Universities are coming up with new, affordable, and eco-friendly ways to live on campus, and one cool trend is “shipping container dorms.” These are steel boxes originally used for moving stuff across oceans, but now they’re being turned into dorm rooms that are good for the environment. This idea came from the tiny living movement and the need for cheaper student housing, creating a whole new way of living at college.
Benefits of Using Shipping Containers for Student Housing
- Saving Money: Dorms made from shipping containers can be a cheaper option for student housing. It’s often less expensive to buy and turn shipping containers into dorm rooms than to build in the usual way.
- Strong and Safe: Made of steel, shipping containers are tough and can handle bad weather, bugs, and even theft. This means they can last a long time and keep students safe.
- Easy to Move: These dorms can be designed to move around, which is great if you need to change their location or if you’re looking for a temporary place to stay.
- Smart Use of Space: Although shipping containers aren’t very big, they can be arranged cleverly to make a cozy and functional living space for students.
- Make It Your Own: You can change shipping container dorms to fit what you need and like. Whether it’s the style inside or other features, you can make a living space that feels just right.
Examples of Shipping Containers Dorms in Higher Education
Numerous higher education institutions have adopted the concept of converting shipping containers into student housing because of the multiple advantages they provide.
- The College of Idaho Owyhee and Sawtooth Residence Halls, the newest dorms at the College, became famous because indieDwell, a company from Caldwell, turned old shipping containers into new rooms. These dorms were ready for students by Fall 2020. This is the first time shipping containers have been used for student housing.
Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, opened a new 98 student housing complex made from repurposed shipping containers in Nashville Tenn. The new dorms were created to accommodate the historically black liberal arts college’s rising enrollment. The new housing, which started welcoming students in Fall 2023, is the university’s fifth place for students to live. The idea behind using shipping containers is to quickly provide more places for students to live, according to one of Fisk’s executive vice presidents, Jens Frederiksen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the adoption of shipping container dorms by universities showcases a significant shift towards innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable student housing solutions. By repurposing steel containers, institutions are not only addressing the need for affordable accommodation but are also contributing to environmental conservation. This trend reflects a broader movement towards embracing eco-friendly practices in higher education, providing students with unique living spaces that are durable, customizable, and adaptable to their needs. As more colleges and universities explore this option, shipping container dorms could become a hallmark of modern campus life.
