Low Income Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdam

Inspired by a recent article by Brian Handwerk in the National Geographic, I thought it would be interesting to explore the different ways used Shipping Containers are being recycled into green, low income affordable housing in Amsterdam.

There are currently over 18 million used Shipping Containers in the world, with over 2 million sitting idly at any moment (mostly in the United States). That leaves many more at ports around the world; either waiting to be refilled and sent to their next destination, or left to rust in ship yards awaiting their fate.

Here at Shipped.com, we think that Shipping Containers, once they’ve served their initial purpose, deserve a better fate. And we’re trying to spread the word that aftermarket, used shipping containers can be repurposed into all sorts of structures, from housing for power plants (like we wrote about in a previous article), to portable apartments, greenhouses or in this case, a low income shipping container housing project in Amsterdam.

The builders behind this project were Tempohousing, pioneers in prefabricated shipping container housing.

Once the containers have been located and purchased, they’re cleaned and refurbished with flooring, insulation, air conditioning, electricity, plumbing, and other modern conveniences. The construction / modification costs are only a fraction of what a new building would cost and the results are the beautifully colorful, affordable dwellings you see in these photos. And though the spaces may seem small, they’re utilitarian, durable and appreciated by the (mostly) low income students who inhabit them. And the real beauty is that they’re built with materials that are already made and have served a prior purpose shipping goods around the world.

The uniform size makes them easy and inexpensive to transport. And they’re converted into all sorts of different structures due to their easy stackability. Most recently, Starbucks and Taco Bell have made headlines by converting used shipping containers into green, recycled restaurants; and in the latter’s case, a portable unit, unveiling it at the recent SXSW.

Today, more than half of the people on earth live in cities, with that number rising to 60% by 2030. In some regions that number is closer to 90%. The lack of clean, sustainably developed cities was a primary topic of the Rio+ 20 conference that took place a few years ago. We think by recycling used shipping containers and converting them into unique, beautifully affordable housing, it’s a step in the right direction to dealing with that issue.

Has this article motivated you to find a shipping container and start creating your own shipping container apartment complex?  Or perhaps a smaller version of what you see here in Amsterdam? Sourcing containers from sellers worldwide just got a whole lot easier. Whether you’re in Amsterdam or Atlanta, The Shipped.com Marketplace connects buyers and sellers from all over the world, enabling you to get the lowest price possible along with the fastest delivery time. You can sign up in seconds and within minutes sellers worldwide will be sending you their very best offers on exactly what you’re looking for. You’ll have your choice of the highest quality shipping containers at the lowest possible prices. Visit the Shipped.com Marketplace and submit your container request now.

Once your containers arrive, contact us and we’ll be happy to point you in the direction of people who can help you get started creating your own shipping container home.

Your comments, tweets, emails and phone calls are valuable and important. So if you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding this blog or Shipped.com in general, we’d love to hear from you.

Photos courtesy of National Geographic

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

The containers loaded and on their way

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

Affordable Shipping Container Housing in Amsterdan

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