Architecture

28 containers transform orphanage in South Africa

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The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The project is among the more ambitious uses of shipping containers we've seen, using 28 containers in all (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
(Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
(Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
(Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Interior decor softens the effect (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Inside the vertical container mini-tower (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Inside the vertical container mini-tower (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Glancing at some of the interior shots, you'd hardly guess containers had been used (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The shipping containers were used as dormitories and living areas for the children (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
It's remarkable the difference a well-chosen carpet can make (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
One supposes the containers came without the wooden floors (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Portholes (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Circulation area (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
A carpeted landing (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Glancing at some of the interior shots, you'd hardly guess containers had been used (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Glancing at some of the interior shots, you'd hardly guess containers had been used (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The containers lend the orphanage a sense of fun (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Fun, decorative detail (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The containers lend the orphanage a sense of fun (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Welcome mosaic (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Cotainers were used vertically as well as horizontally (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Decorative wall (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The project used 28 containers in all (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Shaded patio area (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Shaded patio area (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Glazed and shuttered walls (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Glazed and shuttered walls (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
More decorative walls (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Bright colors add to the sense of fun (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
A fun, decorative detail (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
Solar shading can be seen applied to the windows (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
The New Jerusalem Orphanage at dusk (Photo: Dennis Guichard, commissioned by Safintra)
View gallery - 40 images

Having last looked at a temporary use of shipping containers as building blocks, with O+A's festival backdrop in Amsterdam, we're back in permanent territory (as permanent as new buildings are, that is) with 4D and A Architects' shipping container housing at New Jerusalem Orphanage at Gauteng, South Africa. The project is among the more ambitious uses of shipping containers we've seen, using 28 containers in all. Gizmag spoke briefly to its designers to find out more about it.

In an email to Gizmag, Mia Anfield of 4D and A wrote that the idea to use shipping containers came from the fact that two were already on site for storage. The company had already been interested in the work of Adam Kalkin, an American architect and prefabrication specialist who was among the first to put shipping containers to use as houses. The designers, it seems, simply put two and two together.

Completed in December, 2011, the entire construction period lasted six months, though Anfield points out that this was delayed by the arrival of materials to the site, many of which were donated. The project used 28 6- and 12-meter (20- and 40-foot) containers arranged both vertically and horizontally.

One consideration when building with shipping containers is thermal performance, particularly during cold weather or on hot, sunny days. We put this to Anfield, who said that design measures included "orientation of the building, timber screens constructed of eco-friendly composite decking, use of a roof garden for thermal mass and the inside walls and ceilings of the containers were clad in dry wall plus 50mm Isotherm foam insulation." The containers were raised on plinths to encourage the flow of air.

As part of the project, the old brick-built sleeping accommodation was converted into a new kitchen and dining room. The orphanage has also been fitting with solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.

Update September 7, 2013: This article has been amended, as the previously stated dimensions of the shipping containers, at 12 x 6 m, were incorrect.

Source: 4D and A, via Inhabitat

View gallery - 40 images
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10 comments
Slowburn
The problem with architects is that they are always trying to make a pretty picture. While I am glad that the children get the comforts provided I think more good could have been done had they used containers to create maximum inclosed floor space inside and between the containers.
I would have gone with all solar thermal and used Stirling cycle engines to generate electricity using stored heat and combustion to provide 24/7 power.
BigGoofyGuy
I think it is a very clever idea to use containers for the orphanage. I like the way it uses what they have to create a building.
Nantha
This is a beautiful idea. Orphans don't demand for much and here we see how they have built with little. I only hope that much care has been given to fire and health concerns.
I hope that this container approach gives rise to many more orphanages around the world. The best part is that these containers can be painted in beautiful colours!
Riaanh
I love it. I disagree with Slowburn, creative environments breeds creativity. (Just look at the Google offices) Growing up in a pretty and creative building will surely have a positive impact on these children.
Imagine the wonder on the face of a deprived oprhan seeing this building for the first time, and standing looking up into the tower.
Lynn Russell
While I think it is a great idea to use shipping containers for an orphanage, I have often wondered why they are not being used as temporary housing for the people in Haiti? The tents they are staying in offer very little protection from the environment and the people are unsafe from invasion.
Griffin
Hey,Slowburn- Built any orphanages lately? What good is "would have done"? I say it's a great job and they should make it beautiful and artistic! What point did the little bluebird sculpture have? What point did it have to have? Orphans need healing-not just housing.
This is a showcase work of art that illustrates what one of the ugliest industrial symbols of "waste in the name of efficiency" on this earth can become through Love and Art!
Hey, I say make inspiration-entertainment toys based on this that can teach and inspire junior "art-chitects" while helping raise funds and awareness for the real deal!
There is more to life than illusions of efficiency and busy-ness.
Doyle Dowd
The wooden floors look pretty standard for the containers I have seen.
Slowburn
Healing comes from people interacting in beneficial ways. The question of greatest good. Does giving 100 orphans luxurious accommodation do more good than merely giving 200 orphans safe dorms?
Sean Wall
Thanks for the wonderful comments, we can't keep everybody happy as art or architecture is subjective......when I entered the orphange once it was occupied, I found a newspaper article cut-out and stuck on the cupboard of one the orphans, she had written above the article "my new five star home" I think we achieved the unthinkable - a place of belonging
WagTheDog
Very impressive and artsy too! The ornate staircase looks more expensive than it needed to be, however. No mention of how many children live here, tho Slowburn mentioned 100 in his/her droll comment. I say skip the fancy $tuff and build hundreds more of these little beauties! The kids have got to love 'em.