Architecture

Indian cafe embodies "infinite possibilities" of shipping containers

Indian cafe embodies "infinite possibilities" of shipping containers
Café Infinity's shipping containers are shaped to form of an infinity symbol, with the idea being to highlight how containers have infinite possibilities as a structural unit
Café Infinity's shipping containers are shaped to form of an infinity symbol, with the idea being to highlight how containers have infinite possibilities as a structural unit
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Café Infinity's containers are painted orange and gray
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Café Infinity's containers are painted orange and gray
Café Infinity's containers have been heavily modified and tinted windows were added
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Café Infinity's containers have been heavily modified and tinted windows were added
"The design idea centers around two courtyards which comprises two cafe outlets in the front ,two dynamic staircases acting as seating and providing access to the viewing decks, services (toilets) at the central container, seating areas for faculty and visitors and a lounge area for students," explains RJDL
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"The design idea centers around two courtyards which comprises two cafe outlets in the front ,two dynamic staircases acting as seating and providing access to the viewing decks, services (toilets) at the central container, seating areas for faculty and visitors and a lounge area for students," explains RJDL
Café Infinity measures 2,880 sq ft (267 sq m)
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Café Infinity measures 2,880 sq ft (267 sq m)
Some of Café Infinity's containers are raised on steel supports
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Some of Café Infinity's containers are raised on steel supports
Café Infinity has insulation installed, in an attempt to mitigate the containers' poor performance and keep diners comfortable
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Café Infinity has insulation installed, in an attempt to mitigate the containers' poor performance and keep diners comfortable
Café Infinity's interior decor suits the containers' utilitarian appearance and is finished in fiber cement board and gypsum paneling
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Café Infinity's interior decor suits the containers' utilitarian appearance and is finished in fiber cement board and gypsum paneling
Café Infinity's interior also includes air-conditioning units and fans
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Café Infinity's interior also includes air-conditioning units and fans
Café Infinity's staircases double up as seating areas
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Café Infinity's staircases double up as seating areas
Café Infinity is made from a total of nine recycled shipping containers
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Café Infinity is made from a total of nine recycled shipping containers
Café Infinity's shipping containers are shaped to form of an infinity symbol, with the idea being to highlight how containers have infinite possibilities as a structural unit
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Café Infinity's shipping containers are shaped to form of an infinity symbol, with the idea being to highlight how containers have infinite possibilities as a structural unit
Café Infinity makes use of leftover container doors as louvers, which are used for shading
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Café Infinity makes use of leftover container doors as louvers, which are used for shading
Café Infinity is located in the grounds of the ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Café Infinity is located in the grounds of the ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Café Infinity measures 2,880 sq ft (267 sq m)
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Café Infinity measures 2,880 sq ft (267 sq m)
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Architects never seem to tire of experimenting with shipping containers, with projects like the Bahaus home and Amagansett Modular two recent examples of their enduring popularity. RJDL (Rahul Jain Design Lab) puts an interesting spin on the idea with Café Infinity, which forms an infinity symbol, reflecting the architect's belief that shipping containers offer infinite possibilities as a structural unit.

Café Infinity is located in the grounds of the ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, India, and is available to staff, students, and patients. It's made from a total of nine full-size 40-ft (12-m)-long containers that are painted orange and gray, and measures 2,880 sq ft (267 sq m) all in. The interior design suits the containers' utilitarian nature and consists of fiber cement board and gypsum paneling.

Café Infinity's interior decor suits the containers' utilitarian appearance and is finished in fiber cement board and gypsum paneling
Café Infinity's interior decor suits the containers' utilitarian appearance and is finished in fiber cement board and gypsum paneling

"The design idea centers around two courtyards which comprises two cafe outlets in the front, two dynamic staircases acting as seating and providing access to the viewing decks, services (toilets) at the central container, seating areas for faculty and visitors and a lounge area for students," explains RJDL.

Every time we report on a shipping container-based architecture project, we bring up their poor performance in the heat and cold, because it really is a serious issue with these things. RJDL sought to mitigate this by adding strategically-placed tinted windows and vents to allow for cross-ventilation, shading louvers made from leftover container doors, and insulation. Fans and air-conditioning are also installed.

Café Infinity is located in the grounds of the ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Café Infinity is located in the grounds of the ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

"The idea of using infinity was conceived to emphasize on the infinite possibilities of using a shipping container as a structural unit, regardless of the building type and site," adds RJDL. 'The facade due to the form factor exhibit playfulness in terms of material, movement and geometry when viewed from different sides. The flexibility, modularity and sustainability makes shipping containers a perfect alternate to the conventional building structures, to reduce the overall carbon footprint while also being an ecologically and economically viable solution."

Source: RJDL

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