Low Cost Shipping Container Office Space, Los Angeles, California







About Pallotta TeamWorks
About Clive Wilkinson Architects
Interview with Clive Wilkinson by Sean Dorsy AIA, 2011




ProjectPallotta TeamWorks Workplace
DesignClive Wilkinson Architects
TypeOffices, Warehouse Conversion
Area47,000 SF
LocationAtwater Village, Los Angeles, California
Year2002
PhotoBenny Chan, Fotoworks


Description from architects

A growing American charity event company, Pallotta TeamWorks, approached the firm with a challenging proposition: to create an inspiring new headquarters for them in a raw warehouse with a shoestring budget. After a preliminary budget analysis, it emerged that they had insufficient funds to even air-condition the space.

This tight constraint led to a concept of locating the client's work areas in air-conditioned breathing islands' loosely enclosed in tents, within the unconditioned warehouse. All infrastructure was analyzed for optimum distribution paths, and minimal structural alteration. To further save money, shipping containers acted as both private offices and the corner anchors for the tent structures. The resulting project generated considerable savings in use over conventional office build-outs, and reinforced the client's message of promoting responsible, sustainable ways of living on this planet. The project won several design awards, including a national AIA Honor Award.

3 Story 4 Bedroom Shipping Container Home, Costa Rica







About 506 Tennis Court




Containers5
Price$699,000
Bedrooms4
Bathrooms3
LocationNosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica


This 3 story 4 bedroom shipping container home is in the 506 Tennis Center compound which is the only gated community with full time security in Esperanza. Less than a 5 minute drive to the beach in Playa Guiones or more secluded South Playa Guiones! It has 2 swimming pools, 3 hard true surface and 2 clay tennis courts, as well as 3 guard houses to allow only homeowners and renters into the community. For added security, the guards make regular rounds at night. They have never had a security issue since they began over 15 years ago!!

We wanted the main feature of the shipping container home to be based on simple eco-living elegance. It was built to have as little of a footprint on the environment as possible using 5 recycled containers, natural stone (much of which was found on the premises) and wood and as little cement (which contributes up to 17% of the earths greenhouse gases!!) as possible.

When we designed the shipping container home, we wanted all bedrooms separate from each other. This also allows for privacy come bedtime or waking up in the morning (no one else has to be woken up accidentally by your 5 am dawn patrol sesh!). The two bedrooms on the 2nd and 3rd floor have their own bathroom, while 2 bedrooms and an office/bedroom share an adjacent bathroom. All of the rooms have A/C and high end ceiling fans.

The shipping container home sits on 3.25 acres of very private land with hundred of fruit trees such as lime, orange, star fruit, mango, banana and avocado as well as hundreds of gorgeous flowering precious wood trees such as Cortez Amarillo, Cortez Negro, Sandal, Llamaron del Bosque, Orgullo de La India and Malinche. There is a 1.5 Km mountain bike single track with jumps, berms and flowering hibiscus tunnels, also enjoyable for walking!! Part of the trail follows a lovely stream. There are ocean views from the 3rd and 4th floor and in the dry season from the 2nd floor. The back of the home has a breathtaking view of the San Juan and Garza mountains in the distance while still only being 15 minute walk to the beach! Also during the dry season, there are usually water shortages which cause the local water authority to cut off service for hours at a time. We have a 2500 gallon backup cistern so Casa Olindez will never be out of water!

We didn’t take any shortcuts on the amenities but we have kept them simple. All 4 of the massive outdoor decks and all the ceilings are almond wood and furniture is Almond, Cocobolo, Brazilian Cherry, Cortez Amarillo, Sandal, Cedar and Teak. Many of the same trees are full grown on the premises to be enjoyed by our guests.




Monkeys pass within feet of the 3rd floor shower window and 4th story view deck in the mornings and afternoon! Families can enjoy the nature trails, tennis, ping pong, foosball and just relaxing in a hammock on the decks!

We believe the pictures of the home speak better than our words!