Hong Kong design studio A Work of Substance transforms old shipping containers into a cool, movable office

Interpretation

“The idea of modularity lies at the heart of the design. We bought four 20-foot containers [costing about HK$100,000 in total] because they would be easy to move around. There are three on concrete ‘stilts’ on the ground floor, connected by stairs to an upper floor, which features a fourth container, a greenhouse-style structure and a deck.

“Timber was an obvious choice to soften the industrial aspect and the roughness of the used containers, and create a connec­tion with the outdoor environment. We also used large glass panes, which frame the natural surroundings and offer visitors a feel of the scale and scope of the site. The suite’s electrics, mechanics and plumbing are all plug in/plug out.

“The structure is designed to stay in the same configuration but if it has to be moved, each module needs to be collapsed and reassembled individually. There’s even a manual for it.”

Challenges

“This was a pilot project for us and we built the suite entirely on-site. The extreme weather – constant rain and a typhoon – was like a tropical night­mare. It was a very harsh environment for the workers and the materials.

“Although it was a fairly straightforward project [completed late last year], it is also hard to make something look flawlessly pure. The beauty is in how clean the design looks and how smoothly everything fits together.”

Highlights

“The project overturns what you expect from old storage containers. It looks weightless rather than bulky and is almost like a contemporary home. When you’re in the [2,066 sq ft] space, it feels vast and the eight-foot ceiling height feels comfortable. It has such great scale for a habitat. You’re nested but it’s neither claustrophobic nor overwhelming. It is a domesticated product in a very industrial environment, especially with all the greenery around it. At night, it glows in the middle of the construction site, giving off a very cool vibe.”