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Cargotecture: 5 shipping container hot spots

Starbucks shipping container store, Puma City shipping container store, Les Grandes Tables shipping container restaurant

Photo: (Clockwise from top) Flickr, LOT-EK, 1024 Architecture

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Creative containers

"Cargotecture" refers to structures made partially or entirely of recycled shipping containers. There are millions of shipping containers at ports across the country just waiting to be recycled into relocatable, durable, securable and sustainable buildings that become homes, businesses and school gymnasiums around the world.

Everything from pop-up grocery stores to retail space has been plunked down, stacked end to end or vertically challenged to create cheap, environmentally sound and green building alternatives. Here are five shipping containers turned cool hot spots. (Text: Jennifer Nelson)