O contentor marítimo na arquitectura. Avaliação do seu desempenho enquanto sistema de edificação alternativo.

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the use of Standardized Shipping Container (SSC) in architecture.The growing number of buildings using SSC's as a construction component justifies a moredetailed approach on the motivations and the advantages that architects have found on thistype of architecture.In the carried out study it has become important to recognize the intrinsic characteristics ofthe SSC, including its classification and standardization, building system and transport system,hence to interpret the advantages and disadvantages that may point us towards its use inarchitecture, and how this object mutates itself from a product, marketed in the transportindustry, into a building construction component. In this context, features like dimensions,modularity, portability, interchangeability, savings and sustainability explain the possibility of thistechnology transfer.The search for the motivation's behind the use of SSC's in Architecture, 25 buildings wereselected, as their characteristics and differentiation appeared to provide a sample forevaluation. The availability and consistency of the information were also important criteria inthis selection. Methodology, this assessment took place by designing and filling out a form ofinquiry that aimed to portray the buildings as to their sizing, structural system and support tothe ground, architectural design, portability and also to their life cycle.The carried out assessment made possible to observe which factors prevailed in the preferenceof the SSC as a construction component. Among these, it's possible to point out theenvironmental issues related to the reuse of a product in it's life cycle ending, the ability tocreate modular building components that are also reusable, the ease of transporting smallbuildings and relocating modular units, the modules interchangeability between buildings due tothe prefabrication standardized components, and also the cutback on construction expensesrelated to the possibility of prefabrication and fast assembly on site.Although there may have been pointed out a few conceptual limitations associated with the useof SSC's, namely the dependency of a modular system that was not initially designed forconstruction, the diversity of architectural solutions produced points towards the conclusion thatthis approach has established an application context, essentially at the level of solutions thatexhibit characteristics of portability, adaptability and interchangeability. Furthermore, it isimportant to highlight the environmental contribution of using an end of life product, turning itinto a resource for the greater economical activity: building construction.