The number of ‘container buildings’ is increasing worldwide. The restaurant where we had food, the holiday home where we spent our vacation, the swimming pool where we enjoyed ourselves during a tour — all these could possibly be made from containers. Container home in Kerala is gaining popularity these days.
Not only small modular or portable structures, but also luxury houses, vacation homes, farmhouses, resorts, restaurants, and even swimming pools are now being built using containers. This has become a new trend. Let us see whether this ‘Container Home’ idea is feasible in Kerala, checking different factors.
Know More About Container Home
In the near future, two terms are likely to become very common in the construction sector: ‘Architainer’ and ‘Cargotecture’. ‘Architainer’ is a word formed by combining ‘architecture’ and ‘container’, while ‘cargotecture’ combines ‘cargo’ and ‘architecture’. These terms refer to a style of construction in which shipping containers are used as the primary building material.
Why Containers?
What are the advantages of using containers to build houses or other structures? Container construction offers many benefits, ranging from speed to legal convenience.
A 1000–1500 square foot “container home” can be completed within just two or three months. These structures can also be relocated and reinstalled elsewhere whenever needed. In places where there are legal restrictions on constructing permanent civil structures, container buildings can be set up as temporary structures.
Since shipping containers can be reused, they are also considered part of sustainable construction practices.
A Crane Is Needed at the Site
Containers are usually transported to the site on large trailers. A crane is required to unload and place them in position. Therefore, container buildings can only be constructed in locations connected by roads wide enough for both the trailer and crane to access.
If electric lines become an obstruction, they may need to be temporarily removed. Transportation costs also increase with distance, and this additional expense must be borne by the homeowner.
Where Can You Get Containers?
There are agencies near all the major ports in India that supply containers. Both new and used containers are available there. You can pick them based on budget and purpose. Containers are made using GI (galvanized iron) and rust-resistant alloy materials.
A new container measuring 20 × 8 × 9.5 feet costs from around ₹2.75 lakh onward. A 40 × 8 × 9.5 feet container costs between ₹4.5 lakh and ₹5.5 lakh. Shipping containers are not manufactured in India; most of them are imported from China.
At the same time, used containers can be purchased for around ₹50,000. They are available at the lowest prices in the ports of Mumbai and Visakhapatnam. If you are looking forward to a temporary setup, you can give it a try.
Will the Cost Decrease or Increase in Kerala?
If a building is constructed using containers in their original form, the cost can be reduced significantly. The expense may come to less than ₹1,000 per square foot.
However, in hot regions like Kerala, living inside container buildings without proper heat insulation is not easy. To reduce heat inside the container, materials such as rock wool, polyethylene sheets, and wooden paneling are installed, which increases the cost. A well-insulated container house with completed interiors may cost around ₹3,000–4,000 per square foot.
Container buildings can be constructed either as permanent or temporary structures. The building rules of Kerala Panchayats and Municipalities do not specifically mention container homes. However, if the structure follows the standards required for permanent construction — such as setback rules, height regulations, structural strength, and durability — building permits can be obtained for container buildings.
There are already many such container homes in Kerala. During times when we are spending a lifetime’s earnings to build our dream homes, why can’t we try an alternative?
Also read: Best Options for Doors to Reduce Expenses
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