‘SPACE’ by metalab, houston, texas, USA all images courtesy of metalab
houston-based practice metalab in collaboration with the university of houston has designed and begun manufacture of ‘SPACE’, a prototypical off-grid field office for the company adaptive container. an acronym for ‘solar powered adaptive containers for everyone’, the unit is a reused shipping container with a fold out solar rack system with 20 panels on the roof. supporting rapid deployment, the 20 panels may be folded inward for efficient delivery allowing the flexible space to serve as a self-sustained first response center, emergency relief office, remote check point, park rangers station, etc. the mobile and secure structure may host day-to-day work environments with climate-controlled interiors which doubles as a protective shelter during severe weather events.
a beta unit was produced to test its independent production capabilities, proving its ability to serve as a generator for aid stations during a power loss situation caused by a gulf coast hurricane. the containers are prefabricated within a nearby facility, campo sheet metal, and then delivered to their site.
installed on the university of houston campus
PV solar panel
office interior
campo sheet metal, the fabrication center in houston
production floor for the container units
additional containers stacked for future use
container assembly within the factory
container mounted upon truck hitch
ready for delivery
delivery to the site
installation on-site
(left) container within context (right) PV detail
project info:
container size: 28’ l x 8’ w x 11’-6” h (outside dimensions with PV rack folded in) interior space: 140 sq ft. with 8’ ceilings weight: 13,000 lbs. power consumption: 1500 w (with a/c, lighting and power outlets in full operation) = 5 kwh/day or 156 kwh/month solar power production: 2700 w (full sun) = 11.65 kwh/day or 350 kwh/month battery backup capacity: 3-4 days
