The sturdy and practical containers used to transfer goods around the world, but when the use was over, thousands of containers did not know where to go. Containers have a wide range of new life and are the basis for creating a new space environment with infinite possibilities. Therefore, finding new and innovative ways to put these abandoned shipping containers back into use has become the primary task of sustainable development.

This [Spanish Fort Container Park] is located in an existing community park and playground in Spanish Fort, Alabama, and includes a fishing pond as the focus of the container park project. The smaller terrace is adjacent to the large event lawn, which can be used for picnics, outdoor cinemas, farmers’ markets and live music festivals.

Each container prototype in the project has been carefully designed to activate a smaller and more private outdoor dining space. At the micro level, each prototype meets specific restaurant standards, including dining windows, walk-in bars, indoor and outdoor restaurants. At the macro level, the prototype of each restaurant strives to coexist with its neighbors to define chain dining spaces and provide a larger and more cohesive public dining experience.

Multiple containers are set up around the fishing pond, an outdoor activity square is formed in the middle, and multiple wooden dining tables are placed on the square. In order to create a romantic atmosphere at night, colorful lights are wrapped around the top of the square, and many container restaurants share the same dining area.

These containers are used as a canvas reflecting the personality of the community, creating geometrical space conditions for prototype design and site layout to encourage social interaction and place creation. The concepts of prototyping, prefabrication, and adaptive reuse are inherent in the potential of shipping containers, giving the project the opportunity to fully study the design.

A pizzeria in the park is transformed from a light blue container, and a sunshade is installed in front of the door. At night, a romantic atmosphere is created through the lamp beads set on the roof. An open display window is cut on the box body for conveying dishes and ordering food.

All pictures courtesy of Spanish Fort Container Park