19 Feb 2020
RJDL's café design promotes the "infinite possibilities" of shipping container construction
BY Stu Robarts
RJDL have created a café that is not only constructed from recycled shipping containers for sustainability, but that is designed in such a way as to espouse their use in construction for that reason.
The Infinity Café is laid out in the shape of the infinity symbol, with the theme used to "emphasise the infinite possibilities of using a shipping container as a structural unit".
Covering an area of 2,880sq ft (270sq m) at ITS Dental College in Greater Noida, India, it has been designed for use by students, faculty members and patients.
"The vision was to design a sustainable structure that goes beyond the conventional and pushes the boundaries of design and build form," explained Rahul Jain, principal architect at RJDJ. "Recycled shipping container, being a sustainable product, was a perfect fit due to its modularity as well as economic feasibility as compared to the conventional reinforced cement concrete structure. "
A total of eight 40ft (12m) containers are used to form the layout of the café, creating two courtyards, inclined and raised sections and rooftop seating areas.
Rooftop and window seating provide views out onto adjacent green space, while inside there is a choice of table seating, bar seating and terrace seating that is built into the stairs.
Insulation, panelling, window tints, passive ventilation and louvers made from reused shipping container doors are used to moderate the café's internal temperature.
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