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15 Awesome Cargo Structures Around the World

Cool Cargo Structures
(Photo: Emily Wilson/Downtown Project)

Is cargotecture—the converting of old shipping containers into cool new spaces—the next big movement? We sure think so. With average shelf lives of five years, more than 700,000 containers currently sit abandoned in the U.S. alone, but luckily, some are getting a new lease on life. What started as a minimalist design trend for homes has turned into a worldwide upcycling frenzy. From a new pop-up mall in London’s East End to a traveling art gallery in Mexico City and even an interactive “tree house” in Las Vegas, containerization might be coming to a city near you.

Although you could grovel at their sustainability and eco-friendliness, these Jenga/LEGO-like structures are really just awesome to look at. Shopping centers, restaurants, and museums in stackable structures are taking hold around the world and we’ve rounded up 15 of the most innovative and travel worthy. So next time you need a Starbucks coffee, why not go to an old cargo crate?

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