One More Use for a 40′ Ocean Container

University of Auburn architecture students turned an ocean container into temporary housing for a displaced Katrina victim.

The 8-foot-by-40-foot container was being installed for her Wednesday, said Bob Grant, a spokesman for Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design & Construction. It has 320 square feet of living space with a room partition that swings against the wall.

Grant said the students obtained input from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Gulfport officials’ approval before installing the container. The city had regulations that had to be met. FEMA was concerned about its safety and if it was structurally sound, Grant said.

The container conversion idea has been explored by other designers in the past because containers, usually stacked on waterfronts and railyards, are designed to be weather tight and withstand harsh environmental conditions. Also, the containers weigh tons and can withstand being moved often.

Sources - Daily Comet and AP photo