aedifica: shipping container snackbox in times square

‘snackbox’ by aedifica, times square, new york all images © cesar nicolescu

montreal-based firms aedifica and muvbox have teamed up to bring ‘snackbox’, a shipping container turned modern canteen, to new york’s times square. created for restauranteur jonathan morr, the movable venue sells iconic new york street food with a gourmet flair. located on a section of broadway with no vehicular traffic but many pedestrians, morr needed a compact structure that would fit into the limited space, yet still stand out amidst the visually saturated area.

the bold black and white graphics contrast the colorful environment, while the dimensions of the container are just large enough to work as a food vending station. 20 feet (6 meters) long, the box is movable and entirely self-sufficient. working off the gird, a fresh and grey water supply tank is embedded into the floor. the power comes from hybrid energy systems, combining electric batteries and a generator. in the winter, the recuperating heat from the generator is used to heat the interior for the staff, optimizing the small space. for the service area, the a section of the wall pivots upward, transforming from a closed entity into a bar with an awning. the quick transformation allows the vendor to open and close in minutes.

street view of the gourmet pop-up vendor

the shipping container opens up during the day and folds back at night

interior view

bold black and white graphics contrast the colorful surroundings

view of the container at night when it is closed for business

— design-aerobics 2012: POP-UP course january 17 – march 17, 2012

this online design course will take a look at temporary structures, from living quarters and exhibition stands to container stores and market stalls, exploring the concept of ‘pop-up’ architecture. for more information on design-aerobics courses and how to enroll click here.