13 Repurposed Dwellings

Nov 11, 2009 Posted on Nov 11, 2009 | 11 comments

13 Repurposed Dwellings

This article is courtesy of Castelblanco.com, Los Angeles Housing Attorneys.

There is no denying the movement toward living green and the increased popularity of re-purposed goods. Interior decorators everywhere are embracing the art of recycling rubbish to beautify the homestead and add a unique rustic flare – but why limit this to interiors? Below is a group of one-of-a-kind homes that have been re-purposed from the outside-in:

Shipping Containers

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One well-known, largest wastes of space are massive shipping containers. Cluttering the shoreline and shipping yards across the world, these iron giants were intentionally built for stability and stacking. Knowing this, architects have begun building modular homes and Lego-like apartment complexes by way of stacking and arranging these structurally sound remnants.

Train Cars

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One of the most widely-adopted practices in re-purposed housing is the transformation of old rail cars into modern living spaces. Hotels, restaurants and everyday people are taking abandoned trains and turning them into uniquely quaint dwellings. The amount of rail cars manufactured throughout history is astounding; this reuse is a distinctive way to resurrect the dead and avoid excessive waste.

Abandoned Warehouses

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If you’ve ever taken a walk through a major city’s industrial area, you’re sure to have found an abandoned warehouse – a lot of open space gone to waste. City planners and architects have picked up on the trend and are using the pre-existing exterior structures to their advantage, transforming these complexes into modern condominiums or subsidized housing (depending on the area). Typically, these massive structures are partitioned into a number of smaller dwellings to take the form of high-density re-purposed housing.

Fire Towers

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Part of a dying breed, fire towers are slowly being replaced by modern technologies and satellite monitoring. Though they’re approaching obsolete, there is no denying that the towers are built on highly coveted real estate; remote locations with an unbeatable panoramic view. Considering the supreme location and the fact that they were constructed to withstand the elements, it is no wonder that they’re being transformed into vacation homes and year-round residencies for those seeking mountainous solitude.

Water Towers

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Several designers across the world have managed to turn the shells of a water tower into the walls of modern homes. With various embellishments on the same theme, these industrial towers have been converted into residential houses and condominiums that demand a lot of attention but very little materials needed in the retro-fitting. Since the structures already exist, it’s just a matter of interior design.

Yachts on Land

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Cruise ships are a testament to the livability of a sea vessel – that which exists on land, can exist on the open sea. Any marina will show you that most boats larger than your average ski boat are comfortably equipped with sleeping quarters and room to roam. In some instances, people have pulled boats out of the water and constructed a permanent residence in the belly of the floating beast. Though they range in all sizes, this particular boat in Croatia, rivals the size – and presumably the same amenities – of a larger size house.

The Barn

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There was a time when the barn was reserved for farm animals, hay and transients, but those days are coming to a close. In many places in the modern world it’s rather common for an auxiliary barn to be transformed into a guest house, cottage or in some cases, a full-time residence. Equipped with four walls and a roof above, the possibilities are endless when it comes customizing the rustic interior of this countryside mainstay.

Grain Silos

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A proper grain silo comes complete with sturdy walls, a weather resistant top and a concrete floor. And what was once used for the storage and preservation of grain can also be easily converted into a modern apartment or home – all it takes is some added insulation and tasteful furnishings. Using only these silos (that are relatively inexpensive and abundantly available to anyone with the proper equipment for transport), there have been some rather impressive home renovations as a result.

Airplanes

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As a passenger on an airplane it’s easy to feel cramped and strapped for space but imagine if you removed all of the seats, overhead compartments and drink carts…what a difference it would make. By removing these barriers and adding a few basic home furnishings, you may find this tubular shell to be an expansive area suited for a small family. Though there have been many renditions of the airplane abode, the double-decker above is the authority when it comes to re-purposed airplane dwellings.

Cave Dwelling

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Though this isn’t a wholly re-purposed home, the builders managed to use an existing cave to cut some corners on materials. Because Mother Nature already erected three walls and a roof, this home in Missouri is mostly a front-end, interior design and added insulation to shield the elements. A magnificent home buried deep in the cliff-face, this home is tutorial on using pre-existing structures to fend off the neighbors.

Bomb Shelters

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Across the world designers are putting dormant bomb shelters to use. Swiss designers have managed to turn a former atomic bomb shelter into a stylish setting for an Internet datacenter. Located 30 meters underground and resembling something from a James Bond movie, this office space comes fully equipped with running water, electricity and even a garden. As for Shanghai, a couple of shelters have been re-purposed for use as bars – now you can drink without fear of atomic exposure.

Drain Pipes

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A rare breed of hotel has surfaced in Germany based on the idea of ultimate simplicity. Using the argument that hotels are for nothing more than sleeping, they offer individual sleeping quarters made from large re-purposed drainpipes and furnished only with a bed and a lamp. All other amenities, such as bathrooms and showers are communal and based at a central location on the hotel campus.

Missile Silos

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A Midwestern couple has turned a cold war missile silo into their one and only home sweet home. At this point the facility is fully decommissioned and convincingly transformed into a humble abode; a fine display of what a little imagination and creativity can achieve. Yes, it seems a bizarre choice of residence but they welcome the opportunity to re-purpose what once housed a hateful weapon into a loving home.