When it comes to urban architecture these days, sustainability is a trend that shows absolutely no signs of stopping. The challenge, of course, is to design something that repurposes existing materials without offending the environment or one’s aesthetic principles. Perhaps that’s why modular dwellings made from shipping containers have been quick to catch on recently.
The latest such entry from this growing subgenre of sustainable architecture comes from Danish firm Arkitema, which recently unveiled its new “Beat Box” concept in partnership with Container Living. Comprising 30 apartments in 48 shipping containers sitting on a steel frame above a concrete base that will house storefronts, it’s a deliberate effort to revitalize the Musicon (named in part for its proximity to Roskilde’s annual music festival) neighborhood of Roskilde, Denmark. Each container occupies 30 square meters, and two-container apartments are set to make up most of the site.
Lest one worry that living in a converted industrial storage space will lack modern comforts, Arkitema has that covered as well: In addition to finished interiors, each unit features insulation, natural light from windows facing major streets in the district, balconies, and other amenities that make an otherwise cold and sterile space feel like home.
Given that the Musicon district’s current most notable structure is a concrete factory, the brightly colored containers will lend the area a newfound vibrancy that doesn’t clash with its current industrial aesthetic.
That’s not to mention the more practical benefits. According to its announcement, Arkitema describes Beat Box as “flexible, fast, and environmentally and economically viable,” capable of fitting the needs of both an evolving clientele and other urban design factors. With so many of these “housing units” waiting to be converted for use, it’s probably a given that the volume of such Beat Boxes will increase in the years to come.
