AN ECO-FRIENDLY AND CREATIVE CONCEPT: STARBUCKS SHIPPING CONTAINER STORES

Who ever thought shipping container can turn into a cool coffee shop? Starbucks did it! Starbucks succeed to get attention with their innovative concept of drive-thru shipping container stores.

On December 13, 2011, the first Starbucks shipping container was built in Tukwila, Washington. This concept came out from Puget Sound, the busiest shipping port in Washington. When Starbucks design team were thinking about an eco-friendly store idea, they looked at the Puget Sound and found an idea to reuse shipping containers as a sustainable store.

Starbucks uses shipping container to deliver coffee, tea, and other materials all across the world, so it seems fitting that they decided to use shipping containers to build their stores. By using unused shipping containers, Starbucks help to reduce their waste because after 20-25 years of lifespan, it will become scrap. This new concept turns out to be the breakthrough for Starbucks popularity. Many customers give very good response about this Starbucks’ new store. It’s not only an innovative idea, but also environmental and economical friendly.

However, it’s a little hard for Starbucks to arrange the equipments in the 40-foot shipping container stores because it is not a big space and also they can’t modify the dimensions. They need to figure it out exactly where all the equipment needs to go, so the six employees in there don’t end up bumping into one another.

Starbuck’s design team using this shipping container stores as their eco-friendly store ideas. They expect to achieve LEED certification. This shipping container stores have met the LEED standards: water efficient irrigation, energy performance optimization, use of green power, construction waste management, recycled content, low-emitting materials, and overall innovation and design.

Today, Starbucks have built a few of shipping container stores all over US:

1. Tukwila, Washington, the first Starbucks’ shipping container store.
2. Denver, Colorado
3. Portland, Oregon
4. Salt Lake City, Utah, opened September 2014
5. Chicago
6. Ballard, Seattle, opened February 2, 2014

It’s not only Starbucks that used shipping containers to build their stores. There is also a few unique shipping container restaurants all over the world:

Smoky Park Supper Club, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Till the Cows Come Home, Berlin, Germany

Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters & Tasting Room, Durango, Colorado, USA

Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters & Tasting Room, Durango, Colorado, USA

Shipping containers are flexible for different uses. Look at Starbucks that succeed make a cool shipping container coffee shop. Some of unique restaurants also made from shipping container. These Starbucks stores and a few of shipping container restaurants are only a few example of the innovative idea of shipping containers.

Based in China, Shanghai Metal Corporation is one of the leading businesses in the manufacturing of metalworking industry. We can produce and export shipping containers and other metal products and service. We prioritize the efficient of manufacturing and environmental sustainability.

Want to know more about our company? Please visit our website and you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Feel free to download our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

Source: Containerhomeplans, Inhabitat, Starbucksmelody

 

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The Dumpster Project – Leaving in a Container

image via en.wikipedia.org

Have you ever heard of ‘the Dumpster Project’? It is a project created by environmental studies professor and dean at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, Dr. Jeff Wilson. On February 4, 2015, Professor Wilson has moved to a dumpster container where he plans to stay for about one year. In his words, the Dumpster Project is ‘an experiment to test the absolute limit if you can be happy and healthy in a very small space’. Not only. According to the project website the purpose of this experiment is to experience an eco-friendly lifestyle that could bring benefits to a planet where the population is steadily increasing and living space decreases more and more year after year. In this regard, while the average dimensions of an American home are about 2,480 square feet, minster Wilson’s brand new house is 33 square feet big.

image via laughingsquid.com

It is true that Professor Wilson will be living in a container for a year, but what is also true is that this container is modern and fully furnished. Indeed, it features solar panels to generate electricity, high efficiency toilets, a weather station, air conditioning, a sloping roof, locks and a mailbox. Of course, Wilson is not suggesting everyone to live this way, but it is proving that it is possible to live in smaller spaces. Moreover, through the Dumpster Project, his main goal is to encourage debates on sustainable way of living.

image via wgrd.com

You don’t need to be so radical. Living in a container house can be much more comfortable and unique than you ever thought. At SMC we also deal with container houses. Visit our website and do not hesitate to make contact us.

Scan the QR code below and stay informed about our latest updates:

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Stefano// SMC Editor

Recreate your recreational areas!

Refresh your mind after a long day and relax in a beautiful, luxurious patio  made from our wood plastic composite deck (WPC deck). At SMC, we  offer a great deal of building systems to suit your needs. Our version of WPC deck is particularly beneficial because it has featured characteristics of both wood and plastic, making it highly durable.

Enjoy a not only lovely looking patio but also, but also reap the benefits of low maintenance work, and less energy towards cleaning. Our wood plastic allows you to just wipe the floor, as opposed to pure wood which needs varnishing.  We save you the trouble!

We offer durable, less hassle flooring solution for your patios, children’s playground,  pool side and other outdoor areas; as well as indoor facilities such as restaurants, halls, etc. WPC decks are great, you don’t have to worry about wood rotting like the natural one would, thus making it more sustainable.

Our WPC deck’s combined features of plastic and wood enables it to have the enhanced look of wood, and gives you liberty to have less worries about varnishing ,or worrying about the wood changing colour or getting damaged  for instance when it rains or children spill liquids on it . Worry not about those spills ruining the floor!

For your more intimate ,indoor events, our WPC deck building system comes handy as a dance floor, for gyms, halls, theatres and other recreational areas that need operational open space.

Compliment your outdoor areas with our WPC deck paired with artificial grass  and flaunt your attractive, soothing and calming environment created from our best suited products. Save water with our artificial grass, and enjoy the eco-friendly features of the WPC deck.  Cut down maintenance costs and save your energy with SMC! Save the planet and have less trees cut down for your lovely floor, at SMC we care about the earth.

Get an inquiry or visit our website for more information.  Scan the QR code below to download our application; and stay clued up with our latest updates, follow us on these social media platforms:

    

Lebogang Seopane//SMC Intern

Credits: SMC website, Google images

Re-use, Adapt, Attract!

As the leading manufacturer and supplier of metal products in China,  SMC is the go-to supplier when you are looking for shipping containers to reuse in a cheap and eco-friendly manner. For instance, for micro businesses that can’t afford office space, our shipping containers come handy as they can be easily converted to office space or working space.

We meet the needs of all business sectors. Tuck-shop and window store owners can also re-purpose our shipping containers into their working space. Use our shipping containers as affordable, spacious, easy to set-up structures and get your business up and running without the hassle of looking for office space or paying office rental! Save your money and energy and find adaptive uses of containers to meet your needs!

Since a shipping container is just a long hollow structure, it allows one to apply a great deal of creativity and innovation towards making it a comfortable working space, giving one limitless ideas of how to design their space.  Incorporate different kinds of art to make the space personal.

With the growing trends in the real estate industry and enhancement of architectural renaissance, urban  land owners are trying to attract tenants to want to live in their container apartments as they have a unique and sassy look. The first ever container apartments were built in Washington DC, and the trend is growing by the day.  SMC being a leading supplier in China, our market has spread out beyond China’s borders by a great deal. We have already penetrated the rest of Asia, US, UK, Australia and many other countries, thus, we are not too far from you!

Visit our website click here for  inquiry, our friendly staff will be available to help.

Get our latest updates by downloading our latest application. Scan the QR code below and follow us on the following social media platforms:

    

 

Lebogang Seopane//SMC Intern

Sources: Google images, SMC main website

Looks Prettier than It Costs!

Are you tired of high water bills? Think it’s too much effort maintaining your gardens and football pitch? Well, at SMC, we have the solution to your gardening problems!

Artificial lawn is becoming more and more popular by the day, as it is ever-green all year round, requires little maintenance, has easy installation, and creates a breath-taking scenery, and most of all saves you from high water bills!

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At SMC, our building systems subsection is concerned about all your building needs. Enhance the look of your gardens and sports arena with our artificial grass! While you are at it, take it up a notch and incorporate our shipping containers which you can recycle to create extra living space with an open patio setting. Recycled containers used in design and decor, are a great architectural success to creating contemporary gardens! They allow you to create your own lush and unique garden, at minimal cost. SAY BYE-BYE TO WATER BILLS and HELLO to beautiful lush gardens all year round! NO lawn mowing, no pruning, no watering! You save a lot!

SMC is a professional artificial grass manufacturer and is one of the leading building systems supplier in China. Having a world-wide market, we produce world-class artificial grass from synthetic turf; which is widely used in home gardens, golf landscape, and sports arena.

Moreover, our artificial grass is also safe for children to play on, hence it’s perfect for school play grounds.

Enjoy beautiful views in your homes and sports arena with our artificial grass, with no fuss of high maintenance. At SMC, we understand the problem of water scarcity; so come to SMC to save water and pay less money for your water bills and garden maintenance personnel. All that cost forgone is  accompanied by breath-taking landscape architecture!

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Read more about how best we can meet your building system needs by visiting our website or make an inquiry.

Get our latest updates, follow us on the following social media platforms

    

 

or scan the QR code to download our new application

Lebogang Seopane//SMC Intern

Sources: Google images, SMC website

Tree Houses Are Not Just for Kids

Today’s trend is to behave as much eco-friendly as you can. Recycle everything what is recyclable, produce less waste, save energy, build your houses in a sustainable way – live in harmony with nature.

These tree houses supported by metal piles are a great example of low-energy solutions, compost system and low water use taps and showers.

Tree house with metal piles

Bower House Construction uses computer technology for “printing off” the site all of the tree house’s components. This technology reduces construction waste and does not disrupt the surrounding natural eco-system.

Metal piles are screwed into the ground with a hydraulic power pack so that it causes a minimal impact around sensitive zones and it can be completely removed whenever there is a need.

Every house is insulated with sheep’s wool or recycled cellulose providing a comfortable temperature inside the house. There are compost toilets, low water flow taps and showers. Recycled and recyclable materials are used throughout the interior so you feel like surrounded by nature. Maybe these houses are not for everyone but it definitely looks cool and tries to use eco-friendly systems to protect the environment.

Copper bath tube

The interior of a tree house

Shanghai Metal Corporation provides high-quality metals, steel and copper used in architecture or for other applications. For more information visit our main website or send us inquiry. English speaking staff will help you to find the most suitable product for you. Download our application by scanning QR code below or follow us on Social Media.

    

Silvia M.//SMC Editor

Read more articles written by this author here.

Credits : inhabitat.com, bowerhouseconstruction.co.uk, googleimages

Architecture using carbonated drink cans

When you finish drinking your beer from beer can, what do you usually do with an empty can? Just throw it to the garbage? Well, you have more options : make your own beer can sofa, get some hamburger for free or you can use it as a material for a facade of your house.

Can Cube’s facade is a system of aluminium carbonated drink cans which are enclosed in an aluminium frame. It was designed by Archi Union Architects using and integrating renewable systems to make it highly efficient and sustainable. This structure saves the energy that is normally wasted during recycling processes, by reusing them in their current form.

Can Cube’s facade

This Can Cube design is an innovative residential and office building in Shanghai, China. The two first floors are used as the office space, the next levels are aimed to be a space for private living.

Aluminium frame keeps the structure light and easily adjustable by its occupants. Windows sections within the structure provide a full control of sunlight during the all seasons. What is more, the facade works along the underground heating, cooling systems, rainwater filtration and solar energy systems, all of this minimize the waste of energy.

Shanghai Metal Corporation offers customers high-quality aluminium and other metal products. For more information please don’t hesitate and visit the website or send us inquiry. English speaking staff will be more than glad to help you. Download also our application by scanning QR code below or follow us on Social Media.

    

Silvia M.//SMC Editor

Read more articles written by this author here.

Credits : archdaily.com, worldconstructionnetwork.com, googleimages

Constructions That Defy the Limits of Shipping Container Architecture

The most shipping container structures consist of only one container. These kind of structures make good micro-homes, offices or pop-up stores. Still, it is more common to build bigger container constructions. What might be the maximum amount of containers one could use for a single building? These examples will lead to the answer.

Detroit’s The Power of Green Housing Development will upcycle 93 shipping containers to build the multi-family home complex shown in the picture above. This four-floor house of flats will have 20 residences of one to three bedroom solutions. The residents will also have their own protected parking garage. Its tankless water heating system and ventilation will guarantee low energy costs. (via Inhabitat)

This shipping container complex will have an area of 270,000 sq ft for shipping containers which refers to approximately 700 shipping containers. New York’s SuperPier is US$200 million project that will include a restaurant and a retail complex with bathhouses, sky parks, performance spaces, a rock climbing gym and a garden. The complex will be built to upgrade the existing installation and will be opened during summer 2015. (via Inhabitat)

The complex that New York-based architecture firm LOT-EK is designing in Taiwan, will consist of 1,620 shipping containers. Recycled containers will be the main material for Taichung city’s Cultural Center that will hold art shows and screen films among many other cultural activities. The complex will be built to be eco-friendly by integrating a rainwater reuse system and energy-efficient ventilation/insulation system. (via Inhabitat)

So how large can shipping container complexes become? Well, containers are designed to hold heavy loads of weight on their four corner pillars that allow the piling of several containers. Building tall container towers is limited only by the properties of forklifts and cranes. Because containers are made of a simple steel structure that allows simple operations of cutting and welding, the width of complexes is also not limited.

 

Actually, some shipping container constructions are built to be expanded as necessary. For instance a container bungalow in Spain shows this example. Therefore, at least in theory, there seems to be no limits for the size of shipping container complexes.

No matter how big the world’s shipping container complexes will grow in the future, Shanghai Metal Corporation will keep on providing prefabricated shipping container construction and shipping containers internationally. If your business is need of them, please contact us with this form. Please also follow us on these social media platforms.

    

Tuomas P. // SMC Editor

Please use the the social media boxes below to SHARE this article to reach all the container builders everywhere.

Can bamboo replace the carbon fibre?

A bamboo

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Certain species of bamboo can grow 35 inches within 24 hour period and that is unbelievable.  Bamboos are typical significance for South, Southeast and East Asia. It can serve as a building material, food source and as a versatile raw product. Will be bamboo the next “carbon fiber” in automotive industry?

Real carbon fibre is still quite expensive to make in large quantities, requires quite a lot of effort to manufacture, when you made it poorly, it can be very brittle, but what is more important – it is not recyclable and has a bad impact on environment while being produced. Gary Young, a manufacturer of surfboards, says : “With the right approach, bamboo could be used in many applications in automotive industry thanks to its qualities plus it doesn’t have a negative effect on the environment.

A future bamboo car

Bamboo really looks promising on many levels. It could pass several difficult problems connected to new-car production. It could withstand flame and fire resistance standards. The bamboo wood costs pennies per pound and it is perhaps the best renewable material, as it grows very quickly. What is more, the dust from a bamboo  weave production decomposes over time.

Toyota’s Lexus division is one of car-makers committed to renewable materials and now it is offering 8 models of Lexus’ bamboo-rimmed steel wheel. According to engineers’ words, if you feel comfortable at the wheel, you don’t feel so tired, even after a long drive.

A bamboo-rimmed steering wheel

There is a lot of questions around using bamboo at the high temperatures common in automotive industry and fabrication. So for now carbon fiber still can’t be replaced by bamboo, but things could change soon or later.

A car – all bamboo on wheels except engine

In Shanghai Metal Corporation we offer a wide range of products for automotive industry for example steel, aluminium, carbon steel. If you want to learn more, visit our website or send us inquiry. You could also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LindkedIn or download our new application by scanning QR code below.

Silvia M.//SMC Editor

Read more articles written by this author here.

Credits : inhabitat.com, trendblast.com, bbc.com, greencarreports.com, wikipedia.org, googleimages

 

 

 

 

 

Aluminum Leaves Apple’s Desktops

Apple has announced that its new Mac Pro desktop computer will use 74 % less aluminum and steel than its predecessor. The new design of Mac Pro is also said to be 84 % lighter than the previous version.

Reducing the amount of aluminum and steel as well as reducing the overall weight is said to decrease the green house gasses that the manufacturing process would omit. The emissions caused by shipping of goods will also be reduced as the weight becomes substantially lower. This will also reduce Mac Pros’ value-to-weight ratio because according to Apple, the change of materials will not hinder the desktops’ efficiency.

Even though Apple will reduce the percentage of metals in Mac Pros, they still represent the majority of the desktops’ weight. Aluminum and steel still represent about 60 % the Mac Pro’s weight. In addition, aluminum, steel and copper will represent about 73 % of the weight. The total weight of the computer will be close to 13 pounds (six kilograms).

Metals such as aluminum, copper and steel are still in a crucial role in the mobile phone and computer industry. Even though Apple drastically reduces the use of these metals,  it is very unlikely that they will leave the manufacturing process for good. It remains still important for businesses to have good relations with reliable providers of metals, such as the Shanghai Metal Corporation.

Apple Mac Pro’s packaging slightly resembles wine packaging.

In Shanghai Metal Corporation we offer high-quality service for our international clients as well as help them to find the best metal products for their needs. If you are planning to procure aluminum or any other metals, just send us an inquiry and our English speaking staff will guide you further. For specifications of our products, please visit our website. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Tuomas P. // SMC Editor

Pictures and original articles: Inhabitat, CleanTechnica, Treehugger, Tapscape, Cnet