So as I've mentioned a few times, one of my best friends is co-owner of a construction company called Numen Development that uses shipping containers as the basis for their structures.

Three months ago, they got a commission from Apama Mackey to design and build the new Mackey Gallery.

Today, the shipping containers will be delivered and installed to the new site of the 1400 square foot gallery, and you can see for yourself what this form of construction looks like. They started this morning with merely a few spread footings and grade beams and they'll finish this evening with all the containers set and a good portion (if not all) of the roof in place. By Friday, there will be a completely secured, weatherproof building where there is NOTHING right now! I've seen them as they've been built out at the Numen warehouse, and they're pretty damned awesome. The gallery will be at 628 East 11th Street in the Heights, right next to Berryhill.

• From conception of the idea in March, it has been three short months to a nearly final product!
  
• The Mackey Gallery is built to be moved and reassembled with less than 5% waste. The land is owned by a developer who has intentions for the land, but will not begin construction for several years. The ultimate win-win situation is created. The developer secures a land lease and culturally enhances his neighborhood while Apama gains precious time to find and secure the perfect piece of land for her long term location.
  
• Three recycled shipping containers: Two 40ft high cubes (9’6” tall) & one 20ft std. (8’ 6” tall)
  
• Custom panelized roof and floor system utilizing Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs are extremely energy efficient and virtually eliminate the need for traditional framing while dramatically reducing waste and build time.)
  
• Clerestory panels and office windows made from Polygal. (An insulated polycarbonate that is more energy efficient than glass, yet less expensive and more secure.)
  
• All of the containers in the projects were modified at a low cost in the Numen warehouse in the Eastwood Neighborhood
  
• The job site for the Gallery will need NO dumpsters because the building process has so little waste.
  
• Even the parking lot will be made of Permeable Paving squares which are green, and reusable.

I'm headed over there to see the containers as they're being set over lunch, and I suspect that I'll be over there a lot over the next few days to see how progress is going.

I cannot stress how absolutely cool this building is going to be, and I'm so happy for Katie that this dream she's been working on for the last two years is coming true today.

numen: /nu-men/
1. A presiding divinity or spirit of a place
2. Creative energy; genius

Tags: art, home improvement