The 3 Best Build Strategies for Your Shipping Container Project
When working with ROXBOX on a modular shipping container project, we offer three pathways to choose from: ROXBOX Models, Custom Projects, and Shells. Each path offers its own advantages and we work with our clients to help them choose which option fits their concept and vision best. In this blog we cover all three pathways in detail, covering the pros & cons, timelines, and costs of each option.
ROXBOX Models
ROXBOX Models are different base models that we have spent years refining and optimizing. By choosing one of our ROXBOX models, you are greatly reducing the time and cost of your project, especially from a pre-construction standpoint as all of the conceptual designs are already completed. Models have various add-ons and upgrades that you can choose from (such as a rooftop deck or various finish options) and can be painted/branded to whatever your preference is to truly make the build your own and match your brand. ROXBOX models are great for single-unit builds or “Container Park” concepts with multiple single units at a site.
While we are always expanding our offerings of ROXBOX models, our current modified shipping container models consist of bars, cafes, kitchens, retail, concession stands, stages, and experiential marketing units.
You can learn more about each of these models on our Models page here.
ROXBOX Models Pros & Cons
Pros
- Proven designs and builds: We have spent years refining and optimizing these designs, so you can be confident that you are getting a functional and durable model.
- Fast Project Timelines: Since all of our model designs are already completed, we are able to skip most of Phase 1 (Design & Planning). Depending on if your project is mobile or permanent, we are also able to greatly reduce the amount of time we spend in Phase 2 (Construction Documents). We are therefore able to jump into Phase 3 (Production & Construction) much quicker than a custom build.
- Relatively cheaper: By skipping Phase 1 (and the associated cost), the total cost of the project becomes instantly cheaper. In addition, we have designed our models to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible while still meeting requirements for code compliance and the intended use-case of each model. Additionally, we have built numerous of these units utilizing proven and known techniques, materials, and designs, so the actual cost to build a model is relatively cheaper given the manufacturing efficiencies.
- Customizations Through Add-Ons: Make any one of our models your own unique unit by adding your own special touches through add-ons such as: signage/branding, different paint colors or a mural, a rooftop deck, etc.
Cons
- Set Designs: With ROXBOX models you are confined to the designs on our Models page. While there are various add-ons and upgrades that you can choose from and the unit can be painted/branded to whatever your preference is, any structural or design changes will result in a custom project (see next section Custom Projects for more details).
- Not entirely “off-the-shelf”: In order for your business to operate legally, each project deserves attention towards code compliance. While our model designs reduce the time and cost for pre-construction, there will still be some costs and time for pre-construction for your project. If the unit is classified as mobile/temporary and architecture and engineering are not required, the pre-construction timeline and cost for ROXBOX models are extremely small.
Who Should Choose a ROXBOX Model?
ROXBOX models are perfect for people who need a unit fast, cheap, and high-quality. We continuously refine our models based on our experience and each model is the ideal unit for its intended use case.
ROXBOX Model Examples:
Custom Projects
Custom projects allow our customers to bring their specific visions to life. With custom projects, we work with your team to design and build your concept from scratch, bringing a napkin sketch to reality. While this pathway adds time and cost to a project, it enables our clients to build a structure that perfectly fits their brand and vision. The main limiting factors of a fully custom project are timeline, budget, imagination, and code compliance. Therefore, custom projects are great for people that have a long timeline and ample budget to design a concept from scratch – whether that be a single unit or multiple units.
Custom Projects Pros & Cons
Pros
- Your Vision: With custom projects, you can truly bring your wildest visions to life (as long as the concept meets code). Work with our talented team of designers to design a project (whether it’s one container or 100) that perfectly fits your needs and goals. No matter what you’re envisioning, partnering with ROXBOX ensures your project will be built to the highest quality by a team that understands ALL the nuances, codes, and hurdles that go into building with shipping containers.
- Innovative: Custom projects allow you to design a truly unique container project that has never been done before. Perhaps you want to build an iconic and innovative structure utilizing shipping containers to emphasize truly sustainable development while capturing the efficiencies gained from modular construction methodologies, or perhaps you have an innovative product that is designed to be containerized and you need us to refine the design and act as a contract manufacturer to produce hundreds of units at scale. The possibilities are truly endless with container modification projects!
Cons
- Expensive: Since we are designing custom projects from scratch, there will be higher costs in Phase 1 (Design & Planning), Phase 2 (Construction Documents), and Phase 3 (Construction & Production) than a predesigned model.
- Longer Project Timeline: Custom projects have longer project timelines since we are designing the product from scratch, need to submit the custom designs through all of the necessary approval and inspection processes, and since we often are building something for the first time there will be added manufacturing costs for R&D.
Who Should Choose a ROXBOX Custom Project?
Custom projects are great for people that have a healthy budget, ample time, and want to build a project that matches their vision. As a design + build firm we work with many firms and people to bring their custom concepts to life and we love tackling innovative projects, especially at scale.
ROXBOX Custom Project Examples:
Shells
By choosing a shell, ROXBOX simply provides the modified container(s) with doors, windows, framing, insulation under the floors, and exterior paint while your team and/or a local General Contractor finishes out the project on-site and coordinates all on-site inspections. “Shells” are our least expensive and fastest option but are also our most limited as far as scope. You should therefore be prepared to do some serious construction work on site. We still typically handle pre-construction Phase 1 (Design & Planning) & Phase 2 (Construction Documents) to design the unit(s) and produce a stamped Construction Drawing set. You can also provide the approved drawings yourselves and we would skip right to the shop drawings based on the plans you provide. For the shell pathway, we often work with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), aka your local building department (instead of the State Modular program) when it comes to plan review, inspections, etc.
Whereas ROXBOX models and custom projects will arrive on-site essentially turn-key and have already been fully inspected at our facility by approved 3rd-party inspection agencies, shells are limited to modifying the unit to the point of the first inspection (ie. modified container, doors, windows, spray-foam underneath the floors, framing, and exterior paint). Once the shell(s) arrive, a licensed General Contractor takes over and finishes the build-out on-site with correlating inspections. Therefore, your all-in costs for the unit will be similar in the end but this pathway is seen as a more traditional construction pathway.
Shell Option Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheap: Lower cost as you are only paying for the modified container(s) with doors, windows, framing, insulation under the floors, and exterior paint.
- Fast Project Timeline: ROXBOX can turn around shell projects extremely fast, as we are only responsible for the basic container modifications.
Cons
- DIY Project: You and your team are responsible for all of the finish work on site and all necessary inspections. This typically includes rough and final electrical, rough and final plumbing, insulation, finished walls/ceiling/floor, equipment, lights, HVAC, etc.
- No warranty: Since these units will be worked on and finished by others, we cannot offer a warranty. ROXBOX always builds to IBC code and we pride ourselves on our craftsmanship but we cannot be responsible for other people’s work.
Who Should Choose the Shell Option?
Shells are perfect for those that have a construction background (or are working with a team that has construction experience) and are comfortable with construction, inspections, etc.
*Important to Note – Watching YouTube videos or HGTV shows does not count as having construction experience and you will most likely spend a lot of time and money learning why most people hire professionals. DIY projects based on these viral videos rarely go according to plan and we are often called back to help.
ROXBOX Shell Examples:
ROXBOX built and delivered this shell to Mobile Television Group (MTVG) in Denver, Colorado
MTVG completed all of the finish work shown below in their own facility
ROXBOX built and delivered this shell to Round Barn Estate in Baroda, Michigan
Round Barn Estate completed all of the finish work on-site in collaboration with a local general contractor
Takeaway
As you can see, there are several ways to approach your particle shipping container project and each pathway has its pros and cons. Irrespective of what path you choose, we highly recommend getting our firm engaged in pre-construction Phases 1 & 2 as soon as possible as those phases can take months depending on what your building department requires (it also never hurts to get pre-construction out of the way early). Building a structure legally takes considerable expertise, time, and commitment – which are not often shown on HGTV or other viral shipping container modification videos. No matter what path you choose or which firm you decide to work with on your container project, do your due diligence and ensure you are following the law or you may wind up with a giant (and expensive) paperweight. Our three different paths are designed to give you different options that align with your budget, timeline, expertise, and goals.
Whether you know which pathway you are interested in or if you are interested in learning more about each option, the first step for any project is to contact us and speak with our team of experts about your concept and vision. Based on an initial conversation, our team will be able to offer you valuable insights into your project and point you in the right direction. Reach out to our team here and let’s chat about which path is best for your project!
Project Spotlight: Aspen Grove Center 20’ Container Bar (BeerCan Heavy)
Project Background
Aspen Grove Center, a popular outdoor mall outside Denver Colorado, approached ROXBOX with the goal of building a modular shipping container bar for their brand new beer garden. Enter the “BarBox”! Built out of a 20’ upcycled shipping container, this beautiful BeerCan Heavy serves as the centerpiece to Aspen Grove’s beer garden “The BarBox Garden” and is run by one of Colorado’s most iconic breweries, Breckenridge Brewery. With three service windows, a 10-tap draft system, and a walk-in cooler that can hold upwards of 20 kegs, the BarBox will be cranking out drinks all year long to beer garden guests. With a three-tone paint job, custom vinyl wrapping, and an Edison bulb-lit “BarBox” sign on top, the BarBox is truly a unique modular amenity to the complex that catches the attention of all patrons (and has become a popular feature on social media).
The mobile/temporary classified BarBox serves as a shining example of the benefits of choosing a ROXBOX product. With a faster turnaround time and cheaper price tag than a custom bar design, the BeerCan Heavy is one of our most popular shipping container bars and one of the fastest products we can build. With multiple revenue-generating windows and a built-in walk-in cooler, the modular BeerCan Heavy is designed to crank out drinks fast. Efficient, strong ROI, durable and eye-catching – this turnkey shipping container bar generates tons of revenue and is always the talk of the town. You can learn more about the BeerCan Heavy and our other modified modular shipping container products here (ROXBOX Product Menu).
Specs & Modifications
Project specs and modifications include:
- 20′ ST – New / One Trip shipping container
- 7’W x 7’L Walk-in cooler w/ Trusscore walls & ceiling and diamond plate floor
- Standard personnel door
- (3) Awning windows
- (3) Interior fixed stainless steel countertops
- (3) Exterior collapsible stainless steel counters w/ LEDs
- Basic electrical with: 2 cage lights in service area, vapor tight light in walk-in cooler, outlets & a 50A panel w/ SO cord
- 10-tap draft system
- Reclaimed wood tap wall
- Epoxy floor in the 8’ x 12’ service area
- Interior service area painted burnt orange and off-white
- Exterior painted sky blue & white
- Custom vinyl graphic & signage
- Mounted TV, heater, and fans
- Exterior signage, speakers, beer gas cage, and sconces
- Self-contained hand-washing sink and merchandiser refrigerator in the service area
Location
The 20’ BeerCan Heavy can be found at Aspen Grove Center in Littleton, Colorado. Aspen Grove is an outdoor mall with mountain views and is home to over 50 retail stores. The container bar can be found at the shopping complex’s brand new BarBox Beer Garden. With over an acre of grass and tons of parking, the beer garden is perfect for events, festivals, parties, concerts and hangouts with friends and family!
Timeline
Click here to review ROXBOX’s Four-Step Phase Process
Since the Aspen Grove team chose a standard, predesigned ROXBOX product (while also including add-ons that made the unit their own and match the Breckenridge Brewing aesthetic), we were able to move through all of re-construction Phase 1 (Design & Planning) + Phase 2 (Construction Documents) within weeks. Phase 3 (Construction & Production) of this BeerCan Heavy unit took just under 5 weeks. Since Aspen Grove Center is just down the road from ROXBOX’s facility in Denver, Phase 4 (Delivery and Installation) only took a few hours. Aspen Grove was then able to immediately open the beer garden that week and begin capturing revenue!
Client Testimonial
Josh Kalkhorst – General Manager at Gerrity Group
“This journey with ROXBOX, from the day we met Davin at the shop to see the facility to the day our container bar was dropped, was really impressive. They helped us define our vision for this container and then brought it to life in ways we couldn’t have expected. Their excitement and enthusiasm for our project was next level and that’s what made this partnership and our experience so much fun!”
Project Development
Phase 1 (Design & Planning) + Phase 2 (Construction Documents)
Early on design with rooftop deck
Final design
Phase 3 (Construction + Production) of the BeerCan Heavy in ROXBOX's Denver facility
Phase 4 (Delivery + Installation)
Finished build on site
(Vinyl wrapping, signage, and branding were added on site)
Before and After slider
Video tours of the unit from ROXBOX's social media accounts
Next time you’re in Denver, make sure to stop by Aspen Grove Center in Littleton, Colorado to check out this BeerCan Heavy for yourself! If you are interested to learn more about the Aspen Grove BeerCan or any of our other container modification projects, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
Project Spotlight: Coca-Cola Mobile BoomBox
Project Background
The Coca-Cola BoomBox was one of our coolest projects to date and we could not have been happier with how it turned out! The entire ROXBOX team came together to design & build this incredible shipping container marketing unit extremely fast without compromising our high-quality standards.
Coca-Cola approached us with a blank slate and told us to do what we do best, create an exciting and innovative mobile experiential marketing activation out of a 20’ shipping container that they could tour throughout the country. The only criteria we were given were to make sure the project would have a focus on music & sustainability and offer guests an interactive experience. With this direction, the fun part began. After multiple brainstorming sessions with the ROXBOX team, we created a conceptual design for a solar-powered mobile boombox and presented it to the Coke team…
Enter the Coca-Cola BoomBox! This giant solar-powered boombox is built out of an upcycled 20′ shipping container and transforms into an interactive marketing experience at each location it stops. The underlying concept of the project focuses on bringing music to different communities and events, all while giving people the opportunity to learn how to DJ on high-end DJ equipment and highlighting the central Coca-Cola ethos of sustainability.
Key features of the BoomBox include: an interactive DJ experience where guests can learn to DJ, sound-activated LEDs, speakers that bump, a VIP rooftop deck, interchangeable graphics for different Coca-Cola brands and marketing initiatives, and the ability to easily open up and close down at each event (this unit is a true transformer)!
The BoomBox brings the party and is the focal point wherever it goes… And since it’s fully solar-powered, it can go anywhere!
Specs & Modifications
- 20′ One-trip shipping container
- Roof-top deck with collapsible railings
- Custom 3D boom box elements: speakers, light-up equalizer, buttons, and a custom vinyl wrap
- Sound-activated LED lights
- Interactive DJ experience with DJ booth and high-end DJ equipment
- Numerous speakers and subs
- “Selfie room” with custom neon signs & green walls
- Interchangeable SEG graphics allow for different brands to “skin”/brand the unit
- Custom stairs and flooring
- Lighting, electrical, solar, and actuator systems – all with redundancies
- Interior and exterior black paint
- Removable railings, stairs, and walls
- Mechanical room w/ employee door
- (2) Awnings on actuators with solar-panels
- (2) fold-down decks
- 100% solar-powered with six (6) solar panels
- (3) massive batteries (the unit can run for an entire day on a full charge without the sun)
- Custom trailer that makes the unit easily moveable
Location
Fortunately, the first couple stops for the BoomBox were right in our backyard for some incredible concerts at one of the world’s most iconic music venues – Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre.
Currently, the BoomBox can be found traveling the country on the Coca-Cola BoomBox Tour, where it will stop at events, concerts, festivals, parties, and sporting events along the way. The BoomBox’s first tour will be a full west coast tour, making appearances in Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Be sure to check out the hashtag #cocacolaboomboxtour on all social media platforms to see where the unit currently is and where it is headed. Who knows, maybe it will pop up in your hometown next!
In regards to where the BoomBox is able to operate, the answer is simple… anywhere! Since the unit is fully solar-powered, there are no limitations to where the BoomBox can go.
Coca-Cola BoomBox at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado
Timeline
The timeline on this project was VERY aggressive. We spent about a month in pre-construction refining the design with the Coca-Cola team and creating detailed shop drawings. We only had ~7 weeks to build the unit (along with numerous other projects we had in production) in order to have it ready for multiple dates at Red Rocks and the start of the 2022 BoomBox Tour.
The ROXBOX team really came together to build this incredible shipping container experiential marketing unit in record time!
Project Development
Coca-Cola BoomBox conceptual renderings
Work in progress photos of the Coca-Cola BoomBox in ROXBOX's Denver facility
Completed project photos
If you are interested to learn more about the Coca-Cola BoomBox or any of our other container modification projects, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
Project Spotlight: Nokian Tyres Experiential Marketing Activation
Project Background
Nokian Tyres produces world-class tires for cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment. Known for its winter tire collection, Nokian is the only tire manufacturer with its own permanent winter tire testing facility in the world. Every year, the Nokian North American marketing team travels to ski resorts across the United States and Canada showcasing these high-end winter tires to winter sport enthusiasts. Having used pop-up tents in past years, the Nokian team wanted to take their roadshow display to the next level. However, this would be no easy task, as the activation would have to be both functional in cold and snowy environments and durable enough to withstand the harsh winter conditions while activated at ski resorts and while being transported all over the continent.
Having seen and been inspired by the experiential marketing activation we built for Adidas Golf, the Nokian Tyres marketing team reached out to ROXBOX with the goal of emulating that design for their own experiential marketing needs. As a company that prides itself on sustainability, safety, and eco-friendliness across the entire life cycle of their products, partnering with ROXBOX and up-cycling a shipping container for their next big experiential marketing project fit Nokian’s values and culture perfectly.
Enter “Roxanne”, this one-of-a-kind container activation – a 20’ one-trip shipping container modified into a truly badass experiential marketing activation that the Nokian team will be able to use for years to come. As highlighted below in the specs & modifications section, the unit has all of the customizations and equipment the team needs to successfully showcase their tires at ski resorts, trade shows, and events across the country. From two fold-down stages and a collapsible rooftop deck to a custom trailer and Nokian signage/branding, the unit is a true transformer that is sure to draw crowds and stand out in a field of pop-up tents. The wooden cladding on the back and interior wall of the unit even matches Nokian’s U.S. headquarters (shown in the Specs & Modifications section below)!
Specs & Modifications
- Rooftop deck w/ collapsible railings
- Push-button fold-down side and end-cap decks w/ detachable railings
- Electrical, lights, TV, heaters, and fans
- Credenza and flooring
- Two-tone paint job to match Nokian’s brand colors
- Custom signage & branding
- Cladding (interior & exterior) to match their U.S. Headquarters facade
- Custom trailer w/ a custom skirt to hide the trailer once activated
- Stairs for side decks and the rooftop deck
- A true transformer – folds up for transport and opens up when deployed at any location
The unit's interior & exterior cladding matches the facade of Nokian's North American headquarters
Location
The activation is traveling with the Nokian Tyres North America roadshow team to ski resorts, events, and trade shows throughout the country. The activation first stopped at Killington Ski Resort in Killington, Vermont in December 2021 for the Homelight Killington Cup (the FIS Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup. The activation then stopped at Copper Mountain Colorado in late January for Copper’s annual Nokian Safety Fest. The unit was parked at the base of Copper Mountain’s main chair lift, where the Nokian team taught skiers and snowboarders about tire safety and showcased their world-class winter tires (two lucky winners even went home with a brand new set of winter tires that weekend). “Roxanne” is now headed to Mount Bachelor in Oregon and Snowbird Resort in Utah!
Nokian Tyres at Copper Mountain's annual Safety Fest
Timeline
Phase 1 (Design + Planning) for this project took about 3 weeks since the design is based on our “standard” 20’ experiential model. We worked collaboratively with Nokian to refine the standard model and to integrate their branding while incorporating some add-ons like the rooftop deck, cladding, and two-tone paint. Next we moved into Phase 2 (Shop Drawings + Quote) where we produced detailed shop drawings and the final quote for Nokian’s approval in ~4 weeks. We then dove into Phase 3 (Production + Construction) but encountered some supply chain issues for materials that forced us to adjust on-the-fly in order to meet the project’s timeline – can’t miss the first stop of the event tour! The production of “Roxanne” took ~7 weeks and produced one of the coolest single containers we’ve ever built. For this project, we implemented our Phase 5 (Tour Management & Logistics) to help coordinate delivery, film a set up and tear down instructional video for the Nokian marketing, sent out a team member to train Nokian’s team and help deploy the unit for the first time, and helped coordinate transportation to Copper for the second activation.
Project Development
Nokian Tyres napkin sketch
Nokian Tyres conceptual renderings
Work in progress photos of the unit in ROXBOX's Denver facility
Completed project photos
If you are interested to learn more about the Nokian Tyres Experiential Marketing activation or any of our other product lines of container modifications, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
Project Spotlight: Detroit Holiday Village Retail Huts
Project Background
Building the Detroit Holiday Village pop-up retail huts was an exciting project for the ROXBOX team. We worked with Groundswell Design Group out of Philadelphia on the fabrication of these units, which were installed in Groundswell’s festive and seasonal community activation. Groundswell is a full-service design firm that specializes in placemaking, hospitality and public space projects and it was an awesome opportunity getting to team up with them on such a special project. Groundswell led the design of the holiday village/retail suites and ROXBOX manufactured the units in our Denver facility and delivered them to Detroit.
The Detroit Holiday Village is an annual holiday experience set up by Bedrock Detroit and the Rocket Community Fund and is in its fifth consecutive year spearheaded by Groundswell Design Group. To welcome in the winter season and bring the holiday spirit to the city of Detroit, Bedrock/RCF had Groundswell Design Group set up a winter wonderland in Cadillac Square in the city’s center during the holiday season. The village consists of an outdoor marketplace featuring a variety of local Detroit retailers. As part of Bedrock and the Quicken Loans Community Fund’s mission to support the local entrepreneurial community, each business featured in the holiday market is Detroit-based, female-owned or minority-owned. Merchandise ranging from locally inspired streetwear and artwork to delicious treats and Michigan staple dishes provides all attendees a sampling of Detroit’s unique culture.
The pop-up retail units we were commissioned to build for the annual market serve as the centerpiece in the village. In past years the retail suites were built from greenhouses, but Groundswell wanted to take their design a step further this year and really wow both the guests and business owners while creating an iconic community space in the heart of Detroit.
For this project, we opted to build steel-framed modular units from the ground up vs. upcycling shipping containers which led to some issues that we eagerly resolved. From difficulties in the supply chain, to difficulties on site – the ROXBOX team had numerous hurdles that we worked nights and weekends to navigate… When our team commits to a job and a timeline, we deliver. In the end, this project presented the ROXBOX team with many challenges that we had to overcome and we are thrilled with the final result!
The units will also be re-deployed yearly with different activations and use-cases outside the holiday market (ie. co-working spaces, farmer’s markets, small-business incubation hubs, etc).
Specs & Modifications
- (4) 40’L x 10’W, (2) 20’L x 10’W, (2) 10’L x 10’W custom-built steel-framed modular structures with a custom wall panel system, demising walls, sloped roof, and transom windows.
- Custom glass storefront windows
- Custom glass dutch-doors
- Built-out interior w/ framing, insulation, and finished Baltic birch walls
- Electrical & lights
- HVAC with heating
- High-end vinyl flooring
- Black exterior paint and exterior wood cladding
Each 40’ structure is divided into 3 retail spaces, the 20’ units house 2 retail spaces, and the 10’ units are used for admin spaces and hot cocoa + pre-packaged food.
Location
The Detroit Holiday Village is located in Cadillac Square in Detroit’s city center. Surrounded by some of Detroit’s most iconic buildings and located across the street from the city’s 50 foot tall Christmas tree and ice skating rink, the downtown village is the perfect holiday activity for people of all ages!
Timeline
Since Groundswell led the design and permitting of the project, we were able to skip Phase 1 (Planning + Design) for these temporary/mobile structures. We worked collaboratively with Groundswell to refine their drawings and produce detailed shop drawings in Phase 2 for client and permit approval. We then jumped right to Phase 3 (Production + Construction) in order to meet the project’s aggressive timeline – the holidays don’t wait for anyone! The production of the units took 9 weeks and pushed our team to the limit. ROXBOX coordinated delivery which required oversized load permits and coordination with the city to shut down roads in downtown Detroit, in conjunction with offloading via a crane to place the units in Cadillac Square.
Project Development
Construction of the retail huts in ROXBOX's Denver facility
Delivery & installation
Completed project photos
Next time you’re in Detroit during the holidays, make sure to swing by our custom-built units and support local businesses.
If you are interested in learning more about the Detroit Holiday Village retail huts or any of our other product lines of container modifications, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
ROXBOX 2021 Project Showcase
2021 was a truly transformative year for ROXBOX. We quadrupled the size of our team, moved from a 5,000 sq. ft. facility to our 35,000 sq. ft. home in Denver, greatly expanded our product offerings (including, but limited to, Experiential Marketing, Kitchen, Bar & Taproom, Quick Service Restaurant, HELIOS Solar, Last Mile Delivery, Crypto Mining, Healthcare, Cannabis, Office, Safety & Rescue Training, and Patio), and completed numerous projects for amazing clients. In recognition of the incredible year we had, we wanted to showcase ten projects we completed in 2021 that epitomize the ROXBOX design + build methodology.
Experiential Marketing - Nokian Tyres Experiential Marketing Activation
The Nokian Tyres North American Marketing team approached ROXBOX with the vision of using a shipping container to take their experiential marketing to the next level and highlight their focus on sustainability. The mobile 20′ unit will be touring with the Nokian Tyres team from event to trade show showcasing their world-class tires and flexing all over pop-up tents coast-to-coast. First stop for the activation was Killington Ski Resort in early December 2021 and next stop is Copper Mountain in Colorado in February 2022!
Specs & Modifications
- 20’ Standard one-trip shipping container
- Rooftop deck w/ collapsible railings
- Push-button fold-down side and end-cap decks w/ detachable railings
- Electrical, lights, TV, heaters, and fans
- Credenza and flooring
- Two-tone paint job
- Custom signage & branding
- Cladding to match their U.S. Headquarters
- Custom trailer w/ a custom skirt
- Stairs for side decks and rooftop deck
- A true transformer – folds up for transport and opens up when deployed at any location
Bar & Taproom - Left Hand Brewing Company 40' BeerCan
Left Handing Brewing Company is one of the most iconic craft breweries in the country (and happens to be 40 minutes down the road from our ROXBOX headquarters), so we could not have been more excited when their team approached us about creating a custom shipping container bar concept for their new beer garden. From the get go, Left Hand knew what they wanted, an eye-catching, durable centerpiece to their new space that could serve their famous craft beers and beverages all year long. Enter Big Red, a 40 foot shipping container bar (aka the “BeerCan”) with all of the functionality and equipment of a full taproom.
Specs & Modifications
- 40’ High-Cube one-trip shipping container
- Walk-in cooler that holds 20+ kegs
- Custom pipe tap system w/ 6 taps
- Electrical & lights
- Left Hand light-up signage & interior and exterior paint
- Three customer windows with awnings (One ADA compliant)
- Custom back bar equipment and cabinets
- Numerous other custom details
Patio - Price Development Group PatioBox
Our custom container patio bar for Price Development Group (PDG) was an exciting and unique project for our team and showcased the possibilities for a container amenity at a residential or commercial development. PDG approached our team to help create a functional, durable and eye-catching patio bar for the open-air beer garden at their new apartment complex development in downtown Denver. Enter this “rusted” beauty, an open-air 20’ container bar that fits perfectly into the modern, industrial aesthetic of the complex and serves as a focal point to the entire development. By far our most exciting delivery, this unit was craned over 10 stories up and over the complex in order to place it on the 4th floor of the outdoor beer garden.
Specs & Modifications
- 20′ one-trip, double-door shipping container
- Electric, lighting & plumbing
- Kegerator with a two-tap system
- Hand sink and mini-fridge
- Mounted TV
- Custom rusted finish
- Custom granite countertops and subway tile
- Double-sided bar awning
- Fully ADA compliant
HELIOS Solar - 20' Off-Grid Refrigerator
HELIOS is our line of off-grid, solar infrastructure containers. Our HELIOS units enable us to provide rapidly deployable solutions addressing issues in energy, refrigeration, medical storage and cold-chain. Our products offer a reliable replacement for diesel generators & diesel reefer containers, therefore reducing emissions and allowing individuals, businesses and communities to save significantly on operating and fuel costs. With HELIOS, our goal is to improve the circumstances of individuals, communities and organizations through the development of solar-powered refrigeration and energy technologies which can be rapidly deployed in remote, off-grid and urban environments.
Below is our HELIOS 20’ refrigeration unit. Our HELIOS Solar line now includes solar powered, 100% off-grid refrigerators, freezers, ice makers and generators.
Specs & Modifications (20' HELIOS Refrigerator)
- 20’ High-cube custom one-trip shipping container
- 100% solar-powered refrigerator
- Deploying solar arrays
- Remote monitoring & controls (IOT unit with on-board Wi-Fi connectivity)
- Battery bank (can run up to 5 days on a single charge without sun)
- Cooler Temp: 35°F to 38°F
- 800 cubic feet of cooler space
Safety & Rescue Training - LiUNA Confined Space Training Unit
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) is an American and Canadian labor union. LiUNA’s Local 837 chapter out of Ontario, Canada, approached our team in early 2021 with the vision of building a confined space training unit out of a shipping container after seeing a similar training unit we built for Sendrex Safety & Rescue. Their vision was to create a unit that they could use to safely train their members in a controlled environment, and that is exactly what we delivered. The unit gives trainers the ability to monitor the trainees via night vision cameras and an exterior mounted monitoring station. With this unit, LiUNA can simulate a confined space and practice rescue operations, best practices, and truly emulate a dangerous environment. The railings, ladder, and deck are designed to be weight-bearing so LiUNA can attach pulleys and different lifting systems throughout the unit, easily allowing them to practice different rescue techniques. LiUNA was thrilled with the final product and we are proud to help our North American union workers stay safe on the job.
Specs & Modifications
- 20’High-cube one-trip shipping container
- Rooftop deck w/ grating
- Detachable powder-coated railings
- Safety ladder
- Night vision cameras and monitoring station
- Lights
- Escape hatches
- Interior blackout paint
- Exterior LIUNA orange paint
Crypto Mining - The CryptoCan
The CryptoCan is our crypto mining shipping container built from a standard 40’HC container. The CryptoCan is a 2MW UL-certified, high-performance container changing the game in the crypto mining industry. The container can house 560 S9 ASIC Miners or 1,120 S17/S19 ASIC Miners (the miners are not included with the purchase of a CryptoCan). The CryptoCan is an extremely popular model and there are currently two a day coming off the production line. These units are designed for serious crypto mining operations utilizing a high-quality unit designed with maximum efficiencies. The CryptoCan’s mobility and scalability offer a unique solution to anyone looking to increase their mining capacity.
Specs & Modifications
- 40’High-cube one-trip shipping container
- Proprietary cooling and racking system
- Integrated switchgear
- All cabling
- Lights & electrical
Last Mile Delivery - Grocery Vessel
As ghost kitchens, last-mile delivery, and similar solutions boomed in popularity during 2021, ROXBOX was able to help our clients design, build, and deploy solutions in the rapidly growing space. Our expertise and wisdom in the modular and mobile vessel space gave our clients the insight and competitive advantage to deploy innovative solutions. For this grocery vessel, we worked with one of our biggest clients to design and build a vessel that is focused on last-mile grocery delivery. When deployed, these units allow our client to service customers in urban communities and deliver their groceries within minutes.
Specs & Modifications
- 20’ Standard one-trip shipping container
- Built-out interior w/ insulation, framing, finished walls
- Lights & electrical
- On-board plumbing system with tanks
- All interior equipment
- Multiple doors
- Exterior paint
Bar & Taproom - Blue Onyx BillyBox
The Blue Onyx BillyBox was a truly special project for the ROXBOX family. On April 2nd, 2021, ROXBOX lost a member of the team to a tragic motorcycle accident – “Wild Bill” Thompson. Billy was a self-made man who embodied the ROXBOX mentality of hard work and quality craftsmanship. Billy, a lead welder and fabricator, was a friend to all in the ROXBOX shop and showed up every day ready to work. In his honor, the ROXBOX team developed the “BillyBox”. The BillyBox is Billy – a badass container bar that has a built-in walk-in cooler for kegs and all of the equipment required per code for a full-service bar.
The BillyBox shown below was the first BillyBox ever built and we were so excited to see the first unit come to fruition in honor of our brother. The BillyBox was designed and built for Blue Onyx Management and is headed to Paterson Beach in Paterson, New Jersey, a beer garden and gathering space opening in Spring 2022!
Specs & Modifications
- 7’ Walk-in Cooler w/ diamond plate floor, Trusscore walls, refrigeration system, electrical and lights
- 8 Tap direct-draw beer system
- Reclaimed wood tap wall
- [2] Service windows with fold-down awnings • Interior and exterior stainless steel bar tops & [1] ADA compliant exterior service counter
- [1] Steel door
- Epoxy floor
- Mobile plumbing system with fresh and grey water tanks + hot water heater
- Electrical & lights
- Equipment for full-service bar including triple-sink, hand-sink, dump sink, liquor wells, ice-machine, merchandiser refrigerator, and shelving
- Exterior & interior paint
- Custom exterior signage and branding
Cannabis - Tycoon Culture Ghost Dispensary
We launched RxBX in 2021, our line of cannabis containers. These containerized solutions are considered a piece of equipment, and can therefore be depreciated as such. For a lower capital investment, ROXBOX’s line of cannabis products allows the cannabis industry to grow and evolve.
The RxBX line provides a fast, cost-effective, socially equitable, sustainable, modular, and innovative line of modified container solutions to fulfill the emerging cannabis opportunities in the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world. These turn-key and compliant modular shipping container structures allow cannabis firms the opportunity to capitalize quickly and carve out market share. ROXBOX also delivers cannabis research modules to help scientists continue studying the cannabis plant and its effects.
Below is an RxBX 20’ ghost dispensary we built for Tycoon Culture in Oklahoma.
Specs & Modifications
- 20′ one-trip container
- Drive-thru & walk-in capabilities
- Secure customer and employee entrances
- ADA compliant purchasing room & customer ramp
- Drive-thru & walk-in service windows
- Bulletproof glass
- Central heating & cooling
- Employee bathroom
- Customizable storage & shelving space
Patio - Odell Brewing Company & The Block Distillery PatioBoxes
Our PatioBox line was created in response to the pandemic to help restaurants and bars in our community continue to serve their customers with an innovative, durable, compliant, safe, and cost-effective outdoor dining solution. We worked hand-in-hand with the City of Denver to develop a compliant space that would withstand Colorado winters. Below we showcase the PatioBoxes we built at cost for Odell Brewing Company and The Block Distillery in the RiNo Art District of Denver, Colorado. What made these two boxes particularly special was not only the opportunity to help out two local businesses stay open and profitable during the pandemic, but we also teamed up with the RiNo Art District to bring in four local Denver artists to paint custom murals on each side. Each artist was given a blank canvas to showcase their unique style and aesthetic. The eye-catching containers have since become a centerpiece on the crowded RiNo Art District streets and popular backdrops for photos!
Specs & Modifications
- (2) 40’High-cube one-trip shipping containers
- Center of units cut-out, units combined and reinforced to create a larger space
- Electrical & lights
- Windows and door
- Temporary outdoor dining space compliant
While 2021 was an incredible year for ROXBOX, this is just the beginning for this team. We have tons of exciting projects and initiatives in the works that we can’t wait to share with everyone in 2022 and beyond!
If you are interested to learn more about our shipping container projects or have any questions for our team, click here to contact us or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
Project Spotlight: LiUNA Confined Space Training Unit
Project Background
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) is an American and Canadian labor union. LiUNA’s Local 837 chapter out of Ontario, Canada, approached our team in early 2021 with the vision of building a confined space training unit out of a shipping container after seeing a similar training unit we built for Sendrex Safety & Rescue. Their vision was to create a unit that they could use to safely train their members in a controlled environment, and that is exactly what we delivered. The unit has all of the necessary equipment to effectively train LiUNA members in various skillsets, while also being able to monitor the trainees via night vision cameras and an exterior mounted monitoring station. With this unit, LiUNA can simulate a confined space and practice rescue operations, best practices, and truly emulate a dangerous environment. The railings, ladder, and deck are designed to be weight-bearing so LiUNA can attach pulleys and different lifting systems throughout the unit, easily allowing them to practice different rescue techniques.
LiUNA was thrilled with the final product and we are proud to help our North American union workers stay safe on the job!
We took this project from “napkin-sketch” through our 4 Phase Process – design and analysis in Phase 1, shop drawings in Phase 2, complete build-out at our Denver facility in Phase 3, and delivery to Ontario, Canada, in Phase 4.
Specs & Modifications
- 20’ Standard height (8’6’’H) one-trip shipping container
- Rooftop deck w/ grating
- Detachable powder-coated railings
- Safety ladder
- Night vision cameras and exterior monitoring station
- Interior lights & outlets
- Simple electric system w/ a 110v “standard” outlet plug
- Side escape tube and hatch
- Roof-top escape hatch
- Interior blackout paint
- Exterior LIUNA orange paint
Location
This custom 20’ confined space training unit can be found inside the LiUNA Ontario, Canada, facility.
Timeline
This unit followed our standard Four Phase approach. Phase 1 took about 3 weeks to complete with a focus on meeting the requirements for confined space simulation. In Phase 2, we refined those conceptual drawings to create detailed shop drawings. Since this unit is classified as a mobile unit, we were able to move quickly through Phase 2 as we could bypass the sometimes lengthy process of architecture & engineering stamps, submission, review, redlines, revisions, etc. With the LiUNA approved plans in hand, we jumped into Phase 3 and built out the confined space unit in ~6 weeks at our Denver facility. Delivery in Phase 4 took about 5 days to get from Denver, Colorado to Ontario, Canada.
Project Development
If you are interested in learning more about the LiUNA Confined Space Training unit or any of our other container modifications, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
Project Spotlight: Bradley's Kitchen at Winter Park Resort
Project Background
Bradley’s Kitchen at Winter Park Resort was one of our coolest and most exciting projects to-date showcasing the endless possibilities for a mobile shipping container kitchen. With a more than 75-year history, Winter Park is Colorado’s longest continually operating ski and mountain adventure resort where guests can experience world-class skiing, stunning views, and pure mountain adventure in this Rocky Mountain oasis. The Winter Park team approached us to help create a mobile, functional, and durable shipping container kitchen that they could move around the resort from season to season. Enter Bradley’s, a 40’ custom mobile shipping container kitchen serving gourmet chicken finger and burger options to excited guests all year long. The mobile kitchen fits perfectly into the Rocky Mountain backdrop and was the ideal solution for the Winter Park team.
We took this project from “napkin-sketch” through our 4 Phase Process – design and analysis in Phase 1, fully approved plans through the AHJ in Phase 2 – including ADA compliance and integration with the site development team, complete build-out at our Denver facility in Phase 3, and delivery in Phase 4.
Specs & Modifications
- 40’ one-trip shipping container
- 300 sq ft of kitchen space
- Electric, lighting and plumbing
- Stainless steel walls and ceiling
- Custom wood interior and exterior countertops including an exterior ADA counter
- Kitchen equipment and appliances (including a refrigerator, deep fryers, ice cream machine, beverage dispenser, kitchen hood w/ Ansul system, condiments counter, hand sink, triple sink, slushie machine, water tanks, stainless steel storage cabinets and shelving)
- Custom sliding glass service windows with retractable container awnings
- Two employee entrance doors including modifying the container door
- Epoxy floors
- Central heating and cooling
- Custom two-sided Bradley’s sign and branding
- Container painted dark gray
- Custom painted mural depicting Winter Park’s history
Location
The mobile shipping container kitchen can be found moving between locations at the base of Winter Park Resort in Winter Park, Colorado. Winter Park is an alpine ski resort in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and is about a ninety-minute drive from Denver. In the summer and fall months, you can find the container kitchen at the base of the gondola serving mountain bikers and hikers. In the winter and early spring months, you can find it at the base of Mary Jane Mountain serving ski-in/ski-out skiers and snowboarders. With delicious food, an eye-catching aesthetic, and a convenient location, Bradley’s has become a staple for Winter Park guests and locals.
Project Timeline
Bradley’s followed our standard 4 Phase approach for a mobile kitchen with a correlating timeline. Phase 1 took about three weeks to complete with a focus on the aesthetic design elements and the kitchen layout. We worked hand-in-hand with Winter Park’s team to move the project through Phase 2 and collaboratively develop comprehensive construction drawings while getting sign-offs from the local AHJ. Since this unit is classified as a mobile unit with on-board water tanks, we were able to move quickly through Phase 2. With approved plans in-hand, we jumped into Phase 3 and built our first 40’ mobile container kitchen in ~12 weeks at our Denver facility (a build that takes us half the time now). Delivery in Phase 4 was a bit tricky given the mountainous region, size and weight of the unit (and the fact that it was snowing sideways during the delivery), but we got the unit installed at the base of Mary Jane Mountain and it was up and running in time for ski season.
Project Development
If you are interested in learning more about Bradley’s Kitchen, our line of custom shipping container and modular kitchens, or any of our other products and builds, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
Project Spotlight: Price Development Group Custom Container Patio Bar
Project Background
Our “Rat Rod” custom container patio bar for Price Development Group (PDG) was an exciting and unique project for our team and showcases the possibilities for a container amenity at a residential or commercial development. PDG is a privately owned real estate company that specializes in acquisition and development opportunities with an emphasis on residential, retail and mixed-use projects. PDG approached our team to help create a functional, durable and eye-catching patio bar for the open-air beer garden at their new apartment complex development in downtown Denver. Enter the “Rat Rod” patio bar, a “rusted”, open-air 20’ container bar that fits perfectly into the modern, industrial aesthetic of the complex and serves as a focal point to the entire development.
We took this project from “napkin-sketch” through our four Phase Process (click here to see a detailed infographic of our Phase Process) – design and analysis in Phase 1, fully stamped and approved plans through the AHJ in Phase 2 (including ADA compliance and integration with the site development team), complete build-out at our Denver facility in Phase 3, and delivery + install on-site in Phase 4. The delivery and install of this unit was quite the task – we utilized a large crane to “fly” this unit up and over the apartment complex and into the 4th story courtyard!
Specs & Modifications
- 20’ high-cube double-door one-trip shipping container
- Electric, lighting and plumbing
- Kegerator with dual tap system
- Back bar equipment including mini-fridge, ice-maker, and hand sink
- Custom granite bar countertop, subway tile, and foot rails
- Double-sided awning
- ADA compliant space
- Custom “rat rod” rusted finish – we utilized a special technique to activate the rusting process to the desired point, arrested the rusting process, and put a clear coat to protect and maintain the desired “Rat Rod” look forever.
Location
The custom patio bar can be found at the PDG Design District, a 354-unit Class A multifamily development, located in Denver, Colorado. The patio bar is located on a fourth-floor open air beer garden at the complex along-side cornhole, bocci ball and other amenities for this luxury apartment building. The private beer garden is open year round, with the patio bar serving as the centerpiece of the two acre space. With free beer always on tap, an ice-machine for making drinks, and a built-in TV – this beer garden is sure to be a popular spot for residents.
Timeline
PDG approached us in May of 2020 to bring this concept to their development. We spent several months in pre-construction Phases 1 & 2 to get the exact plan and design dialed in and ensure the unit met all requirements of the Denver Building Department. With approved plans and a green light to proceed from PDG, in the Fall of 2020 we modified the container in weeks and craned the unit into place partially built. Due to the design, structural modifications, and high-end finishes, we coordinated with PDG to complete the unit on-site. As PDG finalized the development, we spent a few final days wrapping up the details on the unit, giving PDG the ability to showcase the patio bar for their Grand Opening in 2021.
Project Development
If you are interested in learning more about the PDG patio bar, our bar & taproom line of shipping containers modifications, or any of our other products and builds, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).
Project Spotlight: Left Hand Brewing Company 40’ Custom Container Bar
Project Background
Left Handing Brewing Company is one of the most iconic craft breweries in the country (and happens to be 40 minutes down the road from our ROXBOX headquarters), so we could not have been more excited when they approached us about creating a custom shipping container bar concept for their new beer garden. From the get go Left Hand knew what they wanted, an eye-catching, durable centerpiece to their new space that could serve their famous craft beers and beverages all year long. Enter Big Red, a 40 foot shipping container bar with all of the functionality and equipment of a full taproom.
We took this project from “napkin-sketch” through our four-phase process (click here to see a detailed infographic of our Phase Process) – design and analysis in Phase 1, fully stamped and approved plans through the modular program in Phase 2, complete build-out at our Denver facility in Phase 3, and delivery + install on-site in Phase 4.
Specs & Modifications
- 40’ High-Cube one-trip container
- 10’ walk-in cooler that holds 20+ kegs
- Cooler entry from the person-door inside the bar and from the container doors outside the bar
- Custom pipe-tap with 8 taps utilizing a glycol system
- Electrical, lights & plumbing
- Person-door employee entry
- Custom signage and branding
- Three customer windows with retractable awnings and stainless steel countertops (one ADA compliant customer window)
- Additional back bar customer window with awning and sliding windows
- Custom back bar equipment, including: two refrigerators, hand sink, cabinets, and stainless countertop
- Certified modular building with the State of Colorado
Location
The custom BeerCan can be found at Left Hand’s brand new beer garden at their headquarters in Longmont, Colorado. The container bar serves as the centerpiece to Left Hand’s three acre beer garden.
Timeline
Left Hand originally reached out to ROXBOX about the project in 2019, but plans were stalled due to the pandemic. The project picked up the pace again in early 2021 with a finish date of early August so the beer garden could open for summer. ROXBOX began designing the container in January 2021, working hand-in-hand with the LeftHand team to create their custom 40’ BeerCan.
In Phase 1, our team outlined and designed every detail of the build, including: exterior color, signage, beer and tap system design and location, window and door placement, location of bar equipment, etc. With design and Phase 1 completed, we took the project into Phase 2 and developed stamped plans to submit to the Colorado modular program. Our team worked with architects and engineers, alongside the State of Colorado, to get stamped and approved plans for the permanent modular structure. Then the fun part – Phase 3 and building out the unit. Once all of the materials were received, it took us 43 days to complete this build (including modular inspections). We delivered the final product and completed a small amount of on-site work in late July 2021, more than enough time for Left Hand’s beer garden grand opening party on August 14th!
Project Development
If you are interested in learning more about the Left Hand BeerCan, our bar & taproom line of shipping containers modifications, or any of our other products and builds, click here to contact our team or visit our website (www.roxboxcontainers.com).