HOUSTON, TX - On the corner of Hyde Park and Waugh, a long established neighborhood is intersecting with the future. "We wanted to do something that combined sustainability and the community together," said Joey Romano of the Harvest Moon Development Company. Joey Romano doesn't just think outside of the box; he sort of works in one. "This is a 20 foot shipping container. It's your typical container that would come from the port," said Romano, while standing inside his workspace.
His workspace may be a typical container, but it's not the typical sales office for the Mirabeau B. Condominiums at Hyde Park. "We found a way to mount solar panels on top of the container to power the sales center when the sun is out. They also provide energy during business hours," said Andrew Vrana, architect.
Vrana is an adjunct architecture professor at the University of Houston, along with Joe Meppelink. "I think, in the end, it's very practical. We're a net importing country. We have a lot of shipping containers and this is a very good use for them," said Meppelink.
Vrana and Meppelink are working with the university to research and develop green building components. In fact, the most recent power bill for the sales office was negative $193 because they had produced more energy than they had used over the last few months.
While residents won't live in shipping containers, the green theme will be carried over into the condominiums. The common areas of the complex will be powered by solar energy, there will be a planted green roof top for added insulation, and they are planning a rain water retention system for irrigation on the grounds.
Source: khou.com