The Kiwi Bach (or in New Zealand a small holiday home) has been reinvented by the Architects Bonnifait + Giesen and Atelier workshop. Port A Bach – a prototype Shipping Container Home was manufactured in Hangzhou China and shipped to New Zealand where it is now a part of the permanent collection at the Puke Ariki Museum, New Plymouth.
Although this shipping container home was not re-cycled, Atelierworkshop believes that up-cycling containers can be an effective answer for large scale projects if portability, site access, robustness, security are issues. The Port-a-Bach is not in commercial production – however one could assume that they would like to be – as they are seeking appropriate commercial partners in order to mass produce it and its eco friendly add ons such as wind turbines and solar solutions.
The Port-a-Bach can be readily transported and installed with a minimal amount of impact on any site. It can be folded into a fully-enclosed exterior steel shell to be stored or secured or relocated. Features include cupboards and shelving, stainless steel fittings, and kitchen appliances. The bathroom has an open shower, a sink, and a composting toilet. A fabric screen system for the interior of the structure provides for the option of creating room divisions on-the-fly, and an exterior canvas can be used to cover a deck area to expand the living space outdoors.
We like the Port-a-Bach’s style. It is reminiscent of Sean Goodsell’s Future Shack an emergency response housing solution that originally captivated our collective imaginations. Port-a-Bach however looks to be a whole lot more comfortable!
Notes From The Designers:
A HOLIDAY HOME
– portable,
– secure,
– high-level finish,
– designed to be environmentally clean
– comparatively inexpensive,
– comfortably sleeps two adults and two children.
THAT ALLOWS :
– transportation,
– immediate, flexible and long-term solution that enables you to use your land without investing in a permanent property commitment,
– for future development, ideal for leased land situations,
– to be power, water and sewer independent, it is well suited to remote or non-service supplied land,
– also be connected to available services,
– quick and easy transportation (via truck or helicopter) and installation to any orientation with minimal impact on site,
– unfolding to create a living space and refolding to create a secure unit for in situ storage or relocation.
FEATURES
– fully enclosed exterior steel shell (when folded up),
– appointed with large internal storage cupboards and shelves / stainless steel kitchen and fittings / bathroom with open shower, sink, composting toilet,
– interior fabric screen system gives the versatility of creating rooms within the large open living space : includes bunk beds, double bed room, dressing room, kitchen and bathroom,
– exterior canvas screen system allows to shelter the deck area for comfortable indoor/outdoor flow and living,
– 6 concrete footings form a stable, non-invasive ‘foundation’, allowing you to situate the unit on a wide range of ground conditions.
Courtesy Of: Bonnifait + Giesen. Atelierworkshop
Photos: Paul McCredie.
