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Maritime containers recycled as offices or homes arrived in the area as a novelty for the oil companies, which were looking for quick, cheap and temporary constructions due to the explosion in the activity of Vaca Muerta. However, the borders of this modality expanded over time and today they are in demand for lake or mountain land as weekend homes, which is why an ordinance to regulate them has already been passed in San Martín de los Andes.
From the Plottainer company, one of the most popular in the installation of container houses in the region, they clarified that the demand is always fluctuating, although this year it grew compared to previous years. "It occurs due to several factors and one that we see is the instability generated by the increase in the dollar, and that makes many who have savings turn to the purchase of these units so as not to lose the value of what they have saved," Francisco explained. Huento and Javier Lima, the owners of the firm.
As detailed, 70% of clients bet on this type of construction for their vacation or weekend homes, so most of the homes are installed in points such as Mari Menuco, Villa El Chocón or Andean towns, which work as a second residence for Neuquén families. "Many of our clients are retirees," they clarified.
Although container houses have certain advantages in terms of construction speed and final price compared to other more traditional alternatives, the Neuquén College of Architects warned about the risks of betting on the construction methods that are imposed as passing fashions and that do not have the solidity of other formats designed from the beginning to be used as homes.
Diego López de Murillas, president of the College, explained that the traditional construction system -wet with bricks- is the least ecologically sustainable, so there is a global trend to use dry or mixed methods to diversify a demand for construction that, in a 70% or 80%, is of traditional format.
«The classic maritime container can be used as a home, except that it has been manufactured for another purpose (transfer merchandise) and therefore for its “change of function” it must be made habitable, given comfort. For that, you have to solve the installations, insulation, which are not easy to carry out in a metal container, “said López de Murillas.
Although he clarified that there are different experiences and results, he always advised to take into account the regulations and the need to adapt these structures for habitability. "The current regulations of each Municipality require both these habitability conditions to be met, as well as compliance with structural standards in the event of earthquakes and movements, which goes against the popular idea that a container is cheaper, when it is very possible that the result end up being more expensive," he said.
In this context, from the Deliberative Council of San Martín de los Andes they have already sanctioned an ordinance to adapt the installation of container-type houses and make them comply with current regulations for other more traditional constructions. According to the text, these structures can be used as temporary warehouses, workshops or as permanent homes.
In the event that they are used as a home, it is clarified that “heights, surfaces, minimum measurements, ventilation, lighting, and everything indicated by current regulations for the type of construction that is projected must be respected. You can choose to respect the roof slopes required by current regulations or you can keep the original roof, treating it as a green roof and guaranteeing its conservation. Regardless of the option adopted, up to 50% of the surface of the roof with an accessible terrace may be occupied, the views of neighboring lots and maximum heights for the area must be respected.
In turn, it indicates: «In the event of projecting extensions or semi-covered areas made with other construction systems or materials, they must respect the roof slopes indicated in current regulations. The façade materials must respect what is indicated in the Building Code”.
In this way, the specialists clarify that it is necessary to adapt the structures to add not only more comfort in the habitat but also compliance with the building codes of each locality. "That is one of the questions that clients ask us the most, the issue of municipal authorization," they said from Plottainer and clarified that they work with a Master Builder to carry out the necessary plans and the work agreement they give step to authorization.
The firms referents pointed out that technology allows adding square meters and more sophisticated designs to the typical containers that were associated with oil activity. To this is added another intrinsic characteristic of these structures, which stand out for their great resistance since they were created to withstand long sea voyages.
"It is important that municipalities begin to accept them because they are containers that have high quality standards and approvals from civil engineers," they explained. In the case of San Martín de los Andes, they have built 60-square-meter houses adapted to the snowy slopes.
In the company they do turnkey projects and even provide for the air conditioning of the environments. Most opt ??for the technology of hot and cold air conditioning, with electrical energy, which can already be pre-installed in the project. In other cases, it is the owners who add this equipment and there are even those who request authorizations to install gas heating with registered gas fitters.
"The main advantages are that they are sustainable homes, that they do not waste water and that they allow the recycling of 5 tons of steel," the entrepreneurs pointed out. "Also the speed, in 40 days you already have a habitable home without having to coordinate with gas workers, bricklayers or plumbers," they said.
Although prices are very changeable in todays economic scenario, when it comes to houses in Andean destinations, since they require adding the price of transportation and adaptation to mountain terrain.
As with all homes, residents may need to invest in improvements or maintenance later. The firms referents assured that maintaining a container is easier than renewing the paint and making arrangements in a traditional home, since they are built with very resistant materials. However, they detailed that there are many who choose innovative designs or other comfort features to completely transform the structures. "We ask that they have 70% of the funds to start the work and guarantee the purchase of the materials," they clarified.
For the partners, it is important that the municipalities work on the issue and demand minimum standards of quality and resistance of the structures. From that floor, each owner will be able to decide how much and how to invest to convert a shipping container into his own home. |
