Containers are used to transport goods around the world, accounting for approximately 90% of all their movement from side to side. In addition to the usage time being observed for their disposal, often the return of the container becomes economically unviable, and thus there is a considerable volume of containers waiting to be used. There is a strong appeal for sustainability in its use, from the use of such noble discarded material (and generating so-called container graveyards) to the economics of natural resources such as sand, brick, cement, water, and the development of a more complex work. clean, with debris reduction. Also noteworthy is the possibility of using terrain with different profiles, and greater respect for its natural relief, avoiding very drastic interference. Containers are produced following a standard (6 and 12 meters), which allows modulation and stacking, facilitating transport and construction planning. However, this modulation is far from impeding creativity in its use, and the final modulation can still be carried around.
Containers are extremely sturdy steel structures that allow, in addition to the modulation highlighted above, the use of numerous solutions for their exterior and interior lining, creating environments for various purposes such as museums, villas, annexes, and have even been used for shelters. people after disasters, due to the rapid development of the final work and easy habitability. It receives, as in the case of masonry constructions, solutions for rainwater collection, solar panels, green roof. A major concern for those who imagine containers as housing is the acoustic and thermal issue, but the same solutions studied and designed in masonry constructions fit the use of this joker. However, it is noteworthy that these solutions require specialized labor, but even these extra costs do not take advantage of these constructions over masonry when it comes to the final cost of construction. Europe and the United States of America already use the containers at full strength and, gradually but definitely, this idea is coming to Brazil.
Thus, to honor a couple who love to travel around the world, is glazed in music and photography, lives in the constant presence of friends, good wines and books, the best option found to create a unique space with many aesthetic and functional possibilities was the use of containers to create a beautiful loft.
The space was designed with three containers totaling 89m2. The project followed a strong industrial style in the interior finishes and furniture, with sophisticated pieces, as well as an excellent lighting project. For its beauty, the original floor of the container was maintained, a naval plywood that remained intact even under heavy use, and the apparent ceiling enhancing the original plate. Still on the ceiling, the “it” was the installation of an old guard railing of the work itself, rescued in the rubble bucket by the professional. Externally the containers were covered by thermal blanket and sandwich tile, for thermal and acoustic protection.
The loft housed integrated living, reading and music spaces, furnished with a large ‘L’ sofa that features 70% PET plaid fabric lining, anti-allergic wool rug and MDF paneling with various sized book and adornment niches, and , rack for TV and sound. The coffee table was produced with reused glass plate. Positioned in front of the large glass and aluminum frame window (two fixed sill sheets and two sliding sheets) (which received reused shutters with new footage), the music / reading room and home office received two smooth fabric armchairs, also developed with PET, furniture for old LP´s (architect’s drawing), photographs of New York in pictures of the private collection, besides a beautiful sculpture, head, on a dresser in marquetry, next to the sculpture of Athos, the good dog, in demountable parts. In the kitchen, the cabinet made of wood MDF containing a cooktop stove and stone countertop was fitted over steel structure profile “i” (old reused waste). This structure received a large dining table in front of it, with solid wood stools and small seat. Laterally, a round table with reused glass top and three leather chairs, personal collection, were fitted. In the front of the kitchen a window was projected positioned in the old door of one of the containers (with shutter also reused in new footage); This side also received the refrigerator, electronics and countertop positioned under the window, in stone with carved bowl.
The L-shaped area adjoining the kitchen was lined with wood MDF, housing the door to the service area, which received marble floors, tank with carved stone bowl, washer and cabinets in wood MDF. The social bathroom was fitted in this same area in L, receiving marble floor and stone countertop with overlap, mounted on tubular steel structures with pulleys, industrial style, designed by the architect.
The suite received a large MDF cabinet fitted into the living room panel. The box bed received panel lined in black canvas (4.60m x 1.20m). The bedroom and bathroom windows were positioned on the old container doors (and also received reused shutters with new footage). Beside the bed are contemporary paintings, a glossy black leather reading armchair with a stool and a standing lamp restored by the architect from a former commercial hair dryer. The suite’s bathroom was fitted with a metal-framed glass door, marble floor, colorless glass enclosure, resin tub, and overlapping stone countertop mounted on tubular steel structures with industrial-style pulleys, designed by the architect. On this mount, beautiful classic mirror with golden frame.
The star of the loft, however, was the internal lining of the containers with BRASILIT cementitious sheets. The versatility of the product allowed a perfect alignment in the lining, without the use of joints or paint, in a final finish, with excellent cost / benefit. It is noteworthy that the cement slabs were used to cover most of the project, in rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and service area. The plates were screwed into steel profiles, with apparent hexagon head screw, with horizontal and vertical alignment, generating a “rhythm”. The grayish color of the plates reinforced the loft’s industrial style while retaining its elegance and original proposal. By Cioli Stancioli.