Expandable container housing refers to buildings constructed using standard shipping containers as basic modules through design and modification (such as cutting, splicing, and stacking), integrating living facilities such as insulation, plumbing, electricity, doors, and windows. Its core feature is its scalability, meaning the housing can be expanded or contracted horizontally or vertically to meet changing user needs (such as family growth or changes in functional needs).
The background of global development stems from:
Global trade imbalances: A large number of containers remain unused in consumer countries, providing cheap and abundant raw materials for recycling.
Global challenges: Rapid urbanization, housing shortages, climate change, and the refugee crisis have created an urgent need for fast, efficient, and affordable construction solutions.
Concept diffusion: The concepts of sustainable development and the circular economy have spread globally through the internet and media, increasing the appeal of this type of architecture.
