer and maker. We have answers to housing shortages, inexpensive, resource-saving and contemporary living sought and found.
In the interests of the circular economy and ecological and social sustainability, Containerwerk acquires used ocean freight containers and refines the corpus into high-quality and inexpensive living space.
We were convinced and fascinated by the idea of building with used sea freight containers
we first deal with the building block, the "brick" of this architecture process developed that turns a container into a universal, sustainable living module.
| Address | Forster Weg 40, 41849 Wassenberg, Germany | |
| Phone | +49 711 99889620 | |
| https://www.instagram.com/containerwerk | ||
| https://www.facebook.com/containerwerk | ||
| Website | https://www.containerwerk.com |
"My Home" shipping container tiny homes village contact info
| Address | Theodor-Heuss-Straße 31, 97877 Wertheim, Germany | |
| Phone | +4917623664418 | |
| https://www.instagram.com/myhomewertheim/ | ||
| https://www.facebook.com/MY-HOME-Wohnen-auf-Zeit-in-Wertheim-115870773130576/ | ||
| info@wertheim-waz.de | ||
| Website | https://www.waz-wertheim.de/ |
Shipping Container Tiny Homes Village, Germany