Comments on: LivaBlox: Converting Big Box Stores to Container Homes

By: dennymack

dennymack — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:01:32 +0000

A trailer park, but without the privacy.

By: Oakspar

Oakspar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:44:51 +0000

Strict no-go here. People don’t want to live that close together, at least not without thick, soundproof walls.

That leads to the next issue – air quality. Apparently, no smokers will be allowed? Beyond that nuissance, what about heating and cooling? While there will be a mass insullating effect, you are going to have to have individual units for each box, loosing the efficiency of the original store’s mass units. Just conditioning the whole area on a shared cost plan wouldn’t take into account individual preference.

I think you would come out cheaper to look at think like indoor malls, as the storefronts in those already lend themselves to home style and home sized living.

By: Annica Difrakhsh

Annica Difrakhsh — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:43:21 +0000

Way to go Evan!!!! Beautiful idea… hope it becomes reality.
Good Luck!

By: harry fischer

harry fischer — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:20:58 +0000

there are quite some grandious and exotic ideas introduced in this contest. for me this is the most wonderful idea, because it is doable in an easy way and that is the most important factor. one may dream about great ideas but one may not loose sight of the easy solutions. in this case used containers are becoming a new purpose as low cost housing. simply wonderful.

By: Evan Collins

Evan Collins — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:59:30 +0000

I would like to thank everyone for the positive comments, this has been an exciting and eye-opening experience for me. Being a 19 year old architecture student at Cal Poly, surrounded by proposals from famous and well-established firms, architects, and new-urbanist pioneers, is humbling. I knew going into this competition, I wouldn’t have intricate graphics, or highly detailed plans and renderings. I only hope that my ideas were as clear and realistic as I’d hoped they’d be, based on the parameters described in this competition.

By: lloydwrightson

lloydwrightson — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:00:00 +0000

I think this is a very imaginative way to utilize a space and create a community, innovative use of resources.

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:15:30 +0000

I like this project, I hope the judges understand this because the voters are way too ignorant to realize the concept of this competition. Wait, it also looks like the judges have gotten it wrong, are ya’ll sure you picked the right 20? Or perhaps you should read your own guidelines again. Way to lead the charge.

By: Allen

Allen — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:42:41 +0000

I also like the idea of using this concept in a vacant “anchor store” of a medium-sized suburban shopping mall. A little tweaking of the retail tenant mix (like adding groceries and perhaps medical/dental clinic space) and you’ve got a nice self-sufficient mixed-use community. Hmm, maybe the anchor store at the other end of the mall could become a magnet school…

Excellent work Mr. Collins, dream on!

By: Terri Gallagher

Terri Gallagher — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:06:22 +0000

What a great idea! As a Realtor, I am encouraged to see the youth of today putting so much thought into ideas that will help our environment. It makes so much sense, and I am sure with solid design and engineering, this is something that would absolutely make a difference!

By: workingclass artist

workingclass artist — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:25:29 +0000

Good idea…kinda reminds me of 5th element.