A 20’ and a 40’ container were transformed into a 50^m^ pavilion-house in Norway in by the architecture firm, MNW in 1995. The housing unit includes a bathroom, kitchen, storage and living areas. Tanks for fresh & dirty water, gas, and solar panels make the housing unit fully functional off the grid. The containers are held up in the air by four columns making this an excellent solution for areas that are prone to flooding or that have uneven terrain.
A central portable staircase much like an airplane's jet-way is used as vertical circulation to enter the unit; the drawback being that the unit is not handicap accessible. The pavilion features balconies and a rooftop terrace giving the user access to outdoor spaces and views. The pavilion can be easily taken apart and stored and shipped inside of the containers making transport of this unit ideal. However, provisions would have to be made to pour the foundations for the four structural columns that hold up the unit. Precast concrete foundations could possibly be poured and then transported within the cargo containers. The unit must also be lifted into place with the use of cranes presenting a drawback for areas where roads and heavy machinery are not accessible.

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