Cargotecture
For my final year thesis at Leicester School of Architecture, I explored how architectural intervention could address Berlin's housing crisis through sustainable upcycling of shipping containers. The project proposes a factory in Kreuzberg that combines container conversion with a novel worker-housing program, creating both employment and housing opportunities for the local community.
My contribution
Architectural Design
Research
Design Concept
The proposed factory's form evolved from studying the container conversion process, which I broke down into eight distinct stages. Each stage occupies its own bay in the building, creating a unique architectural profile that makes the industrial process visible to the public. The facility's location on the River Spree allows for direct container delivery and creates an engaging public interface along the waterfront.
Social Impact Through Architecture
This academic exploration demonstrates how architecture can address multiple urban challenges simultaneously. The design proposes a system where workers earn housing credits through production, creating a sustainable cycle of housing creation and community development. The transparent factory design makes industrial processes visible to the public, encouraging engagement with local manufacturing.
