The endless need, and ideas for ISBU container technology

ISBU technology is a profitable necessity in every country

It’s obvious that big disasters get the biggest news. But even on a calm week, every country in the world has a shortage of emergency rooms, medical facilities, and hospitals.

Shipping containers and ISBU technology is a global solution to almost everything; and a profitable technology no matter what economic conditions.

We thank the Germ Free company in Florida for the pictures and inspirations. In every country of the world, there is an endless need for this technology and also a need for more companies to manufacture them.

If you are a building contractor, architect, engineer, or simply a business entrepreneur looking for a stable future, then this is certainly it.  The ISBU Association offers a simple $18 Research Membership so you can easily and immediately obtain information and architectural tools to evaluate the potential in your area.

The uses for ISBU are only limited to your imagination. The global need is endless.

Professional shipping container templates for Google SketchUp

Pro version 20GP, 20HC, 40GP, and 40HC 3D drawings for SketchUp.

Is it professional 3D CAD, or simply a 3D High Definition template for Google SketchUp?  It’s actually a combination of both and they are a very big hit for engineering professionals and novice designers alike.

These are the new G-Series Pro templates from the ISBU Association and are finally available to the consumer. The high definition templates are actually drawn in 3D CAD, then converted to Google SketchUp and can be used by anyone. No drafting experience needed. Yes, …”anyone can use them”!

Unlike the previous G-Series version which was actually drawn in Google SketchUp, these new shipping container drawings were drawn in 3D CAD, then the 3DS template was converted to SketchUp thus giving the templates the accurate detail and definition which is often missing from most SketchUp templates.

The new professional Google SketchUp templates are available for 20GP, 20HC, 40GP and 40HC shipping containers.

This new version of the G-Series Pro templates are now available for free to all ISBU Association Members. If you are an ISBA Member you may login now and download.  [ Member Login }

If you are not yet an ISBU Association Member you can obtain the new version of our Research Membership for only $18  [ Join here ]  The new G-Series Pro templates are compatible with Google SketchUp and SketchUp Pro.

The Caribbean region and a zoom view of Puerto Rico and nearby Haiti

Versatile exterior designs to fit every neighborhood

Here is a container construction company in Puerto Rico that has found the secret to success in any country. Their modular construction with multiple exterior designs fit every country, culture and neighborhood.

Many people don’t fully realize that Puerto Rico is a very stable U.S. Territory with all the benefits of a U.S. State including U.S. Passports and extreme political stability. That is why so many international bio-tech and pharmaceutical companies manufacture their products there, …stability and a comfortable business environment.

Intek Modular is one of those companies that see all the benefits of living and doing business in Puerto Rico. In 2009 Intek Modular joined the ISBU Association and shifted their construction focus and designs to “Green” modular homes made with the ISBU container superstructure.

Although many companies are building with ISBU, Intek Modular put an additional focus on the exterior with facade designs that are fully compatible with the local communities. Whether their customers prefer stucco or Victorian wood trim, they can still build a Green, economical home with superior strength to stand up to the hurricane seasons in the Caribbean.

Juan Carlos Rodriguez, the President of Intek Modular Construction Corporation, said his Puerto Rico based company began their “modular container” designs in 2009 to save energy and promote Eco-Green living. Now with the re-building needs in Haiti his designs and company are well established to become an integral part of Haiti’s need for stable re-construction.

Using Puerto Rican construction companies and consultants such as Intek Modular is most logical since Puerto Rico is the nearest, and most stable industrial neighbor to Haiti.

Juan Carlos has offered all his staff and resources to the American Red Cross and government re-construction programs. Needless to say, there is much safety, speed and economics using modular ISBU container designs and superstructures.

Choosing a strong, sustainable transition...

Since January 12 our office has been flooded with calls and emails wondering if we will get involved with the relief work, aid, donations and re-building of the new Haiti with shipping container housing.

Every time such disasters happen, the first thoughts of many intelligent thinkers is “container structures”; their safety, cost, and availability.

So much has already been said in the media regarding the Haiti disaster; so much has already been organized.

As a trade organization, the ISBU Association made a few key decisions regarding Haiti, and all other terrific disasters. We feel that prior to this, and any other disasters, there are already organizations, and relief systems in place ready to assist, guide and rebuild.

The Relief Structure Already In Place

We do not want to add to the exploitation of the Haiti disaster, but to remain a tool to educate and support professionals and organizations who value the ISBU technology.

Our job, before this disaster, was to do our best to promote, educate and provide educational materials regarding the use of ISBU container technology in many areas, including housing, hospitals, prisons, emergency shelters and technical equipment housings.

We do not believe our job is to attempt to duplicate relief organizations, medical groups or fund raising that is already in place and functioning in preparation for disasters.

We will continue to research, educate and promote the ISBU container technology and all it’s uses. That, and the related GreenCube technologies will remain our only focus.

We believe container based structures should have been, and should now be used in the 2 billion dollar rebuilding master plan. We belief our qualified members and other experienced corporate entities should be an important part of being certain this ISBU technology is integrated and available in the new Haiti master plan.

We recommend the expertise and experience of Professor Richard Martin who founded Global Peace Containers, John Stangel of Container-It, Professors Doug Hecker, Martha Skinner and Pernille Christensen from Clemson University and were part of our Project GreenCube in 2009,  Sea Star Line serving the Caribbean, TempoHousing, Flex-Box, Textainer and the many other international container resources. These are absolutely not paid endorsements by anyone, but suggestions based on our three years of experience globally and in the Caribbean area.

This is not a time to be soliciting “free” containers from these, or any other shipping container companies. This is a time to use their expertise, inventory and manufacturing facilities to obtain the best housing and construction solutions at a fair price. This, as with all other re-development should be paid through government funds and donations.

Support the people of Haiti. Support the promotion and use of ISBU technologies.

Luxury geothermal, geo-air home and atrium. Sub-zero but looks tropical

85'x16' greenhouse with free geo-air heat in sub-zero weather

If you are a building contractor, HVAC contractor, architect, engineer, LEED professional, or simply a DIY consumer, this story is for you. Here is the new Green Energy technology that is here, now, and available “free” to virtually every home owner in every country and climate of the world.

In sub-zero winters, this “geo-air” technology is so cheap and efficient a grower can produce lush, “green energy” citrus groves indoors, using only “free” geo-air technology for heat.  If you live in hot zones of even 115F, it can cool your home without an air conditioner. 

The biggest “Green Energy” trend of the decade

If you think this has nothing to do with recycled shipping containers you’re wrong.  If you’re looking for the biggest “Green Energy trend of the decade, this is it!

Our new Green Cube Publishing department has chosen “Citrus In The Snow” to be our first publication using our new Digital Work Book (DWB) format.  This is a very detailed report by Russ Finch of his incredibly cheap and efficient geo-air technology.

In 2008, one of our ISBU Association members learned of our interest in geo-air and told us of some quiet guy in Nebraska that had been using this technology successfully since 1979.

We’ve been working with Russ and evaluating his phenomenal geo-air research for more than a year. We learned of Russ when beginning our own geo-air research in conjunction with the Energy Cube concept. When we saw what Russ already had and how efficient it really was, we were absolutely blown away.

We have believed in the theory of “geo-air technology” for many years but never found anyone that had done conclusive research on it- -only concept drawings and talk. This is the real thing, and Russ has been using it quietly all these years.

This is certainly not just some guy living is some ’60’s earth home. It’s a luxury 4,400 sq/ft three level home and atrium. He has successfully build three (3) different geo-air systems for home, commercial, and greenhouses. They are incredibly simple to construct.

In sub-zero winters, this “geo-air” technology is so cheap and efficient, grower can produce lush, “green energy” citrus groves indoors, using only “free” geo-air technology for heat.

If you think this has nothing to do with recycled shipping containers you’re wrong.

Our new Green Cube Publishing department has chosen Russ Finch’s 30 year research  to be our first publication using our new Digital Work Book (DWB) format. This new, very detailed Green Energy report is called  “Citrus In The Snow” .

Phenomenal geo-air concept

We’ve been working with Russ and evaluating his phenomenal geo-air research for more than a year. We learned of Russ when beginning our own geo-air research in conjunction with the Energy Cube concept. When we saw what Russ already had and how efficient it really was, we were absolutely blown away.

We have believed in the theory of “geo-air technology” for many years but never found anyone that had done conclusive research on it- -only concept drawings and talk.

In 2008, one of our ISBU Association members learned of our interest in geo-air and told us of some quiet guy in Nebraska that had been using this technology successfully since 1979.

This is certainly not just some guy living is some ’60’s earth home. It’s a luxury 4,400 sq/ft three level home and atrium. He has successfully build three (3) different geo-air systems for home, commercial, and greenhouses. They are incredibly simple to construct.

Russ Finch is that wonderful guy who has said very little about what he’s been doing all these years. He and his family were simply perfecting it and enjoying it all these years. Geo-air energy is Green, free, efficient, very cheap to install and is virtually maintenance free. Most important, anyone can build it and install it now.

Free Demo version of his report

If you are looking for the new “big money” trend for 2010 and the next decade, you need to read Russ’s new report published by our Green Cube Publishing division. You absolutely will not be disappointed.

If you are an ISBU Association Member you will receive your 50% Member discount. Login to the ISBA Member Section to get your “coupon code” there.

Click here to download a free DEMO edition of his e-Report. We will also publish the Energy Cube companion book in about 10 days. This new “Green Energy” technology is simply amazing, that’s why we got involved.

If you are not yet an ISBA Member, you may join for as little as $18 for a limited time. [ Join here ]

11,000 sq/ft business complex near completion.

Tiny Rhode Island may now have the largest shipping container based structure in North America. So what happened to the other much hyped projects?

Jay Cox-Chapman from Stack Design Build contacted us this morning and informed us they had just uploaded a video of their construction progress on the Box Office complex in Providence Rhode Island. I got thinking, and wow, it’s already December, so where are all the other container projects that should have been finished by now?

Detroit, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Vancouver, New York, California, …but all those that were hyped, big and looking good are now stalled. Even with all the big names involved such as Adam Kalkin and SG Blocks, the big projects that should have, simply didn’t!

The reality? The ISBU trend for both 2008 and 2009 is that only the smaller projects, from 1 to 10 containers, are getting completed. Some will say, “but of course, larger projects take more time”. Well, Peter Gill Case at The Box Office and his partners at Stack Design Build, Truth Box Development, and Distill Studio, are leaving the larger developers in the dust. Bad economy or not; large project or not; they got approved and running right on schedule.  And our guess? …it will lease up and sell out faster than a conventional office complex will!

Here is the point the ISBU Association has been trying to make for the past two years: “Experience, hype and corporate size are not the keys to success with this ISBU technology and container construction”.  Building a project with containers is not much different than conventional construction and most anyone can have success with this new construction technology.

The new guy and the small guy are those who are having the success in this new “Green Cube” trend, not the big and hyped architects and construction companies that have the connections for media coverage.

This is a new and simple construction technology and the names of the leaders is this industry are changing in front of your eyes. The ISBU Association has the “Educational Tools” if you have the imagination.

Check out the “Box Office” construction videos [ Video link ] posted on YouTube yesterday, then start your own ISBU technology project and beat the recession. You can be a leader in this new ISBU technology trend too.

Recycled shipping containers become instant jails.

Secure jail and prison modules with beds and bath.

Overcrowded jails and prisons are a growing issue in the US and also globally. This demand can now be filled instantly with modular jail and prison cells made from recycled ISBU shipping containers.

One of the companies leading this technology is DRC Logistics in Mobile, Alabama. We were first made aware of this company when their DRC Group corporate office contacted the ISBU Association in April of 2009 for data regarding ISBU specifications, diagrams and governmental approval information.

By June of this year the DRC Group had created a new division named “Jails On Demand” which produces modular jail cells and prison facilities constructed from secure recycled shipping containers. Their modular ISBU jail cells and prison facilities are manufactured in full compliance with the American Correctional Association (ACA) standards and are ready for immediate delivery and installation.

The DRC Group has a very credible 30 year history and experience with much expertise in various construction and manufacturing technologies to assist them as they market the “instant jail” concept. Correctional facilities using ISBU container technology is not new, however DRC has the experience and financial resources to become a global leader of this trend.

Four bed, four bath mobile hotel rooms from recycled 40' ISBU container.

Comfortable mobile hotel rooms contain beds, baths, and refrigerators.

Eco friendly mobile hotel rooms from recycled shipping containers are a perfect solution for concerts, special events, expos, sports or an overloaded college campus.

When TempoHousing joined the ISBU Association back in September of 2008 they were best known globally for their famous 1000 Student Housing project in Amsterdam.  They have designed, built, and are involved in various projects globally but none are more significant than this adorable Mobile Hotel concept.

They designed and constructed the Mobile Hotel for the Danish Smuckfest Organization in  Skanderborg, Denmark. The mobile housing units will be marketed under the direction of Dejligheder company who will sell corporate advertising on the exterior of the Mobile Hotel units, transport, set up and also manage the nightly reservations and rentals.

The new mobile containerized housing is an excellent solution for the festival organization.  Since 2002 the organization has hosted the Danish Smuk festival but housing accommodations have always been an issue. Tenting areas and other facilities were never sufficient or appropriate. 

The TempoHousing Mobile Hotel modules were constructed from 40′ shipping containers with all the comfort and sanitation of a luxury hotel room. They can be erected, stacked and house hundreds of people in a very small area, then moved, stored and placed at another event when needed.

This concept and project by Tempo and the Smukfest organization is important because it is a prime example how ISBU containers are being used creatively to keep businesses alive and also earn huge profits.

Even with the winter holidays and difficult global economy there is still “very much” money to be made with ISBU construction in the form of BizPods, mobile storage, modular hospitals, and Mobile Hotels.  These may, in fact, become a global solution and a global trend.

As we so often say, “the uses for ISBU containers are only limited by your imagination.  We very much appreciate the example and support from all at TempoHousing.

Fulton-Salomon Architects with "Small Is Smart" container home.

29 container, 6000 sq. ft. Bed & Breakfast for Orlando, Fl.

Architects Geoffrey Fulton and Carla Salomon have been designing ISBU container based housing for a few years now but their “Small Is Smart” container home concept is making waves all the way to the US, Canada, UK and Europe.

The ISBU Association has been growing quite rapidly in both Australia and New Zealand. That’s no surprise since container housing and designs have been common place there for many years.

Fulton-Salomon Architects are one of our Corporate Members in Australia who are actually producing and getting some very positive attention with their unique container home architecture. [ Website Link ]

Their Serenity Bed & Breakfast in Orlando, FL promises to be the largest container construction project in Florida. Their “Small Is Smart” container home concepts are also ready for production and include such Eco-Green features as living walls.

They had an amazing premier at the DesignEx 2009 this Spring and one of their container based homes has been select to be features on the “Grand Designs” TV show with Kevin Mc Cloud.

The Fulton-Salomon team are among those very few who are actually past the concept stages and are really producing container based construction and housing.

Kimley-Horn leads with Eco-Green concepts.

Many global engineering companies have prepared for the Green technology trends. Kimley-Horn is not just one of the engineering firms following the Eco-Green trends, they are one of the most recognized engineering  leaders setting the trends. 

Kimley-Horn joined the ISBU Association in April of 2009 as Corporate Members and since then they have again been recognized for the 5th. consecutive year as one of  “The Top 100 Green Design Firms” by the Engineering Weekly-News magazine as well as recognitions from other private and governmental organizations.

They are without a doubt a leader and excellent example of engineering professionals that see the need for Green-Sustainable concepts in all types of building construction.  In 2007 Kimley-Horn produced nearly 80 million US dollars in “Green Revenue” and continue to lead again by learning about, and integrating ISBU container technology into their engineering portfolio.

Kimley-Horn is certainly one of the largest LEED certified ISBU Association corporate members with more than 60 offices in their national engineering network. Proper ISBU construction is very dependent on good engineering and the Kimley-Horn engineering network are one of the leading engineering firms who set the example with the tools and knowledge to design and produce ISBU technology projects according to IBC and LEED standards.

The ISBU Association has a growing number of local engineers who understand the need to learn and promote the use of ISBU technology and construction. We are thankful also for the larger engineering networks such as Kimley-Horn who share those important values and also lead the way.

Related links: LEED certification; Kimley-Horn; CAD Architectural and Engineering drawings