Architecture

Artistic space constructed from shipping containers and double-decker buses

Artistic space constructed from shipping containers and double-decker buses
The Village Underground Lisboa project opened its doors in May (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
The Village Underground Lisboa project opened its doors in May (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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The Village Underground Lisboa project opened its doors in May (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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The Village Underground Lisboa project opened its doors in May (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
Each container sports five tables aimed at startups, artists, and musicians (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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Each container sports five tables aimed at startups, artists, and musicians (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
Each of the two double-decker buses contains a cafeteria (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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Each of the two double-decker buses contains a cafeteria (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
Each of the two double-decker buses contains a cafeteria (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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Each of the two double-decker buses contains a cafeteria (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
When complete, the second phase of the Village Underground Lisboa project will add a stage for concerts and a theater (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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When complete, the second phase of the Village Underground Lisboa project will add a stage for concerts and a theater (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
Each container sports five tables aimed at startups, artists, and musicians (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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Each container sports five tables aimed at startups, artists, and musicians (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
The space contains 14 shipping containers (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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The space contains 14 shipping containers (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
There are also two double-decker buses (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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There are also two double-decker buses (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
The Village Underground Lisboa project opened its doors in May (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
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The Village Underground Lisboa project opened its doors in May (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
View gallery - 9 images

We've previously covered lots of shipping container-based architecture projects on Gizmag, running the gamut from passively-cooled homes to larger structures like a shipping terminal. The latest such example to come to our attention is the Village Underground Lisboa: a multi-use space aimed at creative types that was recently installed in Portugal's capital city.

Building work on the Village Underground Lisboa is still ongoing, but phase one has been completed and the doors opened in May. The complex is installed in Lisbon's Carris Museum, a public transport history museum, and comprises 14 used shipping containers and two double-decker buses, arranged to form office spaces, a cafeteria, and central courtyard.

Each container sports five tables aimed at startups, artists, and musicians (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)
Each container sports five tables aimed at startups, artists, and musicians (Photo: Village Underground Lisboa)

Each container sports five tables aimed at startups, artists, and other creative types, and the business derives its income by charging patrons €150 (US$197) per table, per month, including Wi-Fi, electricity, and cleaning services. The workspaces can also be rented by the hour, week or whatever suits. Each of the two double-decker buses contains a cafeteria.

The second phase of the Village Underground Lisboa project will add a stage for concerts and a theater, and the organizers also plan to collaborate with London's own Village Underground, which opened back in 2007 and features recycled trains and shipping containers.

Though shipping containers certainly aren't ideal for every purpose and pose some pitfalls such as insulation and heat gain (and loss) issues, in this case they seem a pretty good fit – assuming the operable windows are adequate to maintain a comfortable temperature during Portugal's summer.

Source: Village Underground Lisboa

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1 comment
1 comment
Mel Tisdale
As long as they don't detract from Lisbon's beauty, it seems a good idea.