Whether you need a temporary office on a building site or a well-equipped office in a remote location, shipping containers provide an ideal solution. Made of strong, sturdy steel, they are available in several different sizes offering limited options for mobile offices.
The concept of mobile offices is one that appeals to any business that requires on-site facilities for a limited period of time.
The biggest advantage of using shipping containers for mobile offices is that they may be used to provide instant office space anywhere. Conversions are quick and easy, and the full range of finishes will produce anything from a budget office set-up to bespoke designs that incorporate ablutions, conference rooms, and first aid facilities.
Other advantages include:
Shipping containers provide a shell for mobile offices. What you do with that shell depends on your needs and budget.
Generally, a single container – usually either a 20-foot or 40-foot unit – is the unit of choice. Both of these are only 2.438 m wide, which determines how the office is laid out. But with imagination and creativity, multiple desks and workstations can be accommodated.
Since mobile offices are created in a factory environment often thousands of kilometres away from the final (albeit temporary) destination, it is just as simple to double up on space by using two containers side-by-side to give added width. Alternatively, they may be stacked to create a double storey arrangement.
Almar has more than 25 years experience in the container industry and we pride ourselves on the practical, cost-effective solutions we are able to provide in Africa and the Middle East.
Our in-house engineers and experienced designers are ready to make your ideas a reality that will meet your own very specific needs. We will customize your mobile offices with shelving, carpeting, electrical points and lighting fixtures, and security features. You decide whether you need insulation and air conditioning and/or heating.
Shipping containers are ideal for ablution units in remote locations, for construction sites, or even as bathroom facilities at camping and other outdoor venues, both permanent and temporary.
Ablution containers may be customized, assembled in the factory, and then delivered to site in a lot less time than it takes for a container that is to be converted for accommodation or for office space.
They are self-contained and the size is perfect. If you need more toilets, urinals, basins, or showers than you can fit into one container, you can utilize two or more, separating them for use by either men or women. They may even be designed to fit alongside each other with access between the container units.
Ablution containers are usually converted from general purpose shipping containers that are used for dry freight or storage. These come in three standard sizes:
The 20-foot and 40-foot containers are also available as high cubes which are 2.896 m high.
All these sizes are suitable for conversion to toilet ablution facilities.
Like any container conversion, ablution containers are designed with doors and windows to create light and bright spaces that may be cleaned easily. The steel is cut to accommodate the openings that are then fitted and welded in place. These commonly have aluminium frames which are lighter than mild steel.
Internal cladding is fitted and then either painted with a good quality product that can be scrubbed, or tiled. Hygienic, easy-to-clean flooring is fitted over the existing container floor. When mirrors are included, this adds visual space to the ablution container.
Unless the containers are new, the outside of converted ablution containers should be given a good quality rust-proof coating prior to painting the exterior.
Of course, the most essential elements for ablution containers are electrics and plumbing. For this reason, plumbing is integrated into the design as is the electrical fuse board. Power sockets and lights are fitted in the factory environment, prior to shipping. So, when the unit is delivered, the electric wiring is easily connected to the electrical connection and the plumbing pipes and fittings are connected to the sewer and mains water. In some remote location where mains water is not available, tanks are used. Chemical toilets may be used if it is not possible to connect to a sewer.
The size of the shipping container used will determine how many toilets and/or urinals may be included in the design. Of course, if separate toilet cubicles with doors are to be incorporated this will affect the design dimensions. Urinals and basins are not commonly sited in cubicles.
When customers opt for unisex ablution containers, the container is divided by an internal wall and separate doors are installed, one for men and one for women.
Almar’s shipping containers are strong and secure and they may be converted into just about anything from homes with en-suite bathrooms to stand-along ablution facilities. They are ideal for remote locations were the best solution is a plug-and-play design.
If you need ablution containers in South Africa, Kenya, or in the Middle East, contact us to see how we can help you.
Steel shipping containers are all much of a muchness – sturdy boxes designed to transport and store every possible type of freight.
There are, of course, containers for different purposes, like those for dry freight or storage, and reefers that are manufactured specifically for the storage and transportation of refrigerated goods. There are also specialised containers that are intended for shipping unconventional or oversized cargo.
But container design takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to conversion products. Today, storage containers are not only used to transport and store goods, they are also used in the construction industry to form a basic shell for houses and apartments, and for on-site facilities, as well as to provide sleeping and office accommodation, conference or training rooms, and clinics and medical facilities in remote areas.
All containers must be designed and manufactured according to very specific international standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
General purpose (GP) dry-freight containers are most commonly used for conversion purposes, and they must be manufactured and tested according to ISO 1496-1 : 1990 (E), Series 1 freight containers – Specification and testing – Part 1: General cargo containers for general purposes. The scope of this standard covers GP containers that are totally enclosed and suitable for international conveyance by sea, road, or rail. They may be:
The standard specifies the internal and external dimensions of GP containers as well as the relevant tolerances. There are also specifications for corner fittings, the structure of the base of each unit, as well as end structure, side structure, walls, and door openings.
General container design requirements state that containers must be capable of fulfilling certain requirements, including:
Testing procedures are also detailed in ISO 1496-1 : 1990 (E) including a test for stacking a fully loaded container, lifting a container from the four top corner fittings, and another for lifting a container from the four bottom corner fittings. There are also procedures for a further 10 tests, to test longitudinal restraint, the strength of the end walls, side walls, and strength of the roof, as well as floor strength, transverse and longitudinal rigidity, “weatherproofness”, and for lifting from fork-lift pockets and from the base at grappler arm positions where these are fitted.
These strict design requirements ensure that containers are strong, secure, and long lasting, making them ideal, not only for transportation and storage purposes but for container conversions as well.
The use of steel dry freight GP shipping containers for architectural structures is as varied as the types of cargo they may be used for. They have been used for bespoke shops, offices, and designer homes. Ingenious designers have turned single units into reception areas, booths for parking attendants, coffee shops, hairdressing salons, and getaway retreats. More challenging designs incorporate multiple containers that are sometimes stacked or angled to create living or office space.
A Canadian company has caused a stir by repurposing used containers for hot tubs and swimming pools! These may be installed either below or above the ground.
Almar offers the full range of container solutions for storage and transportation, including reefers and specialized containers. We also supply plug and play container solutions for workshops, clinics, accommodation, offices, ablution blocks, and training rooms that we often supply to remote regions in Southern and East Africa as well as the Middle East.
All our containers meet ISO specifications, and those we convert are handled by our in-house engineering team and container design experts. How can we help you?
There is no doubt that the popularity of steel shipping containers for offices and accommodation is growing rapidly. But are container conversions prices really a lot less than the costs involved in traditional construction methods?
Generally, shipping container conversions are cost-effective and they are a lot quicker to complete than traditional structures, particularly buildings made with bricks or blocks and mortar. They don’t require extensive foundations and are particularly useful on sloping land where traditional housing becomes expensive. So yes, shipping container conversions prices are lower than regular buildings – unless the finishes and fittings used are very expensive.
They also have their own unique advantages.
For instance, steel shipping containers are exceptionally strong and durable and will last a very long time. They are generally resistant to fire, mould, and bugs like termites which is favourable when assessing container conversions prices.
Units can be converted in a factory and delivered to site for completion. This might include cladding and roofing as well as connection to water supply and electricity. It can take as little as three weeks to fabricate in a factory environment. Completion time will depend on the complexity of the design and whether steel reinforcement and/or welding is required.
The first of London’s famous container cities was erected in the Docklands in 2001, and it took only five months for the developers to complete 12 work studios in the three-storey structure. Soon after, a fourth floor comprising apartments and studios was added.
Another of the advantages of using shipping containers for housing is that, because they are modular, they allow for flexibility and avant-garde creativity. They can be placed alongside one another or stacked, and sides can be removed to increase the dimensions of spaces. Also, it is very easy to combine containers with traditional building materials. Obviously, the more containers that are incorporated in the design, the higher the total shipping container cost will be. But then incorporating traditional building materials will also increase cost, not just of the materials but of on-site labour too.
It is possible to cut costs even more by using old steel shipping containers, although many companies that specialize in container conversions prefer to use new units. That will, of course, also increase the shipping container cost. It is worth noting that London’s Container City was constructed from recycled containers, and recycled materials made up 80 percent of the total building materials used. This reduced the container conversions prices dramatically.
Old shipping containers are often dented and there may be some rust. They might affect their structural integrity. If they have been coated with lead-based paint to protect them from saltwater these surfaces will have to be covered for safety. It is, though, usual for designers to incorporate a new floor, ceiling, and both internal and external wall cladding in converted containers.
It can be difficult to fit extensive heating and cooling systems in shipping container buildings. But if insulation is included at the outset, this needn’t be a problem.
There are a growing number of construction companies in southern Africa that specialise in shipping container conversions. Most will deliver the partially finished containers to the site and then complete the building on site. So the basic shell can be assembled in just one day, while the finishes will take about three months, depending on the design.
Some provide “plug & play” options that may even include furniture. The container building is delivered to site and simply has to be connected to the services including water and electricity.
Almar Container Group offers “plug & play” solutions that are popular for office and accommodation use, particularly in remote areas of Africa and the Middle East. The company also supplies containers to construction companies that specialise in container conversions, including those that manufacture up-market dwellings. Call us today to see how we can help you.
Robust and modular, steel shipping containers are strong and secure and ideal for a range of uses from transportation and storage to workshops and clinics. Because they are easy to move, container offices are also great for remote locations whether they are planned as permanent or temporary structures.
The most obvious benefit of container offices is that they are generally cheaper to construct than either bricks-and-mortar or even steel or timber frame structures. Experience shows that it is possible to save as much as 60 percent by using shipping containers for offices and office complexes. That said, like every other type of structure, the final cost will depend largely on fixtures and fittings, as well as the cladding and insulation (if any) used. Obviously, doors, windows, plumbing, electric wiring, paint, and other features will all add to the cost. But a basic structure will always come in a lot less than any other type of office building.
Customized design is an advantage that goes hand-in-hand with finishes. You can decide exactly what meets your needs and customize the interior and exterior (with cladding if you wish) to create a unique office environment however luxurious or utilitarian you want it to be.
Container offices can also be put together much, much faster than traditional offices. While stacking containers to achieve two- or multi-storey buildings will take longer than just creating a single office unit with one container, so too will a multi-storey office built out of traditional materials. It’s all relative. Similarly, while finishes can add to cost, they can also add on time. For instance, if containers have to be cut and welded to form larger spaces, or multiple doors and windows need to be fitted, this will add construction time to the project. But, and this is a biggie, if the work is done prior to delivery on site then construction will still be considerably quicker, and disruption on site will be minimised. Having this kind of work done prior to delivery on site also minimises labour costs.
Another great benefit of container offices is their mobility. They can be transported to any remote site, and then moved again if the office is needed for another project. This makes them particularly popular in the building industry and in related fields.
Container offices are also eco-friendly since they are recycled and have a very limited footprint.
Headquartered in Durban, Almar has offices and production facilities in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and in the Middle East. We specialise in plug-and-play solutions for remote locations including office accommodation and container buildings that are suitable for medical and other facilities.
If this persuades you to literally think out of the box, contact the friendly team at Almar to find out how we can help you with your container offices. We will help you save time and money, especially if you need an office for a remote location.
There is no doubt that shipping container buildings are trending worldwide right now. People are using them for offices, shops, and homes, sometimes retaining the look and industrial feel of the insulated shipping container, sometimes stripping so much away most people would have no idea that the basic structure of the house was, in fact, a series of mobile storage units. But how do you go about building a container home, and how do you go about generating shipping container home plans?
Whether you are planning to use a dozen or more converted shipping containers or just one single unit, before you even start thinking about plans you need to familiarize yourself with local building regulations. In South Africa, for instance, the National Building Regulations require anyone building a house that does not follow standard construction principles to have an agrément certificate that confirms “fitness-for-purpose” of materials and components.
The building regulations also require a “competent person” who is essentially a person who is qualified and has the necessary experience to prepare the design (or plans). That person, usually an architect or engineer, will also have to ensure that the design meets the requirements of SANS 10400, a series of detailed documents that specify the requirements of the regulations, from structural design and foundations to glazing and fire protection, allowing for deviations specified in the agrément certificate.
If you want to buy shipping containers that can be converted, you really will need to use the services of a designer or architect who has the specialised knowledge relating to insulating and ventilating metal containers. Alternatively, you could find companies that offer shipping container homes for sale. Just check that their shipping container home plans have been drawn in accordance with the local authority bylaws and the country’s building regulations.
Whether you are planning to buy ready-converted shipping containers or simply an ISO container that was previously used for mobile storage, it’s a good idea to look at photographs of shipping container buildings as well as shipping container home plans that are available on the Internet. Even if you can’t use these as is (in most cases you will have to have existing plans redrawn, at very least to show the converted shipping containers on the required site plan), they will give you some idea of just how container homes can be configured. Existing shipping container home plans will also show you how fixtures, fittings, and furniture can be laid out.
Shipping container home plans can be drawn in so many different ways, accommodating as many containers needed, either on one or multiple levels. The plans can have containers:
The options really are endless.
Almar Container Group offers converted shipping containers that are suitable for offices, clinics, workshops, training and boardrooms, as well as accommodation facilities. We specialise in plug and play solutions for remote locations in Africa and the Middle East.
Almar has more than 25 years of experience in the container industry and has an in-house team of designers and engineers that handles all our conversions. Call us today to see what we can do for you.
If you are considering office container hire as an option for office accommodation, leasing a converted container could be the best choice for you.
Of course, you could have a look at available storage containers for rent and then do your own conversion. Or you could simply find an ordinary office to rent! But there is absolutely no doubt that if you like the idea of using a converted container this could be the best decision you have ever made, particularly if it is for a limited time only.
Like everything else in life, when it comes to shipping container rental options, you need to consider your needs. For example, container hire of standard-sized units is the route most businesses wanting to transport goods will use, although refrigerated containers will be needed for perishable cargo. Storage containers for rent are ideal for any area where space is tight. They can also be used to create instant warehousing. Refrigerated containers, in the form of 6 or 12 m-long domestic reefers, are available from some suppliers with additional features that cater for static storage. These include emergency exit doors, internal lighting, and man-trap alarms.
But if you need something that will enable you to either create or add to existing office accommodation, then a converted unit or more will best meet your needs. Unless you need permanent facilities, a major advantage is that you can return the converted container at any time, which can be a great help to overall cash flow. They are particularly well-suited for remote areas where they provide turnkey solutions to solve what might otherwise be huge challenges.
All shipping containers are strong and secure; they are also modular, which means they can be stored in any space. It is also possible to modify and convert them to a multitude of uses, including office space and for convenient accommodation.
Office container hire is also incredibly versatile as container rental may be for just one individual unit, or it might be for multiple units that provide offices for a large staff contingent, possibly with workshops and communal areas, and probably with bathroom, toilet, and kitchen facilities. These options are generally available from reputable, well-established companies that provide shipping containers for sale and to lease.
Almar Container Group offers a range of office container solutions as well as converted container rental of units that are fitted to meet ablution needs. Workshop and other specialised configurations, for instance for clinics, are also available.
The company specialises in remote site accommodation – for work and sleep – and gives customers the opportunity to on-hire and then off-hire in any of the countries of operation, even if these are different.
Conversions are carried out by an experienced in-house team comprising engineers and design professionals and can be tailored to meet any company’s needs.
Almar has a strong presence across southern and eastern Africa, particularly Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa. The company also has a strong footprint in the Middle East. Contact us for more information and pricing.
Shipping containers are versatile “boxes” that that can be used as-is, with just a few fixtures and fittings inside, for innovative pop-up shops. Instead of tying yourself into a typically lengthy, and relatively costly lease for premises, shipping container rental is an effective alternative that gives you freedom too.
Take your pop-up shop on the road. Follow the crowds and start trading anywhere, anytime – within reason, depending on local bylaws and licensing requirements. Park off for a limited time and lock up overnight to keep your stock safe and secure.
Pop-up container shops are, quite literally, popping up all over the world, offering affordable temporary shop space for a vast range of businesses, including restaurants and coffee shops.
You will find converted container pop-up shops in all major cities, including many South African city centres. Many house individual retail business enterprises, while there are also a number of innovative shopping malls created with used containers. These take shipping container rental possibilities to a whole new level.
The trend first started in the early 21st century, with maverick entrepreneurs and under-financed start-ups recognizing the enormous potential of storage containers for rent. Perhaps the best marketing exercise for shipping container pop-up stores was the launch of the now hugely popular Boxpark pop-up shopping mall in Shoreditch, East London, UK in 2011. Made from used shipping containers that were stripped and refitted, it provides 40 pop-up spaces that house restaurants, cafes, fashion outlets, galleries, and other retail businesses. There is now a second Boxpark in Croydon, and a third is scheduled to open in Wembley late 2018.
Of course, while the Boxparks can be easily dismantled, they don’t offer the mobile option.
South Africa’s first pop-up shopping centre was opened in Johannesburg in 2015. This comprises 27 customized shipping containers but, like Boxpark, does not offer the opportunity for mobility.
Shopping mall options aside, pop-up stores may be housed in customized containers that incorporate doors and windows, and various typical shop-fitting elements, including counters and facilities for storage. Often, a container will be used as the base of a pop-up operation with some sort of constructed addition providing a different type of space. So, for instance, a pop-up restaurant might operate out of a container, while an adjacent patio or glass-enclosed area is used for seating.
The other obvious option is to look at storage containers for rent with the view to trading from them and also using them to lock up equipment and stock after hours. In this instance, low container rental prices will impact positively on your bottom line. Because no customization is required, this will also potentially add to profits. The other benefit of this type of shipping container rental is that the container can be used for a short period of time if required. Since there’s no major investment in terms of shop fitting or additional construction, it really is a true pop-up solution for any retail business.
Almar Container Group specializes in container rental services to meet every possible need from international transportation of goods across continents and oceans, to storage rental that will meet the needs of literally any type of pop-up shop.
Last Christmas, the KwaZulu Natal-based Bench Coffee Co. set up a pop-coffee shop at the beach. They opted for a 3-m container rental and fitted out the “shop” with little more than a trendy wooden counter and the appliances they needed, including a fridge. Of course, they needed electricity, which was provided by an extension cable. Instead of operating from a table or a caravan, they had a secure environment in which to operate and provide customers with the kind of coffee products they are known for.
Bench Coffee Co.’s pop-up outlet was a hit. People flocked for coffee and surfers would ask them to look after their car keys while they were in the water!
If you’d like to explore the option of a pop-up shop, contact Almar for container rental prices and advice. You don’t have to live in Durban or any other part of KZN, Almar operates in southern and eastern Africa and the Middle East and can provide a superior container hire service virtually anywhere in the world. Call us today.
Shipping containers are commonly used to transport goods to remote locations either by sea or over land. But, containers aren’t only used for transportation and logistics, or in challenging environments where they are required for offshore oil and gas operations. Frequently, shipping containers for sale are used for office and living accommodation, and for storage on remote sites, particularly those where building operations are planned or are in progress.
Often these are old – or used – shipping containers that cost considerably less than new ones. This doesn’t mean they are damaged or worn, or in any way inferior. Rather, old containers for sale offer amazing opportunities for both accommodation and storage. They can be used as is. They can be converted into basic units with windows, doors, and internal fixtures and fittings. They can also be totally repurposed to create exciting, good looking offices, retail outlets, or even multi-storey houses.
There are many reasons companies that need remote site accommodation take advantage of shipping containers including the fact that:
Once the containers have been delivered to the remote location, they can be positioned and finished according to the needs of the company or individuals. For instance, they may be furnished and fitted for use as boardrooms or offices, or for living accommodation, or for ablutions. The possibilities are endless.
Shipping containers for sale may be used for all forms of accommodation anywhere in the world. They are particularly useful where building resources are scarce, or, perhaps ironically, where major building is going to be carried out and the planning infrastructure is required in a short timeframe.
Actual locations range from deserts in the Middle East and undeveloped African regions to island areas where delivery of building materials is difficult… or anywhere else!
Almar Container Group specializes in the full range of containers, from those used for refrigeration and cold storage, to old shipping containers used to provide remote on-site container accommodation solutions. The company also focuses on a global reach that incorporates a number of African countries, from South Africa to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, as well as locations in the Middle East.
Importantly, remote doesn’t always spell low-density locations. Sometimes it is simply that the location is far from any place where low cost, good quality office, and accommodation options are available. An example is a remote Kenyan site where Almar supplied an innovative solution for site container offices for a construction company that needed a good turnkey option quickly. Add link
If you are looking for assistance with shipping containers for sale, don’t hesitate to contact the professional team at Almar. We are ready to help you solve your unique needs.
