Reshaping Future Architecture Approaches Using Shipping Containers: Student Housing as a Case Study

Abstract

Pandemic diseases spread globally causing psychological and physical destruction to people in the whole world. COVID-19 is one of these diseases that started in the twentieth century and affected different nations in terms of economical, educational, cultural, safety, health and other aspects. Residential spaces have become dramatically important to control these types of pandemics as it is considered an environment that meets the needs of the residents throughout the quarantine period. The paper aims at reshaping future architecture approaches that can be applied during the design concept, construction and operation phases of residential units. These approaches are concluded with regard to space design, building materials such as prefabricated shipping containers, thermal comfort and self-sufficiency. The researchers fetch the reasons of contrast between the spread of shipping containers from one side and its un-usage from the other side. Moreover, all future implementations will be reviewed to apply the most benefits of containers. The paper is an attempt to explore the uses of prefabricated shipping containers to create architectural spaces that has higher standards of safety towards diseases and it also serves several functions and human activities not only on the scale of an individual building but also on a larger scale (students housing). It presents a future solution for a building or a group of buildings which are structurally stable, healthy and environmentally friendly.