Shipping Container Funhouse From Phooey Architects
by Kimberley D. Mok, Montreal, Canada 
on 07. 7.08
Image: Phooey Architects
What can’t the shipping container do? We know you can live in these fabulous prefab versions of shipping containers (such as the All-Terrain Cabin or Detroit's planned container condos by Steven Flum); you can shop in them (like in Freitag’s shipping container store in Zurich); you can even serve beer out of them (we like the industrial hipness of Melbourne’s Section 8 bar). Now, even more recycled fun can be had in Melbourne-based Phooey Architects’ shipping container playground, which revamps four shipping containers and other reclaimed materials into an attractive yet functional activity centre, designed to provide kids living in South Melbourne’s public housing with safe spaces to create art, dance and play.
Called the Skinners Playground, it is a low-cost, zero-waste project, using an array of recycled materials that range from the windows to the fasteners. Nothing is lost nor tossed: the playground’s structural and decorative components (such as stair railings, balconies and overhangs) derive from carefully sliced pieces of the original containers. All the interior spaces have openings, either offering views to the outside or to a well-placed sandpit. There’s even a bed of weeds that catches rainwater. It seems like a project with its heart in the right place – a kid-centric space and structure that can allow the community’s children to take an active part in building upon their imaginations.
Related Links on Recycled Shipping Containers
TreeHugger Picks: Shipping Containers Do More Than Ship
More on Shipping Container Housing
Container Condo To Be Built In Detroit
Port-a-Bach Shipping Container Holiday Home
FutureShack by Sean Godsell
Shipping Container PreFab
Images: The Cool Hunter, Inhabitat
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Reuse Those Plastic Cups As Earrings
- Recycled Plastic Workout Gear is Great for Fitness, Great for Planet
- Don't Recycle: Reuse Kitty Litter Containers Instead
- Surf Green with Eco-Friendly Surf Gear
- Does Recycling Really Make a Difference?
- How to Convince Your Family Contracting Business to Go Green
Wow!! this is really awesome and relaxing. But I'm afraid that it doesn not look so enough to let my kid going there.
i agree. . . looks kinda like they might get hurt or cut. . . But, the pictures are likely not doing it justice and i'm sure all the cut edges were rolled, etc.
Can't they also be used to inexpensive houseing???
I know I would love to live in one.
Zig