China Prefab Manufacturers to Lead Modular Construction Industry?
A beautiful example of a shipping container construction restoration changing not just a building but young people’s lives.
A kindergarten in Ibaraki, Japan was badly in need of a shipping container construction restoration, as it lacked earthquake resistance and desired capacity. The kindergarten had been in the community for over 50 years — a legacy which the neighborhood wanted to preserve. Fortunately for the Ibaraki community, HIBINOSEKKEI + Youji no Yhiro is a Japan-based architectural firm, which has archived over 350 projects and specializes in infrastructures for childhood environments.
Hibinosekkei + Youji No Shiro designs some of the safest, greenest and most fun buildings in the world. Priority number one is to design structures that will protect children in one of the world’s most infamously seismic countries. Second is to design buildings which are environmentally friendly leaving less impact on the earth, but a big impact on the lives and minds of impressionable youngsters. The final goal is to make buildings where children want to come to learn and play.
One thing I love about the modular building; the bureaucracy and design process often take longer than the actual manufacturing and construction of the structure. This project launched in May of 2015, but final designs were not approved until mid-October. However, by February 1st, 2016, three and a half months after design approval, the kindergarten had been manufactured, constructed, and was holding classes. Final designs worked with the original structure, increasing its strength and size.
Hibinosekkei + Youji No Shiro designs called for a series of stacked shipping containers. Hibinosekkei partnered with a Chinese prefab manufacturer to modify, ship, assemble and finish the building in Japan. Chinese immigrant workers were brought in to assemble the shipping container construction restoration project faster and cheaper than local labor. The structure is rated anti-typhoon, anti-seismic, and all materials abide by Japan F4 Star International Environmental Standards.
OA Kindergarten Construction Details:
- Total Project Cost: $1.5 million USD
- Shipping: 34 containers @ $750 USD per container – shipping rate checker
- Size: 1,011 square meters / 10,882 square feet
- Manufacture Period: 75 days
- Assembly Period: 30 days
- Total Construction Period: 95 days
- Manufactured: Jiangsu Province – a Prefabmarket.com partner
- Final Location: Ibaraki, Japan
- Design: Hibinosekkei + Youji No Shiro
- Structure Specs: Recycled shipping containers
- Features: Anti-typhoon, anti-seismic, and all materials abide by Japan F4 Star International Environmental Standards.
- Completed: January 30th 2016
Related posts
