ROXBOX 2022 Year in Review
2022 was a big year for ROXBOX. We completed numerous projects for amazing clients, introduced multiple lines of ROXBOX models, teased ROXBOX Residential, expanded our offerings and capabilities, signed contracts on some exciting future projects (including multiple shipping container parks & multi-container structures), and moved our production facility to a 45,000 square foot facility in Houston, Texas. In recognition of the incredible year we had, we wanted to highlight these key milestones and showcase some of the projects we completed in 2022 that epitomize the ROXBOX design + build methodology.
None of this would be possible without our amazing team and we’re honored to work with some of the most dedicated, creative, passionate, and brilliant individuals in the world!
2022 Project Showcase
Coca-Cola BoomBox
The Coca-Cola BoomBox was one of our coolest projects to date and we could not have been happier with how it turned out. The entire ROXBOX team came together to design + build this incredible shipping container experiential marketing unit extremely fast without compromising our high-quality standards. This giant solar-powered boombox built out of an upcycled shipping container transforms into an interactive marketing experience at each location it stops. The underlying concept of the project focuses on bringing music to different communities and events while giving people the opportunity to learn how to DJ on high-end DJ equipment and highlighting the central Coca-Cola ethos of sustainability.
Key features of the BoomBox include: an interactive DJ experience where guests can learn to DJ, sound-activated LEDs, speakers that bump, VIP rooftop deck, and interchangeable graphics for different Coke brands and marketing initiatives. The BoomBox is the focal point wherever it goes… and since it’s fully solar-powered, it can go anywhere!
Boy Scouts of America 40' Shipping Container Healthcare Unit
The Boy Scouts of America 40’ healthcare unit was an exciting collaboration for our team and showcased our capabilities in the containerized healthcare space. Located on Melita Island, a private island Boy Scouts camping retreat on the beautiful Flathead Lake in Montana, this 40’ shipping container mobile healthcare clinic ensures the scouts are safe while at the campsite. With one check-in/office room, two diagnosis rooms, one exam room, and a mobile plumbing system with tanks, this unit is able to handle all of the retreat’s on-site simple medical needs. As a mobile classified unit, there was no need for permitting and the scouts will be able to move the container clinic to other locations in the future.
This unit was also one our coolest deliveries to date, as the unit was craned onto a barge, driven across one of the most beautiful lakes in the US, and then craned off the barge and onto the island! Still waiting on that Container Merit Badge but, with numerous Eagle Scouts on the team, we were proud to help this fantastic organization!
Simply Pizza 20' Shipping Container Kitchen
Simply Pizza is a Denver-based, woman-owned pizza business that we had the honor to build 20′ mobile pizza kitchens for as they continue their growth. We built two identical units for the Simply Pizza team as they expand their pizza empire from their food truck origin, and hope to build many more with them in the future. With onboard utilities, Simply Pizza is able to move their container kitchens to events, festivals, beer gardens, weddings, tailgates, and more! With many of our clients opting for 40’ kitchens, this project showcased the possibilities of utilizing 20’ shipping containers for kitchens and how we can use the smaller footprint to still build a spacious kitchen. Additionally, given their mobile classification, this project moved quickly and the timeline wasn’t hindered by architecture & engineering requirements that our permanent projects sometimes face.
Detroit Holiday Village Retail Huts Redeployment
Heading into the holidays, ROXBOX successfully redeployed the pop-up retail units we built for Detroit’s annual Holiday Village alongside Groundswell Design Group & Bedrock.
First deployed for last year’s holiday market, the units have been stored off-site since February. Over the course of late November & early December, the ROXBOX, Groundswell, and Bedrock teams collaborated on transporting the units back to Detroit’s Cadillac Square in the city’s center for the annual holiday experience. The village consists of an outdoor marketplace with eight beautiful custom retail spaces featuring a variety of local Detroit retailers. As part of the Bedrock and Quicken Loans Community Fund’s mission to support the local entrepreneurial community, each business featured in the holiday market is Detroit-based, female-owned and/or minority-owned. Merchandise ranging from locally inspired streetwear and artwork to delicious treats and Michigan staple dishes provides all attendees a sampling of Detroit’s unique culture.
These units were designed by Groundswell Design Group for Bedrock and fabricated by ROXBOX. We are very proud to support this project and its mission!
Bruder Design House Shipping Container Garage
ROXBOX partnered with Bruder Design House, a residential design + build firm based out of Colorado, to design and build this beautiful shipping container garage. Located in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Golden, Colorado, the project is a shining testament of modular design overcoming a challenging hillside site. Built from seven 20’ high-cube shipping containers, this two-story multi-container structure has an elevated two-car garage, gear room/mudroom, outdoor game area, professional music studio, home gym and a rooftop deck with stunning views of the mountains.
The sustainably-built garage overcomes its hillside location via its two-story design. On the top level, the two-car garage and gear/mudroom are seamlessly connected to the main floor of the house via an elevated deck. On the first level, the music studio, home gym and outdoor game room are connected to the basement via a wrap-around deck that opens up to a beautiful backyard.
This project is a prime example of the “shell” pathway for a custom project. The Bruder Design House team came to ROXBOX with stamped architectural plans whereupon ROXBOX helped refine the plans and get them approved. ROXBOX then supplied and installed the shells on-site (ROXBOX was contracted to unload and install/connect the shipping containers). Bruder Design House and their experienced General Contractor then took over and finished out the units with on-site inspections from the local Building Department. ROXBOX was able to deliver and install the garage’s “shell” in days, giving the Bruder team their beautiful 2-story garage shell quickly and highlighting the value of modular construction.
Shipping Container Bars
While not a single project, 2022 was a huge year for shipping container bars. The BeerCan & BillyBox are what ROXBOX was built on and we love designing & building these units for our clients. Our shipping container bar models are our most popular products and some of the fastest units we can build – these units have a huge ROI and we are able to deliver them within weeks! Showcased below are multiple shipping container bar projects we completed this year.
Aspen Grove 20’ Shopping Complex 20’ BeerCan Heavy
The 20′ BeerCan Heavy we built for Aspen Grove Shopping Center in Littleton, Colorado was one of the coolest bars we have ever built. The “BarBox” serves as the centerpiece to Aspen Grove’s brand new beer garden and is run by Breckenridge Brewery. With three service windows, a 10-tap draft system, and a walk-in cooler that can hold upwards of 20 kegs, the BarBox will be cranking out drinks all year long to beer garden guests!
Carowinds Amusement Park 20’ BillyBoxes
We designed & built two 20’ mobile BillyBoxes for Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carowinds, the premier entertainment and thrill ride amusement park in the Carolinas, will be using the BillyBoxes to serve beverages to eager guests all year long. These high revenue-generating units can be moved throughout the park and were delivered quickly due to their mobile building classification. These BillyBoxes are fully compliant, full-service shipping container bars with built-in walk-in coolers. The units have all of the necessary equipment to meet health code and serve all beverages (beer, cocktails, wine, seltzers, sodas, etc).
Rail Haus Beer Garden BeerCan Heavy
We designed & built a 20′ BeerCan Heavy for Rail Haus Beer Garden in downtown Dover, Delaware. With one of our favorite paint jobs and vinyl wrappings to date, this unit highlights how you can customize our models to truly mak the box your own. This bright, badass BeerCan will be the centerpiece of the outdoor patio at this brand-new beer garden opening in 2023!
The Dive Inn Beer Garden
The Dive Inn is a popular dive bar in Denver, Colorado and recently opened up a brand new beer garden. The Dive Inn utilized shipping containers to transform a parking lot outside their bar into a mini “container park”, which has since become one of Denver’s most popular beer gardens.
The beer garden consists of four mobile classified units: a customized 20′ BillyBox, a custom 20′ mixed-use container (currently being used for seating, but it is also used as a stage, dj booth, and winter storage), and (1) 20’ and (1) 40′ storage containers that double as the beer garden walls, additional storage, and sound barriers. ROXBOX designed, built, and delivered the 20’ BillyBox and 20’ mixed-use container to create a vibrant and revenue-generating beer garden in lieu of their underutilized parking lot. This project showcases how shipping containers can transform any space, big or small, into an exciting new container park development quickly and cost-effectively.
Oakland Hills Golf Course BillyBox
Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is one of the most storied and famous locations in the golf world. Unfortunately a devastating fire tore through the country club last winter, destroying the entire clubhouse and all amenities nearby. While the club decided to continue operations throughout the year, the fire destroyed all of their food & beverage operations and they were unable to serve their guests. The club therefore reached out to ROXBOX and we were able to deliver them a 20’ BillyBox in a very fast timeline. The bar is being used year-round to serve beverages and snacks to club guests while they work to rebuild their clubhouse.
ROXBOX Models
Fast. Cheap. Easy.
In early 2022, we launched our extensive line of modified shipping container models in the Food & Beverage and Commercial spaces. ROXBOX models are different base models that we have spent years refining and optimizing. By choosing one of our ROXBOX models (as opposed to a custom project), customers are greatly reducing the time and cost of their projects, especially from a pre-construction standpoint as all of the designs are already completed. Models have various add-ons that customers can choose from (such as a rooftop deck or various finish options) and can be painted/branded to whatever the client’s preference is to truly make the build their own. ROXBOX models are great for single-unit builds and for projects with tight timelines and/or budgets..
While we are always expanding our offering of ROXBOX models, our current models consist of bars & taprooms, kitchens, cafes, concession stands, retail units, bathrooms, experiential marketing units, and homes. To learn more about each model, visit our Models page here.
HELIOS Solar
Energy That Moves
In collaboration with our partners at Black Stump Technologies in Australia, 2022 saw significant strides in our HELIOS Solar line. HELIOS is our line of off-grid, 100% solar-powered containers that include: Refrigerators, Freezers, Ice-Makers, and Solar Generators.
Our HELIOS units provide rapidly deployable solutions to the issues of energy, refrigeration, healthcare, agriculture, food distribution, events, disaster response, military, and the cold chain. These units offer a reliable replacement for diesel generators & diesel reefer containers while providing comprehensive real-time reporting to allow firms to show that they are meeting their sustainability goals. With multiple contracts signed for 2023 deliveries and partnerships in the works, we’re excited to continue building the HELIOS line and doing our part to keep the world green.
ROXBOX Residential
In addition to launching ROXBOX models in 2022, we also launched ROXBOX Residential, the luxury shipping container home arm of ROXBOX Containers. The demand for attainable housing has never been greater and we wanted to do our part to help maximize residential sustainable development. We therefore partnered with our friends at Box & Boulder to develop models that showcase the possibilities of shipping container homes. For rentals and investment properties, our customers are able to truly wow their guests with a home unlike anything they have ever stayed in.
We currently offer our LuxBox ADU model and custom shells for individual home buyers or we will work with developers to produce units at scale. In 2023 we will be introducing our more luxury, modular container home models… Stay tuned!
ROXBOX Shells
2022 was also a transformational year for our “shell” pathway, as we designed, built & delivered numerous shell projects, expanded our shell pathway capabilities, and began work on multiple large-scale, multi-unit shell projects. By choosing a shell, ROXBOX simply provides the modified container(s) with doors, windows, framing, insulation under the floors, and exterior paint while our customer’s team and/or a local General Contractor finishes out the project on-site and completes all on-site inspections. “Shells” are our least expensive and fastest option but are also our most limited as far as scope.
Whereas ROXBOX models and custom projects will arrive on-site essentially turn-key and have already been fully inspected at our facility by approved 3rd-party inspection agencies, shells are limited to modifying the unit to the point of the first inspection whereupon we usually stop at studs. Once the shell(s) arrive, a licensed General Contractor takes over and finishes the build-out on-site with correlating inspections from your local building department. Therefore, our customers all-in costs for the unit(s) will be similar in the end but this pathway is seen as a more traditional construction pathway.
Stay tuned for some news on a few massive shell projects we have in the works!
ROXBOX Houston
2022 also brought a big move for the ROXBOX team, as we moved our manufacturing facility to Houston, Texas. While our headquarters & design studio will remain in Denver, all production was moved to our new modular manufacturing facility in Houston. Our new 40,000 sqft space greatly enhances our capabilities and ability to produce high-quality units at scale. With 30+ production bays and two 25-ton cranes, we can now handle projects of any size or complexity. The Houston factory also makes ROXBOX much more efficient which translates to lower cost and faster delivery timelines for our customers.
Houston Shop Video Tour
Join us on a 2-minute tour of our manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas.
What's Next in 2023?
While 2022 was an incredible year for ROXBOX, this is just the beginning for this team. We have tons of exciting projects and initiatives in the works that we can’t wait to share with everyone in 2023 and beyond! From 25-container structures to multi-unit shipping container parks all over the country, you are going to see some next level projects from the ROXBOX team come to life this year.
If you are interested to learn more about our shipping container projects or have any questions for our team, click here to contact us.
Project Spotlight: Bruder Design House Shipping Container Garage
Project Background
ROXBOX partnered with Bruder Design House, a residential design + build firm based out of Colorado, to design and build this beautiful shipping container garage. Located in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Golden, Colorado, the project is a shining testament of modular design overcoming a challenging hillside site. Built from seven 20’ high-cube shipping containers, this two-story multi-container structure has an elevated two-car garage, gear room/mudroom, outdoor game area, professional music studio, home gym and a rooftop deck with stunning views of the mountains.
The sustainably-built garage overcomes its hillside location via its two-story design. On the top level, the two-car garage and gear/mudroom are seamlessly connected to the main floor of the house via an elevated deck. On the first level, the music studio, home gym and outdoor game room are connected to the basement via a wrap-around deck that opens up to a beautiful backyard.
The innovative shipping container garage is part of Bruder Design House’s Echo project, a mid-century modern rebuild and expansion. As described by the Bruder Design House team on their website, “located in the foothills of the Rockies in Golden Colorado, the Echo project transformed a two-story mid-century home into a modern, multi-generational home while pushing the boundaries of container building. Expansive outdoor living and views of the mountains from the patio cap off a total transformation of this prime property”. Bruder Design House led the design and finish work of the garage, while ROXBOX Containers completed all of the structural shipping container work (framing, doors, windows, etc) both in our production facility and on-site.
This project is a prime example of the “shell” pathway for a custom project. The Bruder Design House team came to ROXBOX with stamped architectural plans whereupon ROXBOX helped refine the plans and get them approved. ROXBOX then supplied and installed the shells on-site (ROXBOX was contracted to unload and install/connect the shipping containers). Bruder Design House then took over and finished out the units with on-site inspections from the local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction). ROXBOX was able to deliver and install the garage’s “shell” in days, giving the Bruder team their beautiful 2-story garage shell very quickly and highlighting the value of modular construction.
With the launch of ROXBOX Residential, our line of luxury shipping container homes, we’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible with shipping containers in the residential space.
Specs & Modifications
Project specs and modifications include:
- Seven 20’ high-cube one-trip containers (4 of which were double-door containers)
- Structural steel reinforcement
- Floor-to-ceiling windows in the gym unit
- Wall, floor, and ceiling container modifications for various rooms
- Container modifications which allowed the units to be stacked
- Exterior paint
- Custom modification to container doors to make them easier to open/close
- Steel modifications for the rooftop deck and stairs
- MEP supports and penetrations
- Closed-cell spray foam under the ground floor containers
- Two-car garage (3 containers)
- Gear room/mudroom (1 container)
- Outdoor game area (Negative space under cantilever)
- Professional music studio
- Home gym
- Rooftop deck
Location
The shipping container garage is located in a high-end residential neighborhood in the foothills of Golden, Colorado. Golden is a booming suburb of Denver and is becoming an architectural hotspot for unique, modern home designs. The aesthetic of the garage makes it seamlessly fit into the modern, industrial design of the home and is an eye-catching contrast against the Rocky Mountain landscape. Sean Gatzen (Bruder Design House’s Co-Founder & Principal Designer) developed a highly efficient and innovative design to combat the extreme slope of the hillside – a design that can be replicated on any hillside site with the garage on the top or bottom level.
Timeline
Click here to review ROXBOX’s Four-Step Phase Process
The timeline of this project went relatively quickly and smoothly – especially in comparison to traditional construction timelines. As with all of our projects, the pre-construction phases (Phase 1: Design & Planning + Phase 2: Construction Documents) took the longest and we had to ensure the plans were approved prior to starting construction. By executing a modular shell build, we were able to deliver and install the structure within days of the units being completed at our facility. After installation, the Bruder Design House team took over and finished the build on-site with on-site inspections. The pre-construction component (Phase 1: Design & Planning + Phase 2: Construction Documents) of this project took ~3 months to complete and get approvals from the local building department. The build and delivery + installation component (Phase 3: Construction & Production + Phase 4: Delivery & Installation) of this project took less than 8 weeks to complete.
Project Development
Phase 4 (Delivery + Installation)
Finished build on-site
If you are interested to learn more about the Bruder Design House container garage or any of our other container modification projects, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
The 3 Best Build Strategies for Your Shipping Container Project
When working with ROXBOX on a modular shipping container project, we offer three pathways to choose from: ROXBOX Models, Custom Shipping Container Projects, and Shells. Each path offers its own advantages and we work with our clients to help them choose which option fits their concept and vision best. In this blog we cover all three pathways in detail, covering the pros & cons, timelines, and costs of each option.
ROXBOX Models
ROXBOX Models are different base models that we have spent years refining and optimizing. By choosing one of our ROXBOX models, you are greatly reducing the time and cost of your project, especially from a pre-construction standpoint as all of the conceptual designs are already completed. Models have various add-ons and upgrades that you can choose from (such as a rooftop deck or various finish options) and can be painted/branded to whatever your preference is to truly make the build your own and match your brand. ROXBOX models are great for single-unit builds or “Container Park” concepts with multiple single units at a site.
While we are always expanding our offerings of ROXBOX models, our current modified shipping container models consist of custom container bars, shipping container cafes, kitchens, retail, concession stands, stages, and experiential marketing units.
You can learn more about each of these models on our Models page here.
ROXBOX Models Pros & Cons
Pros
- Proven designs and builds: We have spent years refining and optimizing these designs, so you can be confident that you are getting a functional and durable model.
- Fast Project Timelines: Since all of our model designs are already completed, we are able to skip most of Phase 1 (Design & Planning). Depending on if your project is mobile or permanent, we are also able to greatly reduce the amount of time we spend in Phase 2 (Construction Documents). We are therefore able to jump into Phase 3 (Production & Construction) much quicker than a custom build.
- Relatively cheaper: By skipping Phase 1 (and the associated cost), the total cost of the project becomes instantly cheaper. In addition, we have designed our models to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible while still meeting requirements for code compliance and the intended use-case of each model. Additionally, we have built numerous of these units utilizing proven and known techniques, materials, and designs, so the actual cost to build a model is relatively cheaper given the manufacturing efficiencies.
- Customizations Through Add-Ons: Make any one of our models your own unique unit by adding your own special touches through add-ons such as: signage/branding, different paint colors or a mural, a rooftop deck, etc.
Cons
- Set Designs: With ROXBOX models you are confined to the designs on our Models page. While there are various add-ons and upgrades that you can choose from and the unit can be painted/branded to whatever your preference is, any structural or design changes will result in a custom project (see next section Custom Projects for more details).
- Not entirely “off-the-shelf”: In order for your business to operate legally, each project deserves attention towards code compliance. While our model designs reduce the time and cost for pre-construction, there will still be some costs and time for pre-construction for your project. If the unit is classified as mobile/temporary and architecture and engineering are not required, the pre-construction timeline and cost for ROXBOX models are extremely small.
Who Should Choose a ROXBOX Model?
ROXBOX models are perfect for people who need a unit fast, cheap, and high-quality. We continuously refine our models based on our experience and each model is the ideal unit for its intended use case.
ROXBOX Model Examples:
Custom Projects
Custom projects allow our customers to bring their specific visions to life. With custom projects, we work with your team to design and build your concept from scratch, bringing a napkin sketch to reality. While this pathway adds time and cost to a project, it enables our clients to build a structure that perfectly fits their brand and vision. The main limiting factors of a fully custom project are timeline, budget, imagination, and code compliance. Therefore, custom projects are great for people that have a long timeline and ample budget to design a concept from scratch – whether that be a single unit or multiple units.
Custom Projects Pros & Cons
Pros
- Your Vision: With custom projects, you can truly bring your wildest visions to life (as long as the concept meets code). Work with our talented team of designers to design a project (whether it’s one container or 100) that perfectly fits your needs and goals. No matter what you’re envisioning, partnering with ROXBOX ensures your project will be built to the highest quality by a team that understands ALL the nuances, codes, and hurdles that go into building with shipping containers.
- Innovative: Custom projects allow you to design a truly unique container project that has never been done before. Perhaps you want to build an iconic and innovative structure utilizing shipping containers to emphasize truly sustainable development while capturing the efficiencies gained from modular construction methodologies, or perhaps you have an innovative product that is designed to be containerized and you need us to refine the design and act as a contract manufacturer to produce hundreds of units at scale. The possibilities are truly endless with container modification projects!
Cons
- Expensive: Since we are designing custom projects from scratch, there will be higher costs in Phase 1 (Design & Planning), Phase 2 (Construction Documents), and Phase 3 (Construction & Production) than a predesigned model.
- Longer Project Timeline: Custom projects have longer project timelines since we are designing the product from scratch, need to submit the custom designs through all of the necessary approval and inspection processes, and since we often are building something for the first time there will be added manufacturing costs for R&D.
Who Should Choose a ROXBOX Custom Project?
Custom projects are great for people that have a healthy budget, ample time, and want to build a project that matches their vision. As a design + build firm we work with many firms and people to bring their custom concepts to life and we love tackling innovative projects, especially at scale.
ROXBOX Custom Project Examples:
Shells
By choosing a shell, ROXBOX simply provides the modified container(s) with doors, windows, framing, insulation under the floors, and exterior paint while your team and/or a local General Contractor finishes out the project on-site and coordinates all on-site inspections. “Shells” are our least expensive and fastest option but are also our most limited as far as scope. You should therefore be prepared to do some serious construction work on site. We still typically handle pre-construction Phase 1 (Design & Planning) & Phase 2 (Construction Documents) to design the unit(s) and produce a stamped Construction Drawing set. You can also provide the approved drawings yourselves and we would skip right to the shop drawings based on the plans you provide. For the shell pathway, we often work with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), aka your local building department (instead of the State Modular program) when it comes to plan review, inspections, etc.
Whereas ROXBOX models and custom projects will arrive on-site essentially turn-key and have already been fully inspected at our facility by approved 3rd-party inspection agencies, shells are limited to modifying the unit to the point of the first inspection (ie. modified container, doors, windows, spray-foam underneath the floors, framing, and exterior paint). Once the shell(s) arrive, a licensed General Contractor takes over and finishes the build-out on-site with correlating inspections. Therefore, your all-in costs for the unit will be similar in the end but this pathway is seen as a more traditional construction pathway.
Shell Option Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheap: Lower cost as you are only paying for the modified container(s) with doors, windows, framing, insulation under the floors, and exterior paint.
- Fast Project Timeline: ROXBOX can turn around shell projects extremely fast, as we are only responsible for the basic container modifications.
Cons
- DIY Project: You and your team are responsible for all of the finish work on site and all necessary inspections. This typically includes rough and final electrical, rough and final plumbing, insulation, finished walls/ceiling/floor, equipment, lights, HVAC, etc.
- No warranty: Since these units will be worked on and finished by others, we cannot offer a warranty. ROXBOX always builds to IBC code and we pride ourselves on our craftsmanship but we cannot be responsible for other people’s work.
Who Should Choose the Shell Option?
Shells are perfect for those that have a construction background (or are working with a team that has construction experience) and are comfortable with construction, inspections, etc.
*Important to Note – Watching YouTube videos or HGTV shows does not count as having construction experience and you will most likely spend a lot of time and money learning why most people hire professionals. DIY projects based on these viral videos rarely go according to plan and we are often called back to help.
ROXBOX Shell Examples:
ROXBOX built and delivered this shell to Mobile Television Group (MTVG) in Denver, Colorado
MTVG completed all of the finish work shown below in their own facility
ROXBOX built and delivered this shell to Round Barn Estate in Baroda, Michigan
Round Barn Estate completed all of the finish work on-site in collaboration with a local general contractor
Takeaway
As you can see, there are several ways to approach your particle shipping container project and each pathway has its pros and cons. Irrespective of what path you choose, we highly recommend getting our firm engaged in pre-construction Phases 1 & 2 as soon as possible as those phases can take months depending on what your building department requires (it also never hurts to get pre-construction out of the way early). Building a structure legally takes considerable expertise, time, and commitment – which are not often shown on HGTV or other viral shipping container modification videos. No matter what path you choose or which firm you decide to work with on your container project, do your due diligence and ensure you are following the law or you may wind up with a giant (and expensive) paperweight. Our three different paths are designed to give you different options that align with your budget, timeline, expertise, and goals.
Whether you know which pathway you are interested in or if you are interested in learning more about each option, the first step for any project is to contact us and speak with our team of experts about your concept and vision. Based on an initial conversation, our team will be able to offer you valuable insights into your project and point you in the right direction. Reach out to our team here and let’s chat about which path is best for your project!
Project Spotlight: Nokian Tyres Experiential Marketing Activation
Project Background
Nokian Tyres produces world-class tires for cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment. Known for its winter tire collection, Nokian is the only tire manufacturer with its own permanent winter tire testing facility in the world. Every year, the Nokian North American marketing team travels to ski resorts across the United States and Canada showcasing these high-end winter tires to winter sport enthusiasts. Having used pop-up tents in past years, the Nokian team wanted to take their roadshow display to the next level. However, this would be no easy task, as the activation would have to be both functional in cold and snowy environments and durable enough to withstand the harsh winter conditions while activated at ski resorts and while being transported all over the continent.
Having seen and been inspired by the experiential marketing activation we built for Adidas Golf, the Nokian Tyres marketing team reached out to ROXBOX with the goal of emulating that design for their own experiential marketing needs. As a company that prides itself on sustainability, safety, and eco-friendliness across the entire life cycle of their products, partnering with ROXBOX and up-cycling a shipping container for their next big experiential marketing project fit Nokian’s values and culture perfectly.
Enter “Roxanne”, this custom container activation – a 20’ one-trip shipping container modified into a truly badass experiential marketing activation that the Nokian team will be able to use for years to come. As highlighted below in the specs & modifications section, the unit has all of the customizations and equipment the team needs to successfully showcase their tires at ski resorts, trade shows, and events across the country. From two fold-down stages and a collapsible rooftop deck to a custom trailer and Nokian signage/branding, the unit is a true transformer that is sure to draw crowds and stand out in a field of pop-up tents. The wooden cladding on the back and interior wall of the unit even matches Nokian’s U.S. headquarters (shown in the Specs & Modifications section below)!
Specs & Modifications
- Rooftop deck w/ collapsible railings
- Push-button fold-down side and end-cap decks w/ detachable railings
- Electrical, lights, TV, heaters, and fans
- Credenza and flooring
- Two-tone paint job to match Nokian’s brand colors
- Custom signage & branding
- Cladding (interior & exterior) to match their U.S. Headquarters facade
- Custom trailer w/ a custom skirt to hide the trailer once activated
- Stairs for side decks and the rooftop deck
- A true transformer – folds up for transport and opens up when deployed at any location
The unit's interior & exterior cladding matches the facade of Nokian's North American headquarters
Location
The activation is traveling with the Nokian Tyres North America roadshow team to ski resorts, events, and trade shows throughout the country. The activation first stopped at Killington Ski Resort in Killington, Vermont in December 2021 for the Homelight Killington Cup (the FIS Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup. The activation then stopped at Copper Mountain Colorado in late January for Copper’s annual Nokian Safety Fest. The unit was parked at the base of Copper Mountain’s main chair lift, where the Nokian team taught skiers and snowboarders about tire safety and showcased their world-class winter tires (two lucky winners even went home with a brand new set of winter tires that weekend). “Roxanne” is now headed to Mount Bachelor in Oregon and Snowbird Resort in Utah!
Nokian Tyres at Copper Mountain's annual Safety Fest
Timeline
Phase 1 (Design + Planning) for this project took about 3 weeks since the design is based on our “standard” 20’ experiential model. We worked collaboratively with Nokian to refine the standard model and to integrate their branding while incorporating some add-ons like the rooftop deck, cladding, and two-tone paint. Next we moved into Phase 2 (Shop Drawings + Quote) where we produced detailed shop drawings and the final quote for Nokian’s approval in ~4 weeks. We then dove into Phase 3 (Production + Construction) but encountered some supply chain issues for materials that forced us to adjust on-the-fly in order to meet the project’s timeline – can’t miss the first stop of the event tour! The production of “Roxanne” took ~7 weeks and produced one of the coolest single containers we’ve ever built. For this project, we implemented our Phase 5 (Tour Management & Logistics) to help coordinate delivery, film a set up and tear down instructional video for the Nokian marketing, sent out a team member to train Nokian’s team and help deploy the unit for the first time, and helped coordinate transportation to Copper for the second activation.
Project Development
Nokian Tyres napkin sketch
Nokian Tyres conceptual renderings
Work in progress photos of the unit in ROXBOX's Denver facility
Completed project photos
If you are interested to learn more about the Nokian Tyres Experiential Marketing activation or any of our other product lines of container modifications, click here to contact our team or visit our homepage for more custom shipping container structures.
Project Spotlight: Detroit Holiday Village Retail Huts
Project Background
Building the Detroit Holiday Village pop-up container retail huts was an exciting project for the ROXBOX team. We worked with Groundswell Design Group out of Philadelphia on the fabrication of these units, which were installed in Groundswell’s festive and seasonal community activation. Groundswell is a full-service design firm that specializes in placemaking, hospitality and public space projects and it was an awesome opportunity getting to team up with them on such a special project. Groundswell led the design of the holiday village/retail suites and ROXBOX manufactured the units in our Denver facility and delivered them to Detroit.
The Detroit Holiday Village is an annual holiday experience set up by Bedrock Detroit and the Rocket Community Fund and is in its fifth consecutive year spearheaded by Groundswell Design Group. To welcome in the winter season and bring the holiday spirit to the city of Detroit, Bedrock/RCF had Groundswell Design Group set up a winter wonderland in Cadillac Square in the city’s center during the holiday season. The village consists of an outdoor marketplace featuring a variety of local Detroit retailers. As part of Bedrock and the Quicken Loans Community Fund’s mission to support the local entrepreneurial community, each business featured in the holiday market is Detroit-based, female-owned or minority-owned. Merchandise ranging from locally inspired streetwear and artwork to delicious treats and Michigan staple dishes provides all attendees a sampling of Detroit’s unique culture.
The pop-up retail units serve as the centerpiece in the village. In past years the retail suites were built from greenhouses, but Groundswell wanted to take their design a step further this year and really wow both the guests and business owners while creating an iconic community space in the heart of Detroit.
For this project, we opted to build steel-framed modular units from the ground up vs. upcycling shipping containers which led to some issues that we eagerly resolved. From difficulties in the supply chain, to difficulties on site – the ROXBOX team had numerous hurdles that we worked nights and weekends to navigate… When our team commits to a job and a timeline, we deliver. In the end, this project presented the ROXBOX team with many challenges that we had to overcome and we are thrilled with the final result!
The units will also be re-deployed yearly with different activations and use-cases outside the holiday market (ie. co-working spaces, farmer’s markets, small-business incubation hubs, etc).
Specs & Modifications
- (4) 40’L x 10’W, (2) 20’L x 10’W, (2) 10’L x 10’W custom-built steel-framed modular structures with a custom wall panel system, demising walls, sloped roof, and transom windows.
- Custom glass storefront windows
- Custom glass dutch-doors
- Built-out interior w/ framing, insulation, and finished Baltic birch walls
- Electrical & lights
- HVAC with heating
- High-end vinyl flooring
- Black exterior paint and exterior wood cladding
Each 40’ structure is divided into 3 retail spaces, the 20’ units house 2 retail spaces, and the 10’ units are used for admin spaces and hot cocoa + pre-packaged food.
Location
The Detroit Holiday Village is located in Cadillac Square in Detroit’s city center. Surrounded by some of Detroit’s most iconic buildings and located across the street from the city’s 50 foot tall Christmas tree and ice skating rink, the downtown village is the perfect holiday activity for people of all ages!
Timeline
Since Groundswell led the design and permitting of the project, we were able to skip Phase 1 (Planning + Design) for these temporary/mobile structures. We worked collaboratively with Groundswell to refine their drawings and produce detailed shop drawings in Phase 2 for client and permit approval. We then jumped right to Phase 3 (Production + Construction) in order to meet the project’s aggressive timeline – the holidays don’t wait for anyone! The production of the units took 9 weeks and pushed our team to the limit. ROXBOX coordinated delivery which required oversized load permits and coordination with the city to shut down roads in downtown Detroit, in conjunction with offloading via a crane to place the units in Cadillac Square.
Project Development
Construction of the retail huts in ROXBOX's Denver facility
Delivery & installation
Completed project photos
Next time you’re in Detroit during the holidays, make sure to swing by our custom-built units and support local businesses.
If you are interested in learning more about the Detroit Holiday Village retail huts or any of our other product lines of container modifications, click here to contact our team or visit our homepage for unique container building ideas
ROXBOX 2021 Project Showcase
2021 was a truly transformative year for ROXBOX. We quadrupled the size of our team, moved from a 5,000 sq. ft. facility to our 35,000 sq. ft. home in Denver, greatly expanded our product offerings (including, but limited to, Experiential Marketing, Kitchen, Bar & Taproom, Quick Service Restaurant, HELIOS Solar, Last Mile Delivery, Crypto Mining, Healthcare, Cannabis, Office, Safety & Rescue Training, and Patio), and completed numerous projects for amazing clients. In recognition of the incredible year we had, we wanted to showcase ten projects we completed in 2021 that epitomize the ROXBOX design + build methodology.
Experiential Marketing - Nokian Tyres Experiential Marketing Activation
The Nokian Tyres North American Marketing team approached ROXBOX with the vision of using a shipping container to take their experiential marketing to the next level and highlight their focus on sustainability. The mobile 20′ unit will be touring with the Nokian Tyres team from event to trade show showcasing their world-class tires and flexing all over pop-up tents coast-to-coast. First stop for the activation was Killington Ski Resort in early December 2021 and next stop is Copper Mountain in Colorado in February 2022!
Specs & Modifications
- 20’ Standard one-trip shipping container
- Rooftop deck w/ collapsible railings
- Push-button fold-down side and end-cap decks w/ detachable railings
- Electrical, lights, TV, heaters, and fans
- Credenza and flooring
- Two-tone paint job
- Custom signage & branding
- Cladding to match their U.S. Headquarters
- Custom trailer w/ a custom skirt
- Stairs for side decks and rooftop deck
- A true transformer – folds up for transport and opens up when deployed at any location
Bar & Taproom - Left Hand Brewing Company 40' BeerCan
Left Handing Brewing Company is one of the most iconic craft breweries in the country (and happens to be 40 minutes down the road from our ROXBOX headquarters), so we could not have been more excited when their team approached us about creating a custom shipping container bar concept for their new beer garden. From the get go, Left Hand knew what they wanted, an eye-catching, durable centerpiece to their new space that could serve their famous craft beers and beverages all year long. Enter Big Red, a 40 foot shipping container bar (aka the “BeerCan”) with all of the functionality and equipment of a full taproom.
Specs & Modifications
- 40’ High-Cube one-trip shipping container
- Walk-in cooler that holds 20+ kegs
- Custom pipe tap system w/ 6 taps
- Electrical & lights
- Left Hand light-up signage & interior and exterior paint
- Three customer windows with awnings (One ADA compliant)
- Custom back bar equipment and cabinets
- Numerous other custom details
Patio - Price Development Group PatioBox
Our custom container patio bar for Price Development Group (PDG) was an exciting and unique project for our team and showcased the possibilities for a container amenity at a residential or commercial development. PDG approached our team to help create a functional, durable and eye-catching patio bar for the open-air beer garden at their new apartment complex development in downtown Denver. Enter this “rusted” beauty, an open-air 20’ container bar that fits perfectly into the modern, industrial aesthetic of the complex and serves as a focal point to the entire development. By far our most exciting delivery, this unit was craned over 10 stories up and over the complex in order to place it on the 4th floor of the outdoor beer garden.
Specs & Modifications
- 20′ one-trip, double-door shipping container
- Electric, lighting & plumbing
- Kegerator with a two-tap system
- Hand sink and mini-fridge
- Mounted TV
- Custom rusted finish
- Custom granite countertops and subway tile
- Double-sided bar awning
- Fully ADA compliant
HELIOS Solar - 20' Off-Grid Refrigerator
HELIOS is our line of off-grid, solar infrastructure containers. Our HELIOS units enable us to provide rapidly deployable solutions addressing issues in energy, refrigeration, medical storage and cold-chain. Our products offer a reliable replacement for diesel generators & diesel reefer containers, therefore reducing emissions and allowing individuals, businesses and communities to save significantly on operating and fuel costs. With HELIOS, our goal is to improve the circumstances of individuals, communities and organizations through the development of solar-powered refrigeration and energy technologies which can be rapidly deployed in remote, off-grid and urban environments.
Below is our HELIOS 20’ refrigeration unit. Our HELIOS Solar shipping container line now includes solar powered, 100% off-grid refrigerators, freezers, ice makers and generators.
Specs & Modifications (20' HELIOS Refrigerator)
- 20’ High-cube custom one-trip shipping container
- 100% solar-powered refrigerator
- Deploying solar arrays
- Remote monitoring & controls (IOT unit with on-board Wi-Fi connectivity)
- Battery bank (can run up to 5 days on a single charge without sun)
- Cooler Temp: 35°F to 38°F
- 800 cubic feet of cooler space
Safety & Rescue Training - LiUNA Confined Space Training Unit
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) is an American and Canadian labor union. LiUNA’s Local 837 chapter out of Ontario, Canada, approached our team in early 2021 with the vision of building a mobile confined space training unit out of a shipping container after seeing a similar training unit we built for Sendrex Safety & Rescue. Their vision was to create a unit that they could use to safely train their members in a controlled environment, and that is exactly what we delivered. The unit gives trainers the ability to monitor the trainees via night vision cameras and an exterior mounted monitoring station. With this unit, LiUNA can simulate a confined space and practice rescue operations, best practices, and truly emulate a dangerous environment. The railings, ladder, and deck are designed to be weight-bearing so LiUNA can attach pulleys and different lifting systems throughout the unit, easily allowing them to practice different rescue techniques. LiUNA was thrilled with the final product and we are proud to help our North American union workers stay safe on the job.
Specs & Modifications
- 20’High-cube one-trip shipping container
- Rooftop deck w/ grating
- Detachable powder-coated railings
- Safety ladder
- Night vision cameras and monitoring station
- Lights
- Escape hatches
- Interior blackout paint
- Exterior LIUNA orange paint
Crypto Mining - The CryptoCan
The CryptoCan is our crypto & bitcoin mining shipping container built from a standard 40’HC container. The CryptoCan is a 2MW UL-certified, high-performance container changing the game in the crypto mining industry. The container can house 560 S9 ASIC Miners or 1,120 S17/S19 ASIC Miners (the miners are not included with the purchase of a CryptoCan). The CryptoCan is an extremely popular model and there are currently two a day coming off the production line. These units are designed for serious crypto mining operations utilizing a high-quality unit designed with maximum efficiencies. The CryptoCan’s mobility and scalability offer a unique solution to anyone looking to increase their mining capacity.
Specs & Modifications
- 40’High-cube one-trip shipping container
- Proprietary cooling and racking system
- Integrated switchgear
- All cabling
- Lights & electrical
Last Mile Delivery - Grocery Vessel
As ghost kitchens, last-mile delivery, and similar solutions boomed in popularity during 2021, ROXBOX was able to help our clients design, build, and deploy solutions in the rapidly growing space. Our expertise and wisdom in the modular and mobile vessel space gave our clients the insight and competitive advantage to deploy innovative solutions. For this grocery vessel, we worked with one of our biggest clients to design and build a vessel that is focused on last-mile grocery delivery. When deployed, these units allow our client to service customers in urban communities and deliver their groceries within minutes.
Specs & Modifications
- 20’ Standard one-trip shipping container
- Built-out interior w/ insulation, framing, finished walls
- Lights & electrical
- On-board plumbing system with tanks
- All interior equipment
- Multiple doors
- Exterior paint
Bar & Taproom - Blue Onyx BillyBox
The Blue Onyx BillyBox was a truly special project for the ROXBOX family. On April 2nd, 2021, ROXBOX lost a member of the team to a tragic motorcycle accident – “Wild Bill” Thompson. Billy was a self-made man who embodied the ROXBOX mentality of hard work and quality craftsmanship. Billy, a lead welder and fabricator, was a friend to all in the ROXBOX shop and showed up every day ready to work. In his honor, the ROXBOX team developed the “BillyBox”. The BillyBox is Billy – a badass container bar that has a built-in walk-in cooler for kegs and all of the equipment required per code for a full-service bar.
The BillyBox shown below was the first BillyBox ever built and we were so excited to see the first unit come to fruition in honor of our brother. The BillyBox was designed and built for Blue Onyx Management and is headed to Paterson Beach in Paterson, New Jersey, a beer garden and gathering space opening in Spring 2022!
Specs & Modifications
- 7’ Walk-in Cooler w/ diamond plate floor, Trusscore walls, refrigeration system, electrical and lights
- 8 Tap direct-draw beer system
- Reclaimed wood tap wall
- [2] Service windows with fold-down awnings • Interior and exterior stainless steel bar tops & [1] ADA compliant exterior service counter
- [1] Steel door
- Epoxy floor
- Mobile plumbing system with fresh and grey water tanks + hot water heater
- Electrical & lights
- Equipment for full-service bar including triple-sink, hand-sink, dump sink, liquor wells, ice-machine, merchandiser refrigerator, and shelving
- Exterior & interior paint
- Custom exterior signage and branding
Cannabis - Tycoon Culture Ghost Dispensary
We launched RxBX in 2021, our line of cannabis containers. These containerized solutions are considered a piece of equipment, and can therefore be depreciated as such. For a lower capital investment, ROXBOX’s line of cannabis products allows the cannabis industry to grow and evolve.
The RxBX line provides a fast, cost-effective, socially equitable, sustainable, modular, and innovative line of modified container solutions to fulfill the emerging cannabis opportunities in the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world. These turn-key and compliant modular shipping container structures allow cannabis firms the opportunity to capitalize quickly and carve out market share. ROXBOX also delivers cannabis research modules to help scientists continue studying the cannabis plant and its effects.
Below is an RxBX 20’ ghost dispensary we built for Tycoon Culture in Oklahoma.
Specs & Modifications
- 20′ one-trip container
- Drive-thru & walk-in capabilities
- Secure customer and employee entrances
- ADA compliant purchasing room & customer ramp
- Drive-thru & walk-in service windows
- Bulletproof glass
- Central heating & cooling
- Employee bathroom
- Customizable storage & shelving space
Patio - Odell Brewing Company & The Block Distillery PatioBoxes
Our PatioBox line was created in response to the pandemic to help restaurants and bars in our community continue to serve their customers with an innovative, durable, compliant, safe, and cost-effective outdoor dining solution. We worked hand-in-hand with the City of Denver to develop a compliant space that would withstand Colorado winters. Below we showcase the PatioBoxes we built at cost for Odell Brewing Company and The Block Distillery in the RiNo Art District of Denver, Colorado. What made these two boxes particularly special was not only the opportunity to help out two local businesses stay open and profitable during the pandemic, but we also teamed up with the RiNo Art District to bring in four local Denver artists to paint custom murals on each side. Each artist was given a blank canvas to showcase their unique style and aesthetic. The eye-catching containers have since become a centerpiece on the crowded RiNo Art District streets and popular backdrops for photos!
Specs & Modifications
- (2) 40’High-cube one-trip shipping containers
- Center of units cut-out, units combined and reinforced to create a larger space
- Electrical & lights
- Windows and door
- Temporary outdoor dining space compliant
While 2021 was an incredible year for ROXBOX, this is just the beginning for this team. We have tons of exciting projects and initiatives in the works that we can’t wait to share with everyone in 2022 and beyond!
If you are interested to learn more about our shipping container projects or have any questions for our team, click here to contact us.
Project Spotlight: LiUNA Confined Space Training Unit
Project Background
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) is an American and Canadian labor union. LiUNA’s Local 837 chapter out of Ontario, Canada, approached our team in early 2021 with the vision of building a shipping container confined space training unit after seeing a similar training unit we built for Sendrex Safety & Rescue. Their vision was to create a unit that they could use to safely train their members in a controlled environment, and that is exactly what we delivered. The unit has all of the necessary equipment to effectively train LiUNA members in various skillsets, while also being able to monitor the trainees via night vision cameras and an exterior mounted monitoring station. With this unit, LiUNA can simulate a confined space and practice rescue operations, best practices, and truly emulate a dangerous environment. The railings, ladder, and deck are designed to be weight-bearing so LiUNA can attach pulleys and different lifting systems throughout the unit, easily allowing them to practice different rescue techniques.
LiUNA was thrilled with the final product and we are proud to help our North American union workers stay safe on the job!
We took this project from “napkin-sketch” through our 4 Phase Process – design and analysis in Phase 1, shop drawings in Phase 2, complete build-out at our Denver facility in Phase 3, and delivery to Ontario, Canada, in Phase 4.
Specs & Modifications
- 20’ Standard height (8’6’’H) one-trip shipping container
- Rooftop deck w/ grating
- Detachable powder-coated railings
- Safety ladder
- Night vision cameras and exterior monitoring station
- Interior lights & outlets
- Simple electric system w/ a 110v “standard” outlet plug
- Side escape tube and hatch
- Roof-top escape hatch
- Interior blackout paint
- Exterior LIUNA orange paint
Location
This custom 20’ confined space training unit can be found inside the LiUNA Ontario, Canada, facility.
Timeline
This unit followed our standard Four Phase approach. Phase 1 took about 3 weeks to complete with a focus on meeting the requirements for confined space simulation. In Phase 2, we refined those conceptual drawings to create detailed shop drawings. Since this unit is classified as a mobile unit, we were able to move quickly through Phase 2 as we could bypass the sometimes lengthy process of architecture & engineering stamps, submission, review, redlines, revisions, etc. With the LiUNA approved plans in hand, we jumped into Phase 3 and built out the confined space unit in ~6 weeks at our Denver facility. Delivery in Phase 4 took about 5 days to get from Denver, Colorado to Ontario, Canada.
Project Development
If you are interested in learning more about the LiUNA Confined Space Training unit or any of our other container modifications, click here to contact our team or visit our website for more custom shipping container building inspiration.
Project Spotlight: Bradley's Kitchen at Winter Park Resort
Project Background
Bradley’s Kitchen at Winter Park Resort was one of our coolest and most exciting projects to-date showcasing the endless possibilities for a mobile shipping container commercial kitchen. With a more than 75-year history, Winter Park is Colorado’s longest continually operating ski and mountain adventure resort where guests can experience world-class skiing, stunning views, and pure mountain adventure in this Rocky Mountain oasis. The Winter Park team approached us to help create a mobile, functional, and durable shipping container kitchen that they could move around the resort from season to season. Enter Bradley’s, a 40’ custom mobile shipping container kitchen serving gourmet chicken finger and burger options to excited guests all year long. The mobile kitchen fits perfectly into the Rocky Mountain backdrop and was the ideal solution for the Winter Park team.
We took this project from “napkin-sketch” through our 4 Phase Process – design and analysis in Phase 1, fully approved plans through the AHJ in Phase 2 – including ADA compliance and integration with the site development team, complete build-out at our Denver facility in Phase 3, and delivery in Phase 4.
Specs & Modifications
- 40’ one-trip shipping container
- 300 sq ft of kitchen space
- Electric, lighting and plumbing
- Stainless steel walls and ceiling
- Custom wood interior and exterior countertops including an exterior ADA counter
- Kitchen equipment and appliances (including a refrigerator, deep fryers, ice cream machine, beverage dispenser, kitchen hood w/ Ansul system, condiments counter, hand sink, triple sink, slushie machine, water tanks, stainless steel storage cabinets and shelving)
- Custom sliding glass service windows with retractable container awnings
- Two employee entrance doors including modifying the container door
- Epoxy floors
- Central heating and cooling
- Custom two-sided Bradley’s sign and branding
- Container painted dark gray
- Custom painted mural depicting Winter Park’s history
Location
The mobile shipping container kitchen can be found moving between locations at the base of Winter Park Resort in Winter Park, Colorado. Winter Park is an alpine ski resort in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and is about a ninety-minute drive from Denver. In the summer and fall months, you can find the container kitchen at the base of the gondola serving mountain bikers and hikers. In the winter and early spring months, you can find it at the base of Mary Jane Mountain serving ski-in/ski-out skiers and snowboarders. With delicious food, an eye-catching aesthetic, and a convenient location, Bradley’s has become a staple for Winter Park guests and locals.
Project Timeline
Bradley’s followed our standard 4 Phase approach for a mobile kitchen with a correlating timeline. Phase 1 took about three weeks to complete with a focus on the aesthetic design elements and the kitchen layout. We worked hand-in-hand with Winter Park’s team to move the project through Phase 2 and collaboratively develop comprehensive construction drawings while getting sign-offs from the local AHJ. Since this unit is classified as a mobile unit with on-board water tanks, we were able to move quickly through Phase 2. With approved plans in-hand, we jumped into Phase 3 and built our first 40’ mobile container kitchen in ~12 weeks at our Denver facility (a build that takes us half the time now). Delivery in Phase 4 was a bit tricky given the mountainous region, size and weight of the unit (and the fact that it was snowing sideways during the delivery), but we got the unit installed at the base of Mary Jane Mountain and it was up and running in time for ski season.
Project Development
If you are interested in learning more about Bradley’s Kitchen, our line of custom shipping container and modular kitchens, or any of our other products and builds, click here to contact our team.
Why Shipping Containers and Experiential Marketing are the Perfect Match
"When it comes to experiential marketing activations, there is an endless number of routes a brand can take. In many situations, shipping containers offer the perfect solution due to their functionality, durability, mobility, and aesthetics."
Experiential marketing is an entire channel of marketing that involves any face-to-face or offline efforts to raise brand awareness, create and nurture business opportunities and develop long-term customer loyalty. It is an incredible way to drive more customer engagement at off-line events and stand out by offering a new experience to interact with your brand and business. Unlike traditional or online marketing efforts, experiential marketing engages all five senses, sparking emotions that form lasting memories and delivering much more personal experiences with your brand or business. Experiential marketing brings the consumer on an interactive journey that provokes an emotional response in the person experiencing it. It’s that emotional impact that fosters a positive association with the brand and the willingness of the customer to either return to the brand, promote it to others, or both.
Types of Experiential Marketing
There are many different types of experiential marketing, from a container booth at a tradeshow to a pop-up shop at a festival. The following list includes some of the most popular forms of experiential marketing used by brands and businesses today: event marketing, trade shows, pop-up shops/activations, exclusive experiences, conferences, sponsorships, product samplings, test drives, kiosks, contests, retail installations, in-person surveys, mobile vehicle tours, street teams, in-store experiences, face-to-face marketing, brand activations, guerilla marketing, content generating stunts, immersive experiences, product showcases, and VIP experiences.
Why Build Your Next Experiential Marketing Activation out of Shipping Containers
When it comes to Experiential Marketing activations, there are an endless number of routes a brand can take. In many situations, shipping containers offer the perfect solution due to their functionality, durability, mobility, and aesthetics. Below, we take a closer look at what makes shipping containers the perfect building material for your next experiential marketing activation.
Mobility
Just as a shipping container full of cargo can be shipped almost anywhere in the world, so can a marketing activation built out of a shipping container. Simply load the activation onto the back of a truck or trailer and ship it onto the next festival, event, conference, or tradeshow your business is attending.
Durability
When travelling from event to event, you need a marketing activation that will be able to withstand the constant travel, setup, teardown and customer interactions that come with life on the road. Nothing is more durable than a corten 14 gauge corrugated steel shipping container. Built by some of the most experienced craftsmen in the shipping container space, you can be confident our modified containers will be durable enough to withstand the beating that comes with moving a marketing activation from one location to the next. Unlike flimsy tents or kiosks, our container modifications don’t require the constant repairs and upkeep that come with many marketing activations.
Easy Setup & Teardown
With container modifications, setup and teardown are easy. Depending on how you customize your build, simply fold up and down the doors, stages and awnings and off you go. Save time and energy on setup and teardown and focus more of your efforts on giving your customers the awesome experience they are looking for!
Customizable
Think of a shipping container as a steel box blank canvas. Whatever your vision is for your next experiential marketing activation, we can build it out of containers. With our talented team of designers, engineers, architects, and craftsmen, almost anything is possible when it comes to shipping container modifications. From mobile retail spaces to off-grid solar powered bars, we have the skills and expertise to fully customize a container to exactly what you are looking for.
Modular
Shipping containers come in two sizes, 20 feet and 40 feet, and we build marketing activations out of both options. However, sometimes one container isn’t enough space to truly offer the full experience you are looking to give your customers and audience. Luckily containers are made to be grouped and stacked, and therefore offer unlimited possibility when it comes to design, layout and square footage. Whether you want two containers side by side or five containers in a unique and exciting array, our team will make sure you have more than enough space to wow your customers!
Cost Effective
Experiential Marketing activations can be pricey investments, and with so many options it can be challenging to find what will work best for your brand. Shipping container modifications can make this decision easy, as they are comparable in price to many other marketing activation options, but offer much more functionality, durability, and mobility within these price ranges.
Quick Turnaround
Our talented team of designers, architects, engineers, and craftsmen will work with your team to design and build your activation within any time frame you have. We also take care of the permitting process. The last thing you want is to build and deliver a great concept only to learn that you aren’t legally allowed to activate it. We therefore take the stress of that entire process off your plate and ensure we deliver a compliant, safe activation on time, every time!
Aesthetics
Shipping containers are sure to make your brand stand out at events crowded with tents, booths, and kiosks. Shipping container modifications are cool, eye-catching, exciting and unique, and are sure to draw the attention of anyone in attendance wherever you place it!
User-Generated Content
People love sharing new, cool and exciting content on social media, and nothing is as new, cool and exciting as a shipping container activation. Watch as people take photos and videos of your shipping container modification and share that content all over social media. Nothing beats free marketing!