The H lodging

University lifestyle is an essential stage for the development of people, because it is when you learn to be completely self-sufficient, a clear example is leaving the home as a child to live alone, while studying at the university. Our team understands this situation, therefore, creating a comfortable space is our priority, without neglecting the company and fun that living in a university housing module can bring under the concept of housing for students.

It is intended to achieve an atmosphere of coexistence between university students without neglecting the privacy of each of them, so there is a variety of individual accommodations, which have access to common areas, such as the garden, in addition to the lobby in which there is a recreation area through games, where coexistence can take place.

Obtaining an environment where the attitude of a student can be transformed and stimulated and integrated.

It is intended to achieve an atmosphere of coexistence between university students without neglecting the privacy of each of them, so there is a variety of individual accommodations, which have access to common areas, such as the garden, in addition to the lobby in which there is a recreation area through games, where coexistence can take place.

The intention of organizing the elements through the different levels was achieved by using 40 'x 8' x 6 'size containers to provide the user with greater comfort, as they have more space. It is intended that within a home with people sharing the same place, you can have private spaces with a feeling of intimacy, in turn you want to give the feeling of more space and a touch with the outside world without going out with the balconies that will integrate into each container.

Although at the beginning, we decided to build a student housing with 4 complete levels, the final result is only three levels and a terrace. This was an important decision because we had to choose between comfort and operability. 

The creation of the building’s shape was based on an experimental method. The method consisted of making sketches for the distribution of the best spaces where natural light was used to the maximum and that these had the best ventilation.

The architectural program contemplated was designed to cover the basic needs of the student (bedrooms, kitchen, study area, laundry area and social area), moreover, it was intended to provide comfort through social áreas too.

The set evokes a letter H, the design was intended to manifest the concept of union without neglecting the privacy of each one, this shape allows an atmosphere to exist on the inside and another on the outside, being more intimate in its internal part and allowing the students who stay there, to obtain peace of mind, as well as a connection with the environment through green areas, which will allow them to have a better academic performance.

The main material used was the maritime containers, which are made of steel. Thus, we chose this material for this project. Because of the possible variations of weather between regions, the floor is made of wood to make sure it lasts long, in addition, it is considered an isolating material. Tiles were also included in the  bathroom and kitchen to improve and ease the cleaning tasks.

Consequently, seeking that the spaces are cozy, spacious and with good lighting we have designed them as comfortable as possible. Hence there is no need or want to be somewhere else because you feel “trapped in a box”.

Habitable containers are distributed for young people and floor plants of common spaces are created to encourage fraternity and generational exchange of knowledge.

The project can be replicated on land with similar characteristics, which do not require many specifications since the space required is minimum.

A heavily used shipping container has an estimated useful life of 10 years, but can last up to 15 years before requiring maintenance, it is expected that this would be an affordable student housing for many years.

To sum up, this project is intended to be the best option for students to live into and to exchange experiences, making sure every one of them is comfortable, and therefore, happy and living a full life into the H lodging.