Shipping containers have become a popular solution for creating unique and functional workspaces, including offices. Whether you want to work from home or create a functional meeting and workspace for your team, shipping containers offer flexible solutions.
Building a shipping container office can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to create a custom workspace that meets your specific needs. This guide will explain how to plan, design, and build your own shipping container office.
Why shipping containers?
Shipping containers can be used as building blocks for all kinds of structures: a workshop or studio, a start-up business office, a personal home office, a collaborative co-working space, and more.
Containers are popular workspace solutions for many reasons. First, they may be much more cost-effective than leasing or buying traditional office space.
Containers are easy to transport, so if you need a temporary workspace with a basic office design, a container site office can meet that need. A portable office shipping container is a sound lifestyle investment because you can simply load it up and transport it to the next site when it’s time to move on.
People also choose container structures for their sustainability. Compared to traditional builds, a shipping container can be a more eco-friendly option. Hundreds of thousands of shipping containers fall out of use after a single cargo trip because it doesn’t make financial sense to ship them back to their point of origin empty.
This is where companies like Gateway come in; we are one of a select few companies that work directly with shipping lines to secure new and used containers and offer them to consumers who will give them new life.
Shipping containers also make good office spaces because they are extremely versatile. You can customise your shipping container’s functionality and aesthetic to suit your unique needs.
Gateway specialises in custom shipping container modifications; we can create custom solutions just for you. Your container is essentially a blank slate you can transform into virtually any office or workspace you can dream of!
Choosing the right container for your shipping container office conversion
Building your perfect container office or workspace begins with selecting the right container.
Size
The first decision you’ll need to make is what size container office you want to build. Shipping containers typically come in a range of standard sizes.
Most standard shipping container structures are 243.84 cm wide and 259.08 cm high, and 10-foot, 20-foot, or 40-foot in length.
But, there are also high cube containers and extra long containers for people who want something a bit bigger. So, how do you know what size container will suit your needs?
A 10 foot shipping container will provide approximately 6.6 square metres of space; a 20ft unit will provide roughly 13.8 square metres, and a 40 foot shipping container unit will provide about 28.2 square metres of space.
While a 10-foot container may be sufficient for a single person with minimal equipment and storage needs, if the space will be used by more than one person, you’ll likely need a 20 ft container.
An expert at Gateway can help you determine the right size storage container for your project so that you have the square footage you need.
Condition
It’s also important to know that shipping containers come in a variety of different conditions or grades.
New – Factory direct from Asia, your new container has been shipped to Australia containing cargo in order to reduce shipping costs. These new units are often referred to as “one-way” new builds.
A Grade – Previously used, but in good condition and suitable for furniture or archive storage. Average age of unit would be 12-14 years.
Cargo Worthy – These containers are fresh out of service from shipping lines, and will be wind and watertight, vermin-proof and structurally-sound.
The experts at Gateway Containers can help you understand the different options available and help you choose the right container for your business needs.
Designing your dream container office space
Once you have your cargo container, it’s time to plan your office design. When designing your new space, think about how many people will be using the space, and how you will need it to function.
- Will this be your personal office, or a shared space for your team?
- Will you conduct meetings, give presentations, or do hands-on work?
When it comes to building your simple shipping container office, design challenges shouldn’t stress you out.
There are so many online resources that can help you out with cool designs. The internet is a treasure trove of inspiration, tutorials, and communities all about shipping container architecture.
Shipping container conversions: Building your office
Next, it’s time to turn your container office plans into reality.
Before your build can begin, you must secure the necessary permissions from your local council, ensure you are allowed to build a container office on your property, and ensure that your plans comply with local building codes and regulations.
Also consider the location of your shipping container office space. You may need to put your container home office on a concrete foundation to avoid problems with your container sinking into the ground.
To transform a steel shipping container into a functional office or workspace, you’ll need to perform some modifications. You’ll need windows for light and air flow, and secure doors. Gateway Containers performs these modifications as well as insulation, ventilation, electrical fitouts and power outlets, air conditioning, heating, and flooring.
You may wish to reclad or paint the exterior of the storage container, or add plumbing. If you want to make your simple shipping container office even more earth-friendly, you might want to add solar panels.
Lighting is an additional design element that is an extremely important aspect of any office or workspace. You need task lighting that will fully illuminate your working space without straining the eyes. Natural light is not only great to work by, but it also has been shown to have a significant effect on mood and productivity, so consider the placement of skylights and windows in your office’s bespoke design.
Consider which direction the windows face if you want to avoid the harsh glare from the sun. And, remember that there may be times when you want to be able to control the amount of light in your office, so you might want a dimmer, or adjustable window shades.
Final touches and move-in
When the necessary modifications and conversions have been completed, it’s time for the final touches required to complete your shipping container office, including finishes, furniture, office equipment, and décor. In most container offices, space is at a premium.
So, make smart use of space by including built-in shelving. Make use of vertical space on your walls for storing files or tools. You may wish to mount your computer monitor on the wall to clear space on your desk.
Go for desks and other large pieces that work with the shape of your new office space and don’t take up too much room. When possible, opt for pieces that double as storage.
Plants have been proven to boost mood, productivity, and concentration, making them a great addition to any workspace. You can even choose plants that help to purify the air around you. When choosing greenery for your workspace, consider how much natural light and care the plants will need; succulents, snake plants, zz plants, and parlour palms are conveniently low-maintenance options.
If you’re a start-up, you might want to build your brand by including your logo or brand colours as a focal point of your office decor.
Finally, if you plan to use your new cargo container office as a shared workspace, invest in partitions and sound-masking or noise-cancelling machines to give everyone a bit of privacy.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an artist in search of an airy studio or a work from home space, shipping containers can be the perfect solution. They are compact, portable or permanent, and supremely customisable to suit your lifestyle.
Gateway Containers has more than 25 years of experience buying, selling, and modifying shipping containers for people in Queensland and throughout Australia. We know your needs aren’t one-size-fits-all, so we work with you to craft a container solution that meets your needs and your budget.
We pride ourselves on our customer service and the high-quality workmanship that goes into all of the container modifications we perform. And, because we work directly with the shipping lines, we are pleased to be able to offer the best possible price to you.
Contact us and one of our container experts will work with you to learn about your goals and help you make your office a reality.
