A company that used the cargo containers to transport materials to Sabo thought it wiser to re-use the discarded ones rather than shipping them back. Tamassociati, an Italian architecture firm, intelligently transformed shipping containers into sustainable housing for a hospital staff in Soba, Khartoum. The site on the banks of the Nile spreads a total of 97 containers on a 1,668 m2 area.
As many as 90 20-foot containers were brought together to provide shelter to 60 people, while seven 40-foot containers formed a canteen. The sustainable architecture incorporates two layers of insulation, with 5cm insulating panels inside and a bamboo screen panel system on the outside. Theses layers of insulation do not let sun shine directly on the containers, hence the internal temperature rarely goes above 30 degrees Celsius without air conditioning.
The contemporary-looking structure has thick stone walls at either end, keeping it cool throughput the day. The energy harnessed from the solar panels is not only used to heat water, but also powers the chilling machines of the air conditioning system. The beauty of this eco-friendly housing is enhanced further with 150 trees planted on the site.
