Recognising the need to construct a new ablution block with accessible facilities, Rosemount Nursery enlisted GeoBox Pty Ltd to design and build a facility, customised for the needs of their customers and staff.

Rosemount Nursery is a premier nursery and garden centre located on the Sunshine Coast. They are a leading supplier of garden and landscaping supplies throughout the local area and beyond.

Referred to GeoBox Pty Ltd by an existing shipping container customer, Rosemount Nursery met with the GeoBox Pty Ltd team in late 2020 to discuss the construction of a new ablution facility for their site.

Accessibility and aesthetics were key elements for the newly designed ablution block

The existing amenities block at Rosemount Nursery was outdated and inefficient. It didn’t meet the criteria for disabled access, nor did it have any infant care facilities.

Identifying the need for a new, modern ablution block, Rosemount Nursery briefed the GeoBox Pty Ltd team, highlighting that they wanted the facility to blend harmoniously with their current industrial/garden environment, while also featuring an added touch of quirkiness.

Plans are drawn up, council gives the green light and work begins

Upon entering the GeoBox Pty Ltd shipping container yard for their first meeting, the Rosemount team spotted GeoBox Pty Ltd’s own toilet block which is located right beside their office. They instantly knew this was the design they wanted.

GeoBox Pty Ltd supplied Rosemount Nursery with a concept drawing of the portable ablution block. They took this to their engineer who finalised the design and drew up plans, ready for council approval.

Once the go-ahead from council was received, GeoBox Pty Ltd began work on the custom shipping container build.

Streamlined communication and continuous client updates were essential to ensure a smooth build process

Rosemount Nursery’s new portable ablution block incorporates one disabled toilet with a nappy changing facility, one ambulant toilet & two standard toilets.

While this was a straightforward build for the experienced GeoBox Pty Ltd team, there were some supply delays, which is a common issue in the current building industry. In particular, there was an extended wait for Rosemount Nursery’ special-order toilets which have a clean line bowl, maximising hygiene and cleanliness – both crucial in today’s climate.

“There was a delay on the supply of the toilets for Rosemount Nursery’s ablution facility – with three changes in delivery times! Although this is not uncommon in this day and age, our team went above and beyond to ensure the lines of communication were kept open with our client, setting realistic expectations and keeping them up-to-date with their build at all times. This was key to the project’s success”, said Mr Hooper.

The new ablution block has now been installed on-site at Rosemount Nursery, with customers and staff both very happy with the updated facilities.

The post Case Study: Rosemount Nursery engages GeoBox Pty Ltd to build a custom ablution block at their retail garden centre appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

Over the last few months shipping container seller scams have been rife with scammers taking advantage of increasing market prices and the COVID restrictions that has moved many interactions to online only.

GeoBox Pty Ltd is increasingly hearing reports of people making payments and not being able to recover them after exposing the business they have paid as being a scam. Most experiences involve lodging online enquiries, either through Facebook adverts or Google adverts and receiving emails similar to below.

Note: use of gmail email, ABN not matching business name, website a .com and not Australian nor matching the claimed business name. No full address.

Known fraudulent names / business names in use

• www.montoshippingcontainerau.com
• www.anderscontainers.com
• www.alshippingcontainersau.com
• www.containersalesau.com
• www.whitehorsetowingltd.com
• www.container-discounts.com
• www.titanshippingcontainers.com
• www.container-pty.com
• www.wtglobe.com
• www.customshippingcontainersau.com

Below are some tips you should take to reduce the risk of being scammed.

1. Verify the business you are dealing with. Request a copy of current business registration certificate, liability insurance, bank account proof of ownership. Look for proof of full address, a publicly listed number, Google location information, Facebook business profiles, third part site mentions, reviews, and ensure they have a .com.au website address.

2. Call the publicised number. Check for an Australian published contact number. When speaking, do they sound legitimate? Ask lots of questions about locations and containers.

3. Check email and website addresses. Legitimate businesses will not use a Gmail or Hotmail email account. Their email and website will use their business name and .com.au.

4. Payments. Legitimate businesses will not accept bitcoin as payment. Consider paying by a method you can challenge/reverse (check with your bank for advice).

I am not sure if I am dealing with a scammer

Think you may be dealing with a scam shipping container seller business? We’d be happy to provide you some advice, and a real price on a real container. Call us on (048) 998-9109.

The post WARNING: Shipping Container Sales Scams! appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

GeoBox Pty Ltd transform JAWA’s initial concept into a purpose-built space

JAWA first came to GeoBox Pty Ltd with rough drawings, outlining the space they wished to create. It needed to be a conducive environment for selling, away from the noise of the showroom and a comfortable area for both their salespeople and customers.

“We knew and trusted the Managing Director of GeoBox Pty Ltd, Spencer, having worked with him in the shipping container industry for a number of years. We’d seen a lot of his work and knew that his team were very experienced in delivering shipping container office and sales buildings.” Emmy Perry, JAWA

Looking for a temporary solution, a portable sales office provided the perfect solution for JAWA. Rather than utilising a portable which is 3m wide and not easy to transport, they could use two shipping containers (each measuring 2.4m), which could be transported to site and simply joined together to provide the space required.

The GeoBox Pty Ltd team met with John from JAWA to discuss his requirements and desired outcome. Tweaking the original concept, GeoBox Pty Ltd drew up the plans to include a kitchen along with a spacious welcoming deck that doubles as an outdoor area.

Project ‘JAWA Sales Office’ gets underway

Once the plans were finalised, GeoBox Pty Ltd worked diligently to transport the containers to site. However, once they arrived, the JAWA team decided they’d prefer to change the orientation of the office.

GeoBox Pty Ltd were able to accommodate this change of plan with ease. An agile and versatile team, they moved quickly to order in a crane and re-configure the modular shipping containers to suit.

Then, once the containers were installed, the GeoBox Pty Ltd team got to work – joining, waterproofing and insulating the office. Next, they installed power, air conditioning, data points and a phone system, ready for JAWA to organise the plumbing and move in.

Working diligently, GeoBox Pty Ltd completed the JAWA project within a 12 week period (even despite Christmas and COVID-19 restrictions).

The post Case Study: GeoBox Pty Ltd helps JAWA Campers transform their customer experience with a purpose-built sales office appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

As a leading shipping container supplier, we know there are some big players out there in the market, but we like to think of ourselves as small and mighty. We’re small enough to give you genuine personalised service but large enough to handle complex shipping container modifications.

Extensive industry experience

The GeoBox Pty Ltd team is led by Spencer, Sean, Garth and Simone and between the four of us, we have over 80 years’ experience in the industry. When you give GeoBox Pty Ltd a call, the person you speak with has the experience to answer your questions, the power to make decisions and will be with you throughout the entire hire, purchase or modification process.

Personalised service

It’s not just a line, we are truly dedicated to giving you a personalised experience. For starters, we’re set up in such a way that you can come onsite and meet your shipping container supplier in person. Our depot is purpose-built for you to view the containers and get to know our team and our capabilities.

Whether you’re buying or hiring a container for the first time or you’re a large organisation needing multiple, modified containers, your business is equally important to us. And once your container project is underway, it’s overseen by one person rather than being passed through a series of departments. This ensures a streamlined process with less chance of miscommunication.

Efficient container solutions

Small enough to not incur the huge overheads of bigger organisations and large enough to hold genuine buying power, GeoBox Pty Ltd passes our operational and cost efficiencies on to you, whether you’re buying, hiring or custom-modifying a shipping container.

We are flexible and agile, able to deliver great turnaround times to ensure we meet your timeframe. Well-connected within the industry, we’re also able to call on a range of quality suppliers as we need, from draftspeople and technicians, through to a number of other professional organisations.

Need a shipping container supplier who is thorough, yet quick to deliver?

Whether you’re looking to buy, hire, construct or modify, call 07 3888 3011 to chat with our team about your specific requirements, or request a quote online.

The post A small and dynamic shipping container supplier delivering big solutions appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

Designing and building a versatile, compact facility for a lot feeding business, GeoBox Pty Ltd provided a custom shipping container solution. When a lot feeding business decided to upgrade their office, check-in and amenity facilities, they contacted GeoBox Pty Ltd, looking for a multi-faceted shipping container solution. Operating in a premium market, they needed the entry to their premises to align with their brand, provide staff with a welcoming work environment, and reflect the high level of their quality products and service.

Converting a customer’s idea into a practical and definitive concept

Wanting to provide optimum facilities for their staff and truck drivers, the lot feeding business first got in touch with GeoBox Pty Ltd via an online enquiry. The brief was that they needed to accommodate staff and office needs, trucks checking in and out of the premises, as well as amenities for long-haul drivers to refresh and revive. Responding with a detailed quote, GeoBox Pty Ltd went above and beyond to map out the best method of transforming the initial idea into a versatile shipping container configuration. Then, getting the green light from the customer, GeoBox Pty Ltd moved quickly to deliver a more comprehensive concept.

A unique, multi-level shipping container design is developed

Incorporating two shipping containers, GeoBox Pty Ltd’s concept encompassed a two-storey facility. One 40ft container on the ground level accommodates separate male and female shower and toilets. And, on the upper level is a 20ft container incorporating the office and check-in/check-out point. Thrilled with this plan, the customer gave the go-ahead to move the project into the design stage.

Customer required a neat, clean and compact design

Once the plans were drawn up, GeoBox Pty Ltd began the build and fit-out at their in-house facility. Crucial to this project was that the facility be compact and neat. The customer required the plumbing and electrical to be all located in one central place and rather than having the pipes exposed, they needed them to be recessed. This addressed an important safety issue, minimising the risk of injury and damage, with the high volume of trucks entering and leaving the premises. Adept problem-solvers, GeoBox Pty Ltd specifically designed and built the facility to ensure the pipes were concealed, while still maximising the internal space.

Each measurement in the build had to be exact

GeoBox Pty Ltd brought in their team of licenced contractors to install the shower and toilets. Like putting a puzzle together, these had to be installed one-by-one, knowing that if any of the measurements were out, the design wouldn’t work as planned. Upstairs in the check-in office, GeoBox Pty Ltd built two access points, a door at the front and the back of the container. This allows staff to enter and leave the building with ease, while truck drivers check-in at the front desk only. Keeping the office self-sufficient, GeoBox Pty Ltd also organised the installation of a hot water system for the staff to use.

The final touch is added before handover

Upon completion of the fit-out, GeoBox Pty Ltd also organised for the shipping containers to be painted in the customer’s corporate colours, ensuring they aligned perfectly with their brand.

GeoBox Pty Ltd then delivered the complete fitted-out containers to site, where the customer organised their own electrical and plumbing connection. The customer also built their own platforms, stairs and verandah to enable easy upper-level access.

A fast, efficient and streamlined process from concept to completion

Completing the project within 7 – 8 weeks from project approval through to delivery of the shipping containers, GeoBox Pty Ltd ensured the process was smooth, quick and easy.

Delivering well within the expected timeframe, the customer is extremely happy with their new facilities, as are their staff, truck drivers and visitors.

The post Case Study: GeoBox Pty Ltd delivers a multi-functional shipping container facility appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

With the Christmas rush just around the corner, wouldn’t it feel great to tick cold storage off your to-do list? Even better? Knowing your refrigerated container will give you accurate and reliable temperature control, is economical to run and extremely user-friendly.

Let us introduce you to our ArcticStore and SuperStore purpose-built, domestic cold storage containers.

Whether you’re a caterer, event organiser, supermarket, grower or hospital, our refrigerated containers ensure your food and drinks are kept at the perfect temperature; even when people are opening and closing the door consistently. They’re also perfect for storing and transporting pharmaceuticals, life sciences and geological samples.

Part of our TITAN Container range, the versatile ArcticStore is available in 10ft, 20ft and 40ft lengths. Or if you need more space, the SuperStore consists of several ArcticStores joined together to create an open-plan or individually zoned mega refrigerated area.

From short term hire to long-term leasing, ArcticStores and SuperStores are power efficient, quick to construct, can be connected to any building and are inexpensive to transport. Featuring marine-grade stainless steel internal walls and ceilings, along with marine-grade non-slip aluminium floors, they’re rust-proof, provide a safe anti-slip workspace, are practical for food storage and can be hospital-grade cleaned.

Precise and reliable, the ArcticStore gives you unmatched temperature control

ArcticStore refrigerated containers have been designed to provide you with exceptional cost-efficiency, practicality and functionality. Featuring a unique capacity to raise or lower the temperature of a product, this gives you unprecedented control in regulating the correct climate to ensure maximum refrigeration quality. Additionally, the container humidity can be adjusted between 50 and 99 per cent, accommodating a broad range of products and applications.

With fast pulldown, your products quickly reach the required temperature, whether you need to chill food and drinks, freeze meat, store vaccines or take the heat out of freshly picked fruit and vegetables. It also enables a fast recovery back to the set temperature point. This is critical when doors are frequently being opened and closed.

Utilised across a range of industries, ArcticStore containers are low on power consumption, offer easy accessibility, include a range of safety features and are designed to maximise your operational efficiency.

Need a mega cold-storage space? Meet the SuperStore

Flexible in design, our SuperStores provide you with as much cold storage space that you need – all under the one roof. From an open-plan refrigerated area to multi-zones with internal sliding doors, we can tailor a solution to suit your exact requirements.

A more cost-effective alternative to building permanent cold storage, our SuperStore containers are available for lease in both 20ft and 40ft lengths, which we then join to create your very own mega space.

An exceptional refrigerated container solution across a range of industries

Supermarket storage

Perfect for storing fresh or frozen foods, the ArcticStore offers fresh air exchange along with controlled and modified atmosphere options. We can also chill and blast freeze as well as supply mobile rapid tempering.

Event Catering

GeoBox Pty Ltd will deliver your selected ArcticStore to your event – on time, every time. Keeping catered food and drinks at the perfect chilled temperature, our containers are also user-friendly, providing your staff with easy and safe access.

Hospital Catering

Providing your catering department with additional space to store meals, food and produce, the ArcticStore is an ideal solution for when your refrigeration units are being serviced.

Fruit and vegetables

Extending the shelf-life of your fresh produce through controlled fresh air exchange, our containers can quickly remove field heat from produce.

Pharmaceutical

Drugs, medicines, vaccines, bio and life science require the highest standards of cold storage. Meeting these requirements, ArcticStore and SuperStore containers provide a hygienic refrigerated environment with zero temperature variance. ArcticStores with Magnum Plus refrigeration can also be GDP certified.

Meat and poultry

With an operating range of -40°C to +45°C, ArcticStores and SuperStores provide effective, efficient and affordable cold storage for fresh or frozen meat and poultry products.

Fish, shellfish and tuna

Hygienic and easy to clean, the ArcticStores feature four hermetic drains through which any melted ice can escape. Also featuring a low fan speed, this reduces hydration of unprotected fish during storage.

Flowers, plants and seed

Featuring fresh air exchange, the ArcticStore provides a healthy storage environment and reduces the risk of dehydration for cut flowers, bulbs, infant trees, mushrooms and all living plants.

Geological storage

Ideal for storing soil samples, the ArcticStore will maintain geological specimens at their original temperature to enable more accurate readings.

User-friendly features that make a big difference

Power-saving door sensors

Every door in the ArcticStore and SuperStore containers is installed with a sensor. This triggers the cooling system to switch off when a door is opened and back on once it’s closed. Minimising humidity within the container, this functionality optimises power-efficiency.

One-hand opening doors

Allowing staff to easily open and close the container door, the one-hand opening doors provide improved accessibility – perfect for when your hands are full.

40/60 doors

The 40/60 doors that feature in each ArcticStore and SuperStore mean that generally, only one door needs to be opened for people to move in and out. Not only helpful for accessibility, this also improves cooling efficiency.

External hitch points

Imperative to workplace safety, the external hitch points are purpose-built to secure open doors, even in the windiest conditions.

Strip curtains

Fitted with strip curtains, these reduce any heat gain while container doors are open.

Internal lighting

Each ArcticStore and SuperStore features internal lighting, allowing staff to easily navigate the refrigerated container when it’s dark.

Illuminated internal signage

All internal safety, escape and ID signage is iridescent and clearly visible. This ensures that if there is a power failure, all personnel inside the unit can exit the refrigerated container safely.

Purpose-built ramp

Each cold storage container is supplied with a purpose-built ramp which is graded to 600kg capacity, allowing for the use of cages and manual pallet lifters.

Health & safety is a priority for our refrigerated containers

Focused on health and safety, ArcticStores and SuperStores are designed to protect you and your workers. Minimising the risk of injury, their safety features include:

• Internal door release
• Anti-slip aluminium flat floor (as opposed to a t-bar floor)
• Internal lighting
• Panic alarm with siren
• Ground to floor ramp

SmartArctic Remote Monitoring

Did you know you can control your ArcticStore or SuperStore remotely from anywhere in the world? SmartArctic gives you the ability to set up, monitor and manage your refrigerated containers – all from your desktop, tablet or smartphone.

Saving you time and money, you can configure set-points, initiate defrosting and receive alarm notifications. And if there is a malfunction, we can diagnose it quickly, minimising any downtime.

Who are TITAN Containers?

TITAN Containers is a global storage and shipping container company, with headquarters based in Denmark. Their fleet of ArcticStore and SuperStore containers are relatively new (no more than 5 years old), providing the advantage of better-efficiency and lower power consumption.

As their Queensland agent, GeoBox Pty Ltd hires, repairs and installs TITAN ArcticStores and SuperStores.

Need a solution that delivers maximum cold storage quality?

Here to help with all your refrigerated storage needs, our GeoBox Pty Ltd team is on standby ready to tailor a solution to meet your exact needs. To speak with our team, call us on 07 3888 3011. Or, if you already know what you need, you can Request A Quote online.

The post Purpose-built Refrigerated Containers appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

New Build High Cube Shipping Container

• Custom Exterior Paint
• 50mm EPS Insulation Panel
• Commercial Vinyl Flooring
• Personnel Access Door
• Glass Sliding Window
• Electrical Pack
• Air Conditioner
• Three Sizes to Choose From

Want to know more about what is included?

Download the inclusions and specifications!

Download Inclusions

Interested in a Office Container?

Get in touch and see how we can bring your project to life!

Request A Quote

The post Office Container appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

New Build High Cube Shipping Container

• Custom Exterior Paint
• Shelving Units, 3-tier
• Sliding Window
• Electrical Pack
• Three Sizes to Choose From

Want to know more about what is included?

Download the inclusions and specifications!

Download Inclusions

Interested in a Storage Container?

Get in touch and see how we can bring your project to life!

Request A Quote

The post Storage Container appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

Transforming a concept into functional design, GeoBox Pty Ltd provided a custom solution

The scope for this project was developed over time and involved extensive collaboration between ExxonMobil and GeoBox Pty Ltd. ExxonMobil knew they needed a robust modular office solution and while they’d developed a rough concept, they required GeoBox Pty Ltd to provide guidance and transform their ideas into a customised, fully functional design.

Developing the early blueprints in-house, GeoBox Pty Ltd were able to provide ExxonMobil with a basic idea of the concept and how it would work. Once the plans were finalised, GeoBox Pty Ltd outsourced it to an architectural designer, who worked to both Australian standards and ExxonMobil’s stringent design standards to deliver a bespoke portable office solution.

From the initial plans through to the approved design, the project scope changed significantly. The overriding design encompassed the job being split into four sites with multiple offices in each location. The final output was 24 x 20ft custom containers, which included six amenities (toilet and shower) blocks.

Portable offices required to be extremely durable and resilient

Each 20ft open-plan container office was designed to accommodate between two and four staff. Fitting out these standard size containers was not without its challenges, however, GeoBox Pty Ltd were versatile and worked quickly and diligently to ensure they delivered the best solutions possible.

Taking into consideration that the shipping container offices were being transported by sea then taken by air to remote camps located 1,000 km inland from Lae, the offices needed to be practical and robust. They also had to be shipped ‘near to completion’, as there were minimal labour resources available to finish construction on site.

Security was a priority in the construction of bespoke shipping container offices

With a possibility of civil unrest throughout provincial and urban areas in PNG, ensuring the safety of staff is a priority for ExxonMobil. The shipping container offices needed to be extremely secure, enabling staff to take refuge for many hours, if necessary.

Following safety and security directives, GeoBox Pty Ltd fitted drop bars and peepholes to all personal access doors along with security grills on the windows. The offices also needed to provide comfort, and so were fully lined and insulated, with custom desks built-in.

Container layout with a purpose-built roof form a practical work hub

Encompassing a complete and functional workspace, GeoBox Pty Ltd designed the container layout to form a practical and efficient hub. Placing eight of the containers in a rectangular configuration, they constructed a custom-built roof which will be used to form a secure undercover area and meeting room. The roof structure is insulated and has a suspended ceiling. Supplied in kit form, it will be assembled on site.

Out of the eight containers, six are used as office units accommodating between two and four workers. Also included is one container fitted with toilet amenities and another container used as the server room.

GeoBox Pty Ltd built fully fitted custom amenities, ready for on-site connection​

Toilet and shower amenities for each site were included in the project scope, with specific requirements including porcelain toilets (that wouldn’t crack while being shipped) and custom-built stainless-steel shower trays that were both hard-wearing and stain-resistant.

While most of the modular amenities were fully fitted with hot water systems and plumbing before they were shipped, GeoBox Pty Ltd had to fit one range of amenities with their own waste and water tanks as these facilities were not available on site.

Near-complete and fully fitted out before shipping, GeoBox Pty Ltd ensured that all container modifications along with external measurements, complied with international shipping standards (ISO).

Shipping logistics also had to be factored into the design and build process​

Pentagon Freight collected the portable offices from GeoBox Pty Ltd’s depot and shipped them to Lae, PNG. Once they arrived in PNG, rather than transport them by road (a 1,000km rough terrain, high-risk journey), the containers were delivered to each site by ExxonMobil’s Hercules aircraft and helicopters.

For a project of this kind, GeoBox Pty Ltd would normally utilise high-cube containers which are 2.9m high. However, because the internal height of the aircraft measured only 2.7m high, GeoBox Pty Ltd needed to ensure the containers were the standard height of 2.6m. This was a crucial consideration in the design phase.

The logistics of helicopter transportation also required a detailed evaluation and strategy. As the standard containers are not DNV rated for lifting and transportation by helicopter, ExxonMobil used a custom-built cradle to safely transport the containers to site.

Open communication and a solution-focused approach was key to the project’s success

Working together in a collaborative partnership, this project ran smoothly from design through to delivery and final on-site completion. While the turnaround time had to be extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both teams worked diligently to overcome the unforeseen lockdowns, restrictions and social distancing.

Combining open and honest communication, with a creative, solution-focused methodology, the process was streamlined, efficient and successful.

“Putting their full trust in our team, ExxonMobil would simply tell us what they needed while the project was underway, and we’d work quickly to develop and deliver the best, timely solution.” Spencer Ives, GeoBox Pty Ltd

With the project now nearing completion, the shipping container offices provide exceptional space, comfort and functionality for the ExxonMobil team to work both efficiently and effectively.

The post Case Study: Custom-built Shipping Container Offices for ExxonMobil PNG appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

New Build High Cube Shipping Container

• Custom Exterior Paint
• 50mm EPS Insulation Panel
• Commercial Vinyl Flooring
• Personnel Access Door
• 1 x 2m Servery Awnings w/ Gas Struts
• Electrical Pack
• Three Sizes to Choose From

Want to know more about what is included?

Download the inclusions and specifications!

Download Inclusions

Interested in a canteen or cafe?

Get in touch and see how we can bring your project to life!

Request A Quote

The post Canteen / Cafe Container appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

Since then, large international brands such as Adidas, Tesla, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Samsung and Motorola have embraced this growing trend as part of their marketing campaigns, sidestepping the “hipster” label previously associated with pop-up shops.

What seemed at first a novelty – something new and fresh – has proven to deliver extremely positive results.

The pop-up format has multiple benefits for the brand. It allows for an interesting and unconventional connection with customers and lures in a younger audience including “influencers” – leaders who can drive your brand’s message to a larger market.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of the pop-up shop is generating awareness around your brand. Not only do pop-ups garner interest from foot traffic, they are also notorious for gaining traditional media and social media attention.

Pop up shops are generally implemented as part of a campaign with a specific goal in mind. This could be to test a new product, launch a new product, provide an exclusive preview, or get into a new market, just to name a few.

It’s important to remember that pop up retail isn’t just about making sales, however. Creativity is key and the format allows for a new method of engaging with customers.

Pop up shops can also be cafes, restaurants and food stalls, bars and bottle shops, merchandise stands, ticket stalls, offices and even art galleries.

Above: A pop up cafe created by GeoBox Pty Ltd for Unity College, Caloundra.

Shipping containers are a popular choice for pop up shops because they can be customised and fit-out offsite then easily transported to their location, ready for trading within minutes. They are strong and secure when closed, and can be modified to include lockable doors and windows.

Once the campaign is over, the shipping container pop-up shop is then easily relocated or modified for another tenant.

“Up-cycling” used containers is also far more sustainable than using new materials because thousands of shipping containers currently sit abandoned at ports around the world. While green is the new black, utilising used containers is a great choice.

Effective Pop Up Shops

Brisbane’s Eat Street Markets

Brisbane’s Eat Street Markets is an exciting food destination, offering an array of international cuisines in a casual setting. The most impressive part: stall holders operate out of shipping container pop ups.

To date, the shipping containers have created a great urban vibe and a unique aesthetic by the Brisbane river. Their practicality and versatility will truly be shown in the upcoming move.

A multi-million-dollar new-look Eat Street Markets – with an adventure park geared to national and international tourists – will open in “around five weeks” on a riverside site east of its current home near Hamilton Northside, the Brisbane Times reported a few of days ago.

Eat Street Markets traders received three weeks’ notice on Monday and told the new markets would open in five weeks.

A relocation of this scale is achieved so quickly thanks to the shipping container’s ease of transport, making them perfect of temporary and semi-permanent retail and hospitality spaces such as the Eat Street Markets.

#ALDIWINE

Aldi opened its very first wine shop in Shoreditch’s Box Park to promote its award-winning wine and new e-commerce offering, enticing Londoners with wine tastings and master-classes.

Aldi brought on board a resident Master of Wine – a certified expert and one of only 338 in the world – to provide assistance to customers.

The timing was strategic with the shipping container pop up store opening during London’s Wine Week. The location was also well thought out with Londoners spending the most on Aldi wines online.

The pop up shop created buzz and generated media interest for Aldi’s new products and services, putting their new offering in the spotlight.

Considering a pop up shop? Talk to GeoBox Pty Ltd today. We can work with you right from the conceptualisation stage, all the way through to selecting a container, making modifications, and delivering your shop to site, ready for trading. 

Call us today on 07 3888 3011.

The post Trends with Benefits: Shipping Container Pop Up Retail appeared first on GeoBox Pty Ltd.

We’ve compiled examples of shipping container homes for every budget, whether it be $20,000 or $1m+.

$20,000 – $30,000 Shipping Container Home

Renewable energy researcher Joseph Dupuis built this 355 square foot home using three shipping containers. It took him three months to build and is completely off-grid.

Solar panels on the containers’ roof provide electricity and there is a wood-powered stove to keep the home warm.

Dupuis hopes to inspire others to use alternative building methods and “get out of the pocket of big banks”.

“I see my friends buying $400,000 houses and they’re in debt for the next 35 years. It’s pretty backwards”, he says.

$35,000 Shipping Container Home

Larry Wade built this shipping container “cabin” in 2010 as a holiday home. He wanted it to be self sufficient yet have all the normal comforts of home. The cabin utilises two 40ft (12m) shipping containers that have been placed on concrete piers and welded together.

Learn more about shipping container foundation methods here.

The cabin is insulated with external spray foam, and rock wool panel insulation is used internally.

Learn more about insulation options here.

The holiday home includes a large living area, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen/diner.

Solar panels have been fitted to the roof to power the home and heat the water.

$40,000 Shipping Container Home

Benjamin Garcia Saxe worked closely with his clients to create this beautiful shipping container home in Costa Rica for only $40,000.

The 1,000 square foot home is composed of two 40ft (12m) used shipping containers set together with a raised mid section and clerestory windows.

“They (the clients) made a very bold choice of exploring with me the possibility of creating a very inexpensive house made out of disregarded shipping containers that allowed them to be debt free and live the life they always dreamed of,” says Saxe.

“The final cost of the house is lower than the cost of social housing provided for the poor in Costa Rica. Perhaps this project begins to expose the importance of design as a tool to provide beauty and comfort with a very low budget in the 21st century, whilst using creativity to not only redefine a scrap material such as a disused shipping container, but perhaps to even show that there are viable, low cost, passive alternatives of temperature control to adapt to a very intense tropical climate”.

$60,000 Shipping Container Home

This 360 square foot home in Ireland was coordinated by Carol Tallon from Ceardean Architects as a low cost model of housing, which she says “was inevitable after the property market crash of 2008”. Carol goes on to say that container homes “are new housing solutions available to accommodate different lifestyle choices.”

The home is fitted with solar panels and micro heat recovery units which generate hot water and electricity for the home.

$318,000 Shipping Container Home

French architect Patrick Partouche completed the Maison container project in 2010, a two storey 2,240 square foot house made of eight shipping containers in the outskirts of Lille, France.

The house was installed within 3 days on-site, with pre-fabricated containers being transported by truck and placed on reinforced concrete foundations with a crane.

$1M+ Shipping Container Home

The Beach Box is known as the first shipping container home in the Hamptons, and was up for sale in 2012 for $1,395,000.

The home was constructed with six shipping containers. Four containers on the ground level contain all four bedrooms, while the upper storey uses two containers for an open kitchen, living and dining room. There are also two-and-a-half bathrooms and an exterior deck space with an outdoor shower and swimming pool.

Want more information on selecting and modifying new or used shipping containers for your building project? Call GeoBox Pty Ltd, the shipping container professionals on 07 3888 3011. We can source the perfect container for your project and complete modifications on site at our Narangba depot. 

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To build, or not to build…With shipping containers that is. It’s the great debate that leaves architects, builders and home owners divided.

We’ve heard the hype about cargotecture and seen shipping container homes pop up all over the world, but is the shipping container really the earth-saving, cost-saving, time-saving, be-all and end-all building material we’ve been led to believe it is?

The key to building successfully with shipping containers is knowing what you’re getting into and understanding both a shipping container’s benefits and limitations. Shipping containers were, after all, built for transport at sea, not for living in.

Let’s take a look at some of the common beliefs and myths about building with shipping containers and have some experts weigh in.

Eco-Friendliness and Sustainability

Myth: Building with shipping containers is the “green” choice because most containers sit in ports, unused and virtually abandoned, accumulating in the hundreds of thousands around the world. Recycling them and converting them into houses is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than building with traditional materials such as wood.

Truth: While many people do choose to build with used shipping containers, a lot of new containers are being used instead. New containers aren’t dented or damaged so are considered safer. Some container home builders say they only uses brand new containers for one important reason- safety.

Debunking the green myth further, Archdaily writes that building a multi-container home can produce a large amount of hazardous waste before it can be used as a residence. Before these homes can be habitable, the entire container should be sandblasted bare and the flooring should be replaced to remove any harmful chemicals that might cause health complications. The openings also need to be cut with a torch or fireman’s saw. There are carbon emissions associated with transport and assembly. Fossil fuels required to move the container into place with heavy machinery contribute significantly to its ecological footprint.

If blanket or panel insulation is going to be used, stud walls will need to be installed which inevitably uses wood (not so eco-friendly). Traditional blanket insulation is also not considered green, but more natural materials such as wool are available.

Last but not least the coatings used to make the containers durable for ocean transport contain a number of harmful chemicals. Wooden floors are also infused with hazardous chemical pesticides to keep pests away.

Our take: If you’re building with a shipping container to be green, speak with a reputable shipping container supplier about sourcing a structurally sound used container rather than buying a new one. Used containers are available in varying conditions, and many have only been used once. Research insulation methods extensively keeping your climate in mind, and use natural materials where possible.

Suitable Building Material

Myth: Shipping containers are prefabricated, ready-to-go with supports and walls, so most of the work is already done. You just need to cut some doors and windows, move them into place, and away you go.

Truth: Depending on what you’re building and how many containers you’ll use, a lot of modification work can be required to turn shipping containers into a habitable dwelling. When walls are removed in multi-container buildings, extensive steel reinforcement is required and this can be very expensive.

According to Mark Hogan, principal architect of New York firm Openscope Studios, shipping containers are unsuitable for large-scale housing projects, not least because of the difficulty in fitting them with heating and cooling systems.

Without a thoughtful and comprehensive temperature control strategy, your shipping container home could be absolutely freezing or a smoking hot box. The right insulation can make a world of difference, but consideration should be given to whether heating or cooling units will be required. These are neither cheap nor environmentally friendly to run.

Another downside is that dimensionally, an individual container can create an awkward living/working space. Taking into account added insulation, you have a long narrow box with less than eight foot ceiling. To make an adequate sized space, multiple boxes need to be combined. As mentioned above, this requires modification and reinforcements.

Elaine Petitgout from Boxman Studios in North Carolina says the advantage of building with shipping containers is the way a container’s shape allows for creativity and flexibility in design. It’s important to remember, however, that while they provide a framework, a lot of work is still needed – think foundation, lighting, plumbing, insulation, new flooring, windows, doors etc.

Petitgout says shipping containers are ideal for industrial office spaces, hospitality suites, trade show booths, and pop-up retail stores, but not so much for residential dwellings.

Building with shipping containers can be like reinventing the wheel, working around a pre-existing structure rather than working with traditional building methods that have been tried, tested and improved over thousands of years. The key is solid planning and research to ensure the build rolls out smoothly.

Our take: Shipping containers provide an excellent starting point for a home, retail outlet or workspace, but they should be considered just that – a starting point. Much more can be involved in the building process than you first imagined.

Ease and Speed of Construction

Common Belief: Building with shipping containers is much faster than traditional construction and is so easy almost anyone can do it.

Truth: The common perception here is close to the mark. The benefit of small shipping container homes is that they can be built extremely quickly and precisely in a factory, then delivered to your land.

A small home can take just three weeks to fabricate in a factory. A lot of modifications can be completed off-site making on-site assembly a quick process, sometimes done within a day.

It is also true that building with shipping containers is more achievable by an avid DIY-er than traditional building. Many people do hire design firms however, or employ contractors who have previous experience building with containers.

One very important thing to keep in mind is building permits. Since using shipping containers to build a home is a relatively new idea, it might be hard to obtain the necessary building permits in your area. This process will likely take longer than the actual build, so start early.

Our take: Depending on your experience, it is possible to build a container home primarily on your own, and quickly. Even for the inexperienced, contractors can be hired to assist in completing your build in a speedy manner. Just make sure you get started on obtaining the right permits and approvals early to avoid delays.

Cost Effectiveness

Common Belief: Building with shipping containers is much cheaper than traditional building methods.

Truth: Building with shipping containers can save money, but it depends what you’re building and where. One man built this self-sustaining off-grid “Taj Malodge” for around $35,000, and this home was built for under $27,000, but just one look at these homes exposes that compromises have been made. They certainly don’t look or function like a standard family home.

So how much would it cost to build something comparable to what you or I are probably used to? That is, a home that’s hooked up to council utilities with 3+ bedrooms and enough room to swing a cat.

Brad Lyons of Container Homes Designer Domain says that “we can sit these $180,000 container homes beside a multi-million dollar home and you wouldn’t know the difference”. This implies that there are still savings to be made on the moderate to luxury-end of housing, but you’ve got to be willing to fork out more than $30,000.

Our take: Building with shipping containers can certainly save money, but be realistic about what you intend to save and what you’re willing to compromise for those savings.

Conclusion

Building with shipping containers is still a relatively new approach to architecture and construction, but the trend is going strong. Cargotecture has created new opportunities for innovation, and certainly challenges the status quo, which might ruffle the feathers of some architects and builders who are well established in the (traditional) building industry.

The forward-thinkers are celebrating, however. So are the home-owners who have used containers to build a house without ending up with hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt. The shop-owners of pop-up stores and cafes have joined the party, as have some mobile services and low-income housing developers.

Shipping containers definitely have a place in the world of architecture and construction, but their inherent flaws and limitations can’t be ignored. In time, and with more experience, building challenges will be overcome more efficiently and we’ll see the cargotecture trend expand even further.

Ready to get your project started?

At GeoBox Pty Ltd we will match the right shipping container, new or used, to your building project. We can also complete modifications onsite at our Narangba depot. Speak to us today for the best advice and service in the industry. Call 07 3888 3011.

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Insulating your shipping container is essential if you plan to spend any time in it. Australia’s climate can be harsh, with scorching summer temperatures and chilly winters, and although we’ve seen container repurposing skyrocket, shipping containers weren’t designed to be a habitat for humans. They are made of steel and are susceptible to condensation, so proper insulation is important not only for your comfort, but also to keep your container in good condition by avoiding mould and corrosion.

Insulation Methods

Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is an ideal method of keeping your container warm in cooler months/climates and dry in damper months/climates as it combats condensation and creates a seamless vapour barrier. It’s also the quickest method of insulation and is very flexible, allowing you to spray into gaps of any size.

Spray foam insulation can be applied on both external and internal walls of your shipping container, and you can also spray it underneath your container to stop any moisture from the ground creeping in. Once the foam has set it can be painted over to give your container the look you’re after.

The downside of using spray foam insulation is that it’s more expensive and a lot messier to work with compared to other insulation methods.

As well as spray foam insulation, there are a number of different types of insulation which can be safely and effectively used for your container, including:

– Insulation panels

– Blanket insulation

– Eco-friendly options of wool or cotton

You can even choose to use a combination of different insulation types to address specific needs. For example, spray foam to prevent condensation and panels to control interior temperatures.

Insulation Panels and Blanket Insulation

These types of insulation methods are DIY friendly, but require stud walls to fit.

Insulation panels can be bought at predefined sizes and then fitted in the gaps of your stud wall. The panels have a high insulating value for their relatively small depth, so if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on foam insulation, panel insulation may be an affordable solution that still keeps insulation thickness to a minimum.

Blanket insulation, while taking a little longer to install than panels, is the cheapest of the insulation methods mentioned here. The most common blanket insulation is mineral, and is also known as rock wool. Some types of blanket insulation are made from fibreglass which makes installation a little more difficult as care is needed when handling. Personal protective equipment should be worn for safe installation.

Natural Materials

If you’re looking to insulate with natural materials and avoid those such as fibreglass, then one of these insulating methods could be the right fit for you:

Wool Insulation
This method uses sheep’s wool and is similar to blanket insulation.

Cotton Insulation
This method is similar to blanket insulation but uses recycled cotton instead of fibreglass.

Living Roof
During the warmer months a living roof can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 8 percent, however it isn’t a replacement for proper insulation.

Mud Walls
Mud can be used on a container’s roof and walls using battens, however it should only be used in climates where rainfall is scarce. A dry and hot climate is ideal.

So Which is Best?

One method of insulating a container isn’t necessarily better than another. It all comes down to your climate, skill level and budget.

A variety of insulation methods can be used together to meet your needs and to withstand your climate. One type of insulation can be used on the walls and roof, and another underneath the container. You can even combine insulation in the same section, for instance by installing rock wool and then covering it with spray foam to create an airtight seal.

Ready to get your project underway but need to source a shipping container? Speak to GeoBox Pty Ltd, the shipping container professionals, on 07 3888 3011.

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Creating your own retreat where you can get away, relax, socialise with friends or focus on your hobbies doesn’t have to be a day dream any longer! It doesn’t mean adding an extension to the house, either. If you have a bit of space in the yard, then all you need is a shipping container (or two) and some imagination.

If you’d rather keep the house for yourself and get the kids outside, or create a space for Gran that’s out of the hustle and bustle of daily domestic mayhem bliss, then we also have some inspiration for you!

The Man Cave

Traditionally a garage, a shed, a bar or media room, the man cave is “his space” where he can watch sports, unwind with the boys, play pool, listen to music, work on the car or bike, or just have some down time.

According to psychology professor Sam Gosling, it’s very important that men have a space of their own, to decorate however they like, where they can express themselves. “Personal space is very important”, he says.

Men don’t often take control of the decorating in the family home, so it’s a good thing for them to have a space they can call their own.

With many men balancing work, family and leisure, a modern man cave can also serve as an office so you can “work hard and play hard” in one space.

The She Shed

The popularity of the She Shed has skyrocketed with women wanting their own equivalent of the Man Cave. The She Shed is generally a quiet retreat for reading, crafting, drinking tea and simply slowing down and relaxing.

The She Shed is the perfect room for getting creative when space in the house is limited or you just can’t get the quiet time you need.

Working from home is becoming increasingly popular, especially for mums looking for work/family balance. The She Shed makes an ideal office.

Kids Playroom

Think of shipping containers as pre-made cubby houses your kids will love to play in for hours. They can keep all their toys in a dedicated space, and have a shady spot in the yard to play, relax and let their imaginations run wild.

Shipping containers can be placed in different configurations and modified to suit your needs. From windows to sliding doors, containers are easily customised and make for safe play spaces.

Granny Flat

When Nan and Pop come to visit wouldn’t it be great if they had their own space away from the family bedlam? No need to upsize, renovate or extend – a shipping container makes the perfect granny flat!

Nan doesn’t need to be tripping over toys. She’d much rather have a quiet cuppa here.

If you’d love more space for the family and are considering using shipping containers to create the perfect getaway, talk to us today. We’re able to complete shipping container modifications on-site at our Narangba depot in Queensland at affordable prices. Call GeoBox Pty Ltd, the shipping container professionals on 07 3888 3011.

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Open Top Shipping Containers

Open top shipping containers are capable of being loaded from above with a crane, and can also carry oversized cargo. They can be supplied with either a removable hard top roof or tarpaulin, and are available in both 6m (20ft) and 12m (40ft) sizes.

Open Top Container Applications:

– Transport and store industrial length steel and plastics.
– Transport and store heavy plant and machinery.
– Transport and store large tyres.
– Use as waste or scrap metal bins.

Click here for open top container dimensions.

Flat Rack Shipping Containers

Flat rack shipping containers are used when cargo needs to be containerised and won’t fit into a standard shipping container. They consist of a flat bed with either fixed or collapsible ends, or no ends at all. Flat rack containers make large, awkward or oddly shaped cargo efficient to transport. They can also be stacked despite not having fixed side walls or load-carrying structures as they still have standardised weight bearing corner fittings both at the top and bottom of the container.

Flat rack shipping containers can be used to transport:

– Trucks and vehicles
– Aircraft engines
– Oversized cables, drums, metal sheets, etc.
– Heavy machinery
– Boats

GeoBox Pty Ltd has flat rack shipping containers in both 6m (20ft) and 12m (40ft) sizes.  Click here for flat rack container dimensions.

Bulker Shipping Containers

Bulker containers are used for transport and storage of free running material such as grain, sugar and salt.

These types of containers have opening roof hatches for easy overhead loading, a lockable full width wall hatch which is located at the bottom of the back wall of the container, and lockable door hatches located at the bottom of each door.

High cube bulker containers also provide an extra foot in height and extra width so you can fit 2 standard chep pallets side by side.

Half Height Shipping Containers

Half height shipping containers are the most convenient way of transporting heavy industrial loads like ores, mining consumables and concentrates. They can also be used for vehicle transportation or as a cargo platform for local transport of sand, gravel etc.

The recent trend in converting shipping containers into swimming pools has also seen half height containers become popular.

Half height containers are available with a tarpaulin or hard top roof.

Speak to GeoBox Pty Ltd, the shipping container professionals, about how we can match a specialised container to your needs.
Call 07 3888 3011 today.

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Standard shipping containers are extremely versatile and useful for meeting storage needs, but loading items through the double doors on the front of the container is not always practical. This is why the standard container was modified to include doors that open from the side of the shipping container, or curtains that draw back to provide easy access for forklifts. 

The containers pictured above are 6m (20′) high cube containers in used condition.

Side opening shipping containers can be used to move freight domestically, or simply used on site as a storage facility. They can also be modified even further to create site offices, media centres, art galleries, festival stands, coffee shops, pop-up retail shops and food carts, just to name a few. They can also be modified to comply with the storage of dangerous goods and chemicals – AS1940-2004. 

A key point to remember when positioning a side access container is that more space is required for the doors to open on the side. If you’re tight on space and security is not a priority, a curtain side shipping container may be a better option.

Side opening shipping containers are available in two heights – standard and high cube – and with or without end doors. Generally only 6m (20′) side opening shipping containers are available in both new and used condition. GeoBox Pty Ltd Shipping Containers has stock of both new and used 20′ side opening containers at our container storage depot in Narangba. 

Call us today to discuss your freight and storage needs – 07 3888 3011.

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Dangerous Goods shipping containers share the same benefits as standard containers, however they utilise an extra level of technology and expertise to ensure the safe storage of potentially hazardous goods. These specially designed containers protect the materials being stored, but they also protect workers and the public alike, making them essential for companies needing to store dangerous and hazardous goods. Manage the risk of severe penalties for not safely storing dangerous goods, liquids and chemicals.

The Australian Hazardous Goods Regulations require that dangerous goods supplied in Australia should be classified, labeled, packaged, stored and transported according to particular Australian standards. GeoBox Pty Ltd offers peace of mind when purchasing Dangerous Goods containers as our containers are of the highest quality, and our experience within the industry has lead to an in-depth knowledge of, and adherence to, the regulations required in the handling, transport and storage of dangerous and hazardous goods.

GeoBox Pty Ltd Dangerous Goods containers have been built and designed with the community’s and your safety in mind and are in compliance with Australian Standards (AS1940-2004).

Under these standards, our containers are perfect for the storage of:
– Paint and thinners
– Oils and diesel
– Chemicals
– Liquids
– Class 3 flammables

Our Dangerous Goods containers are available in 3m (10ft), 6m (20ft) and 12m (40ft) sizes and are equipped with an internal door release, ventilation, bunded floor and a lockable stainless steel valve in the bund wall, ensuring safety is the number one priority.

Dangerous Goods Container Features:

• Australian made.

• Fully painted premium grade container.

• Fully welded steel flooring.

• An RHS floor frame.

• Front steel bund wall.

• All appropriate plates & signage.

• Non-spark industrial mesh floor covering (except in Class 2 Dangerous Goods Units).

• Internal door safety handle.

• Lockable valve tap.

• Weatherproof vents.

• Double opening doors.

• Storage capacity of approx 4,300 litres – (6m unit with 300mm bund).

• Storage capacity of approx 8,400 litres – (12m unit with 300mm bund).

• Bunded Floor with drainage attach points

• Aluminium Checker-plate floor

• Grilled Ventilation

• Tyne pockets for quick on site load and unload with a Forklift

• Safety Yellow for easy Identification

• Corten Steel Carcass, built to withstand extreme force

• Double Locking System to prevent Theft/Tampering

• Internal emergency door release

• Clear Safety Labelling

At GeoBox Pty Ltd, we pride ourselves on being the Shipping Container Professionals, which is why you should speak to us first about purchasing a Dangerous Goods shipping container. The quality of our containers and our in-depth industry knowledge means your company will have the safety advantage when working with us.

Call us today on 07 3888 3011.

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