Shipping containers have been used for a wide range of projects, from tiny houses to apartment buildings, and, despite their limitations, continue to spark the imaginations of architects. The latest example of this comes from UK design studio, Doone Silver Kerr, which used the metal boxes to create a hotel in London.
Located in the center of London, the Stow-Away Hotel consists of 25 recycled shipping containers stacked five in a row, to offer a total of 20 rooms which can be used for short or longer stays. A wine bar and reception area are installed on the ground floor.
From the outside, the hotel looks like a futuristic depiction of what architects and urban planners might come up with to supply the growing housing demand fueled by the world’s fast urbanization.
The interior, however, features a playful space-optimization, with each room including a kitchenette equipped with a hot plate, sink and dishwasher, along with cutlery and cooking equipment. The bathroom includes a shower, sink, and toilet, while the beds are multi-functional to make the most of the constrained space, with wall cushions along one side so that it can double as a place to sit and watch television.
