Commercial

Commercial Shipping Container Projects

Explore innovative commercial spaces built with shipping containers—flexible, modular, and made for modern business. From pop-up cafés and retail hubs to office buildings and workspaces, these projects show how container architecture can be sustainable, cost-effective, and eye-catching.

Whether you’re planning a mobile bar, startup office, or full-scale retail space, container-based commercial design offers unmatched speed and versatility—ideal for urban sites, remote locations, and everything in between.

Looking for inspiration for your own commercial container build? Browse these real-world examples and discover how businesses are turning cargo containers into bold, functional spaces.

Innovative Shipping Container Office at Port of Ashdod, Israel – A Landmark in Shipping Container Architecture

The Port of Ashdod, one of Israel’s busiest and most strategically vital seaports, is now home to an innovative modular office building that exemplifies cutting-edge shipping container architecture. Designed with flexibility and sustainability in mind, this project repurposes 36 recycled shipping containers to create a bold new office and operations center, marking a significant leap in modular buildings in Israel.Read More »Innovative Shipping Container Office at Port of Ashdod, Israel – A Landmark in Shipping Container Architecture

The Daiken-Met Architects Shipping Container Office, Gifu City, Japan.

Daiken-Met Architects: Sustainable Shipping Container Office in Gifu, Japan

Sugoroku Office: Revolutionary Shipping Container Architecture Transforms Japan’s Mobile Workspace Concept. In Gifu, Japan, a remarkable example of container architecture showcases innovative spatial problem-solving. The Sugoroku Office, created by Daiken-Met Architects, offers a groundbreaking approach to mobile container office design. Furthermore, it addresses urban space challenges while embracing sustainability.

The Periscope Project: San Diego's Innovative Shipping Container Art Space

The Periscope Project: Innovative Shipping Container Art Space in San Diego

The Periscope Project: Revolutionary Shipping Container Art Gallery in San Diego Redefines Urban Creative Spaces. In the vibrant East Village district of San Diego, an innovative cargotecture community project has transformed a narrow urban lot into a thriving creative hub. The Periscope Project, completed in 2011 by ENS_Projects, represents a pioneering approach to modular shipping container building design. This multidisciplinary cooperative space provides essential amenities for artists, designers, students, and activists. Furthermore, it demonstrates how shipping container art spaces can create sustainable, accessible environments for creative collaboration.

Alterra Pinamar – The Beach Resort Built With Shipping Containers, Argentina.

Alterra Pinamar: Eco-Friendly Shipping Container Glamping Resort in Argentina

Alterra Pinamar: Pioneering Shipping Container Beach Resort in Argentina Redefines Coastal Eco-Tourism. Along Argentina’s picturesque coastline, approximately 250 miles south of Buenos Aires, an innovative shipping container hotel has redefined sustainable hospitality. Alterra Pinamar Container Glamping stands as a testament to thoughtful design and environmental stewardship. This unique container resort blends harmoniously with its surroundings while offering an exceptional visitor experience. Additionally, it represents the evolving story of Pinamar—a region with a remarkable environmental transformation spanning over eight decades.Read More »Alterra Pinamar: Eco-Friendly Shipping Container Glamping Resort in Argentina

The Wynyard Quarter Shipping Container Kiosk, Auckland, New Zealand.

Wynyard Quarter Shipping Container Kiosk: Innovative Visitor Center in Auckland

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Stack nine shipping containers on top of each other, add in some cool multimedia interfaces and staff it with helpful, waterfront aficionados and you have the new visitors kiosk in Karanga Plaza, Wynard Wharf on the Auckland Waterfront.Read More »Wynyard Quarter Shipping Container Kiosk: Innovative Visitor Center in Auckland

Burk’s Falls Shipping Container Housing: Modular Affordable Living in Ontario

A New Model for Shipping Container Housing in Ontario. In the quiet town of Burk’s Falls, Ontario, a forward-thinking housing initiative has taken shape. Developer InvestorCentric Inc. is transforming recycled shipping containers into functional, code-compliant residences. The project aims to demonstrate how steel containers can deliver affordable housing while addressing the rental shortage in rural communities. As a standout example of shipping container housing in Ontario, this development merges cost-efficiency, durability, and sustainability.

The Box Office: Sustainable Shipping Container Office in Providence, RI

Introduction to a Landmark in Container Commercial Architecture. Completed in 2010, the Box Office container project in Providence, Rhode Island, redefined sustainable office design using shipping container architecture. Located on the former Harris Lumber site, this shipping container office building was developed by Truth Box, Inc. and designed by architect Joe Haskett of Distill Studio. The development transformed a vacant urban brownfield into a pioneering example of container commercial architecture.

A Recycled Shipping Container Multi-Purpose Building – Guimarães, Portugal

Quinta da Cancela: Sustainable Shipping Container Facility in Guimarães, Portugal

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A Vision for Modular Container Structures in Rural Europe. Located on a historic estate in Guimarães, Portugal, this innovative recycled shipping container building showcases rural container architecture in Europe. Real estate manager Arthur Carvalho led the project at Quinta da Cancela 1720, transforming recycled containers into a highly functional, modular container structure.

Arthur originally sought to expand storage for the estate’s operations. However, his concept evolved into a more ambitious plan: to create a recycled shipping container building that could serve as a flexible, sustainable facility. The result now supports events, tourism, and agriculture while blending into the wooded landscape.

Emporio The Recycled Shipping Container Deli

Emporio Deli: Sustainable Shipping Container Architecture by Infiniski in Chile

Sustainable Commercial Design by James & Mau and Infiniski. Completed in 2011, the Emporio shipping container deli in Talca showcases sustainable shipping container architecture. James & Mau designed the project, and Infiniski built it using five recycled shipping containers. The team prioritized strong visual identity and high energy efficiency. Renowned for shipping container architecture projects like the Manifesto House, Infiniski proved that recycled shipping container buildings can blend innovation with environmental responsibility. Located in Talca, Chile, the deli helped represent the Campo Noble brand and advanced the popularity of modular shipping container commercial buildings worldwide.