42 shipping containers at the Old Granada Studios, Manchester
The OGS Container Scheme uses 42 six-metre steel shipping containers to create low-cost office space for start-ups and small businesses on the former Granada TV Studios site. Green Horizon was brought in to solve the project's biggest challenge: insulating the containers.
- Project£3m, four-storey container office block
- Main contractorArtez Interiors, Bolton
- Our workClosed cell spray foam to walls & ceilings
The project
The development forms a four-storey block from three rows of 14 containers, set over a steel-framed ground-floor podium. A blockwork core houses lifts to every floor, each level has WC and kitchen facilities, and a floating walkway with staircases at both ends links the offices.
Each new container was craned into position and locked in place. The main contractor, Artez Interiors of Bolton, found the structure straightforward – but reaching the required thermal values inside steel boxes was another matter.
Our solution
Artez brought in Green Horizon, and Matt Lawford of Green Horizon specified a closed cell spray foam system, applied directly to the inside of each container.
- Steel studwork first – each container was lined with 75mm galvanised steel studwork to the walls and ceiling, and the electrical services installed
- Sprayed in place – the foam fully encapsulated the studwork and bonded to the contours of the corrugated container shell, leaving no cold gaps where condensation could form
- Finished by others – a vapour barrier and plasterboard were then fitted, giving a self-contained compartment and a decorative internal finish
Work on the scheme began in August 2022, with completion scheduled for February 2023.
“…It was extremely quick to install, it gave us the thermal values we needed and it maximised internal work-space – a great solution all around.”
As featured in Architecture Today
The OGS Container Scheme and our insulation work were featured in Architecture Today magazine.
This project was completed in 2022–23 using the closed cell product we installed at the time. Today our closed cell foam is UltraTite, supplied by Elastochem – see closed cell spray foam.
Planning a container or commercial project?
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- Phone0161 427 0772
- Emailinfo@greenhorizonenergy.co.uk
- AddressUnit 2 The Goyt Mill, Marple, Stockport SK6 7HX