The Benefits of Mounting a Fabric Structure to Shipping Containers

One of the many versatile advantages of a Big Top fabric structure is its ability to be anchored to nearly anything, including gravel, asphalt, ecology blocks, and even shipping containers. Shipping containers, in fact, can provide a wealth of benefits when used as a foundation for our shelters because they:

Cost Less Than Other Options

When considering the costs of installing a concrete foundation, both in terms of materials and the contracting team, shipping containers are a cost-effective alternative. They cost less—some companies already possess a surplus of unused containers—and no outside contractor is required with this type of installation.

Create Additional Height

Unlike some of our competitors, we don’t offer a set range of building sizes. Rather, we customize each shelter to meet the unique needs of our customers. When determining size, we can design a building that reaches 80 feet tall. While this may be plenty of room for most operations, some companies may need more. Stacks of shipping containers are the perfect solution for expanding usable space.

Case Study: S&B Modular Operations

S&B Modular Operations specializes in fabricating pipe racks, metering skids, and other equipment for the oil and gas industry. To meet their expansion needs, Big Top designed a fabric module assembly bay and anchored it to shipping containers stacked three high and seven rows long, adding an impressive 24,000 square feet to their production facility.

Can Be Located Nearly Anywhere

By eliminating the need for a traditional foundation, shipping containers allow our fabric structures to be erected nearly anywhere, a benefit that is particularly valuable to mining and mineral enterprises that need a facility out in the field, as well as companies that serve the marine industry where space may be limited in the dockyard.

Add Interior Rooms for Myriad Uses

Shipping containers add square footage that doesn’t take away from the interior space of the structure itself. The containers can be used as offices, meeting rooms, storage facilities, and much more.

Case Study: NBA Academy Africa

NBA Academy Africa, in partnership with the SEED Project, a non-profit that uses basketball to help youths prepare for a successful future, reached out to Big Top to create a first-class sports facility. We installed the fabric building atop shipping containers that have been repurposed as locker rooms, bathrooms, a weight room, education centers, dormitories, and conference rooms.

Other Benefits of Our Fabric Structures

Big Top’s shelters offer a host of additional benefits. These include:

• Thermal protection – The fabric roof repels 99.95% of harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation, protecting your materials, equipment, and staff, as well as helping to maintain a comfortable interior temperature that is on average 15 degrees cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the outside temperature.
• Energy savings – The fabric roof is translucent and will allow natural sunlight to illuminate your operations without the need for artificial lighting.
• Portability – Your fabric structure from Big Top can be designed for mobility. This means that it can moved around your property with a crane. It can also be disassembled and shipped to another location should your base of operations need to relocate.

For more information about the benefits of Big Top’s fabric structures, and if using shipping containers is the right option for your design, contact us today.