Art Center College of Design – Containers

Pasadena, CA

The container exhibit, an arrangement of six freight containers in the North Courtyard of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California exemplifies functional art, with the pieces housing a coffee shop, HVAC equipment, and storage space for art center students.

The poor soils at the site presented a challenge for the engineering of all portions of the Art Center project. Caissons were used for new loads in the existing building, but the courtyard soil was full of services crossing between the buildings on either side. The courtyard project was brought within budget by working with the geotechnical engineer to develop new criteria for the courtyard and designing a mat footing to support the portions of reinforced containers with shallow anchors.

Architect: Kevin Daly Architects