An outdoor construction site with a dirt ground, piles of gravel and soil, rebar rods, a blue water bottle, and three workers standing against a beige wall under trees.

Shipping Container Office & Storage Facility for Serendia

Serendia · Narahenpita, Colombo

Two containers. Two functions. One considered design.

HCD developed a customised office and storage facility for Serendia using 40 ft and 20 ft ISO General Purpose shipping containers arranged in an L-shaped configuration.

Built at one of Serendia's properties in Narahenpita, the project provides separate working space for office staff and a dedicated area for operational storage.

Structural steel modifications, specialised thermal insulation, Hybrid cement construction type interiors and a protective Zincalume roof transform the original freight containers into functional commercial spaces.

Client Serendia

Location Narahenpita, Colombo

Original structures 40 ft GP + 20 ft GP shipping containers

Architectural arrangement L-shaped configuration

Primary function Staff office & operational storage

Interior construction HCD Hybrid cement construction type

Architectural planning

Separate spaces. A coordinated layout.

The architectural arrangement responds to Serendia's requirement for staff workspace and storage within an existing commercial property.

A 40 ft ISO GP shipping container forms the main section of the development. A 20 ft GP container is positioned perpendicular to it, creating an L-shaped layout.

Both containers function as separate internal spaces rather than one interconnected room. This maintains a clear distinction between office activities and operational storage.

The L-shaped arrangement allows two different operational functions to be accommodated within one coordinated container development.

The architecture

Retaining the container's identity.

The exterior retains the original corrugated steel profile of the ISO shipping containers.

Aluminium-framed windows and entrance openings were incorporated into the container elevations to provide access and natural lighting.

An additional Zincalume roof completes the building's architectural outline while providing a protective covering above the original container roofs.

Structural container modification

Modifying the steel structure for a new use.

HCD adapted the original ISO GP container structures to accommodate the required doors, windows and building services.

Openings were formed in the corrugated steel walls. Additional steel reinforcement was installed around these openings to strengthen the affected sections of the container structure.

The modifications retain the principal container framework while adapting the structures for their new commercial functions.

Steel reinforcement around modified openings forms an important part of HCD's structural container modification process.

Foundation construction

Dedicated support for the modified containers.

The containers were installed on individual concrete footings constructed at the project site.

Each footing measures 12 × 12 inches with a depth of 36 inches. The footings provide designated support locations for the installed container structures.

Thermal insulation & interiors

From freight container to finished workspace.

Steel shipping containers require appropriate thermal treatment when adapted for occupied spaces in Sri Lanka's climate.

HCD incorporated its specialised thermal insulation system to reduce heat transfer through the original steel container enclosure.

Internal walls and ceilings were completed using HCD's Hybrid cement construction type, creating finished surfaces over the container structure and insulation layers.

Wood-effect flooring planks were installed to complete the interior, providing a consistent finished surface suitable for daily use.

Roofing & weather protection

An additional protective roof.

A roofing system using 0.47 mm Zincalume sheets was incorporated above the modified shipping containers.

The aluminium-zinc coated steel roofing provides an additional weather-protection layer and contributes to the finished architectural appearance.

Construction specifications

The details behind the conversion.

ISO container structures

One 40 ft GP and one 20 ft GP shipping container arranged in an L-shaped configuration.

Structural reinforcement

Additional steel reinforcement installed around modified door and window openings.

Concrete foundations

Individual concrete footings measuring 12 × 12 inches with a depth of 36 inches.

Thermal insulation

HCD specialised thermal insulation system incorporated within the container interiors.

Interior finishes

Hybrid cement construction type wall and ceiling finishes with wood-effect flooring planks.

Zincalume roofing

Additional protective roof constructed using 0.47 mm Zincalume roofing sheets.

Doors, windows & services

Detailed for daily operations.

The architectural design includes aluminium-framed entrance openings and three sliding windows measuring 915 × 1,220 mm.

The electrical schedule specifies 13 power socket points, nine 12 W LED lights, four outdoor lights and provisions for two air-conditioning units.

These installations support the intended use of the office and storage facilities.

Quantities are based on the architectural and electrical drawing.

Commercial application

A practical approach to additional workspace.

The Serendia project demonstrates how ISO shipping containers can be adapted to provide commercial facilities within existing properties.

The original steel container framework provides the starting point for structural modifications, thermal treatment, interior construction and building services.

Similar configurations can be developed for staff offices, administration facilities, operational storage, site offices and other commercial applications.

HCD container modification

From ISO containers to functional facilities.

The Serendia development brings together architectural planning, structural steel modifications, foundation construction, thermal insulation, interior finishing, roofing and building services.

The project illustrates HCD's approach to converting ISO shipping containers into commercial facilities designed around specific operational requirements.

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