(Photo credit: NY Times)
The Push Button House is a converted shipping container that opens to a living space “like a flower”. It is designed by American architect, artist, and author, Adam Kalkin. He creates innovative living and work spaces with shipping containers. It’s “upcycling“(a term coined by architect William McDonough), creating a higher purpose from a prior one.
Watch the Push Button House open here.
Building Brand
The Push Button House was used by Italian coffee company illy to showcase illycafe at the Venice Biennale 2007. It attracted a lot of attention and helped enhance the illy brand (and sell a lot of espresso). The WOW factor with a caffeine jolt. Let’s hope the bathroom isn’t on one of these walls.
If you want to see a Push Button House up close, visit the Times Warner Center in Manhattan (10 Columbus Circle) between November 28- December 29, 2007. Meet Rudy and me there for an espresso. Our treat.
Adds new meaning to the Open House.
Adam Kalkin’s website here. (check out his books). Mr Kalkin is in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
h/t: Coolhunter (a very cool blog)
A bar in Australia uses a shipping container: (from NotCot, another cool blog)
Further reading & Other Kalkin architecture :
Heavy Metal Jacket with a Luxe Lining (The New York Times)
Bunny Lane House (Apartmenttherapy)
Kalkin House (Shelburne Museum)
11 Shipping Container Uses (NotCot)
Push Button House Technical Manual (only for the hardcore)
Cool Airbrush