Q’anápsu is a 25-container dispensary located on the Cowlitz Reservation in Washington state, just 30 minutes north of Portland, Oregon. As one of the largest shipping container structures in the Western Hemisphere, this 5,000 sqft. cannabis retail headquarters demonstrates the possibilities of volumetric modular construction and reflects the Cowlitz Tribe’s dedication to sustainable development.

The two-story dispensary, designed and coordinated by ROXBOX, features a double cantilever structure made from ten 40-foot containers on the first level and fifteen 20- and 40-foot containers on the second. Painted in Q’anápsu’s iconic green and adorned with cultural branding, the structure houses a check-in entrance and patio, expansive retail space, ATM room, photo/selfie room, product storage, employee lounge, offices, and a secure driveway for deliveries.

More than just a retail space, Q’anápsu tells a cultural story. As the Cowlitz Tribe explains: “Welcome to Q’anápsu, a unique dispensary experience brought to you by the Cowlitz people. Q’anápsu in our language means grass. Just like the hearty grasses throughout the prairies as you look east from where you stand, Q’anápsu has a thousand stories to tell. From artwork representing our beautiful landscape, to the shapes of traditional cedar hats, you’ll see our stories are woven throughout our store.”

ROXBOX collaborated with the Gallagher agency to bring this project to life, with structural engineering services provided by JVA.

• Modular Building Institute 2024 Awards of Distinction: First Place – Permanent Modular Retail
• ACEC Colorado: 2024 Honor Award at the Engineering Excellence Awards