Thinking inside the box 3: Earthworld Architects

VISI’s deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes invited 10 architects to explore the concept of container architecture in a South African context. We’re publishing the results in our Thinking Inside the Box feature.

The third solution, from Earthworld Architects, uses existing buildings combined with containers to address the unresolved issue of sufficient inner-city accommodation is still an unresolved dilemma. By using existing buildings combined with containers, has come up with an answer. 

Container concept

Hotels and apartment blocks are springing up in Cape Town’s city centre and it won’t be long before maximum capacity is reached. With this in mind, Earthworld Architects decided to utilise existing buildings when designing accommodation, rather than building from scratch.

The idea is explained as follows: “The exchange of information, products, ideas and beliefs thrives in urban conditions of proximity and density. For this reason, travellers do not want to be anywhere else but in the centre of the city.” By using containers as the viable building material (their shape, weight and size make them the most labour-effective option) and attaching them to structures built on the exteriors of pre-existing buildings, the company has found an innovative way to create additional living spaces.     

Company profile

Earthworld Architects was established in 1998 and provides a variety of professional services that include architecture, project coordination, detail design, technical and tender documentation, construction administration and inspection. The ethic of Earthworld Architects is to establish a synergy between client, architect and contractor. The company’s technical expertise and thorough knowledge of the building industry has enabled it to successfully present clients with final products of excellent quality. 

The team that worked on this project comprised Braam de Villiers, André Eksteen and Leon van der Westhuizen.  

012 346 5400, info@earthworldarchitects.co.za, earthworldarchitects.co.za

See more VISI articles about container architecture here.