Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Kitchen Designer: container shedworking

Container conversions have been slowly growing in popularity over the last couple of years so Shedworking was delighted to hear from Mark Hanner of The Kitchen Designer about his 20ft shipping container shedworking atmosphere at Trowbridge Garden Centre, Wiltshire:
"My decision to convert a 20ft shipping container, came after an 18 month search for premises to setup a small kitchen studio. By budget wasn’t huge and that restricted me enormously with the standard high street option, coupled with the greed of some local landlords! I wanted to ensure I didn’t follow the trend, and do something unique.

"Also conscious of the looming recession, the shipping container was a good way forwards. It now also provides me with a very cost effective platform for expanding the business, with the ability to put units in many places other businesses can’t be!

"The conversion process was a big learning curve for me, as I did most of the work myself – calling on friends and family for help where needed. Inside, the container is studded out the same as you would most interiors, and is insulated, boarded and skimmed. I wanted to ensure the interior looked as smart as possible, and once you are inside, you’d never know you were in a container. I've even installed ceiling speakers that provide wireless radio & music."Outside has been left standard, with a coat of specialist black container paint. I did initially want to conceal the outside with a timber clad frame, but decided it was much more quirky to see the container. The same goes for the doors – I originally wanted to pin these back, but chose to have them set at 90 degrees to give the frontage more width. They will also come in handy as advertising boards should I wish."The doors are held in place by a simple steel bar, with brackets welded to the container. The steel bar can be removed, and the doors shut as normal – therefore still keeping its function as a container. I can, should I wish, close the doors, lift up the container, and relocate (although I hope they’ll never be the need!). Outside I’ve landscaped with stone around the sides, new turf at the front, and a deck platform.

"Overall, the container has provided me with an incredibly flexible, cost effective, and quirky solution. I’m already considering where to open a second one, and have had interest in providing 6 more conversions as cost effective offices."
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4 comments:

  1. Great and highly inspiring post, thanks!

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  2. Anonymous4:49 PM

    Hi, Great idea, Thanks for sharing your brilliant idea. I really would like to convert one as a den for my daughters. I will need more information on how to do this. Any ideas where I can buy a container and and how much they are, as I have a small buget.

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  3. Anonymous7:10 PM

    What about the condensation and moisture build-up behind the plasterboard? The timber studding will be rotting on the inside. These containers get very hot in summer and freezing in winter!

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  4. Anonymous3:32 PM

    Great idea!

    ReplyDelete