container architecture at NRW forum düsseldorf

container architecture exhibition NRW-forum düsseldorf, germany on now through september 4, 2011

‘container architecture’ at the NRW-forum düsseldorf in düsseldorf, germany ‘self contained’ by michael johansson located in sweden, 2010 image © NRW-Forum düsseldorf

the exhibition ‘container architecture’ at the NRW-forum düsseldorf focuses on the 2.44 meter wide, 2.59 meter high and 6.06 or 12.192 meter module synonymous with world trade and prosperous times. with as many as thirty million shipping containers found on international waters at any one moment, this growing surplus has led to an increased fascination with their application outside of globalized trade.

model of ‘freitag store’ building by spillmann echsle located in zurich, switzerland image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

architects, artists and designers were invited to submit their proposed or realized designs. the result is an exhibition which displays photographs as well as large scale models of various projects which range in program and application. featured structures include dwellings, student residences, retail, bridges and sculptures. also on show are examples of emergency and welfare housing which are of current social relevance for victims of natural disasters. inexpensive and easily transported, this adaptable construction strategy has intrigued many architects and is widely suggested to become the prevalent design approach of the future.

model of ‘freitag store’ piercing through the ceiling image © NRW-forum düsseldorf   model of ‘conhouse 2+’ by jure kotnik image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

‘conhouse 2+’ by jure kotnik located in slovenia, 2008 image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

model of mirrored container by stefan sous located in versailles image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

mirrored container by stefan sous located in versailles, 2011 image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

model of rheinflügel, kunsthaus zug mobil image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

rheinflügel, kunsthaus zug mobil, 2002 image © guido baselgia, baar (schweiz)

model of ‘hoorn bridge’ by luc deleu / t.o.p. office image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

‘hoorn bridge’ by luc deleu / t.o.p. office, located in hoorn, netherlands, 1990 © wim riemens

model of ‘kunstlab orbino’ by luc deleu / t.o.p. office image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

‘kunstlab orbino’ by luc deleu / t.o.p. office located in the netherlands, 2002 image © steven van den bergh

‘studenthousingship’ by sculp(it) architects, 2005 image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

‘studenthousingship’ by sculp(it) architects, 2005image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

model of ‘puma city’ by lot-ek image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

model of ‘puma city’ by lot-ek image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

model of ‘puma city’ by lot-ek image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

model of ‘lotto turm’ by lars bahrendt image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

large scale model image © NRW-forum düsseldorf

model with projection screen image © NRW-forum düsseldorf