Ship-shape living quarters

Auckland design students have turned a 6m shipping container into a sturdy and cosy bach or city crashpad by using their imagination, mathematics and a few sheets of plywood.

Their "experience in compressed living" has struck a chord with the crowds viewing a display by AUT students at the Eastern Viaduct.

Spatial-design students Nelson Rayner, Fraser Thomas, Terry Cheng and Josh Eddington Lalande were assigned the task by tutor Fleur Palmer as part of the Auckland City Council's "Living Room" events.

The stark interior of the unlined ribbed steel space has been softened by white paint and a plywood floor.

A system of five modular compartments house the bedroom, a bathroom, wardrobe-storage, kitchen and lounge.

The units, built by the students using donated materials, are at the rear of the container and are pulled out like drawers according to which amenity or "room" is required.

Units are on runners and guides so it takes little effort to pull out the unit containing the television and the one with the couch.

Even with the units pulled out there is enough free floorspace left to park a small car or a double bed.

The container opening can be blocked with a glass sliding door or a glass panel that changes to black at the flick of a switch. At night, a variety of coloured mood lighting sets a cosy glow on the white surfaces of the units.

Overseas, a growing number of Green architects are looking to stacks of unused shipping containers as potential low-cost housing.

The Viaduct display can be seen from noon to 7.30 pm until Thursday.