RBA studio

RBA Studio

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter

RBA STUDIO

Randy Bens Architect

AREA
350 ft²

YEAR
2016

MANUFACTURERS
Herman Miller, Studio Italia design, Flor, Structurlam

OTHER PARTICIPANTS
John Buttery, Intern Architect AIBC, Container West, KBC Developments, Stickle Cabinets, Ennova Structural Engineering

PHOTOGRAPHS
Ema Peter

LOCATION
New Westminster, Canada

Text description provided by architect.

Completed in the winter of 2016, this modified shipping container is our new office. The practice was formed in 2005 to focus on small, well-crafted buildings. 

The interior is lined in birch plywood to impart warmth, and the Douglas Fir desk clear spans 19’ giving us a very flexible working space.

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter

Lifestyle is important to me and my wife, so the decision was made to expand to the back yard rather than to a remote commercial space.

The reaction to the project has been universal in the neighbourhood and from visitors - everyone loves it.

After working in my home office with one staff member for many years, we decided to expand the practice (a little).

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter

The goal was to have the benefits of working from home, while having an independent space for staff, a place to conduct meetings with clients and contractors, and to simply have more room to do our work.

The inherent durability of the steel shell, and the ability to for us to take the structure with us when / if we relocate were two of the biggest benefits.

There is something about small buildings that most people find appealing.

It has turned out to be a pleasant place to work.

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter

The self sufficient building contains a kitchenette, washroom, printer / network cabinet and an open studio space.

The small meeting space can be configured in a number of ways, and the table can join the desk for model making.

We looked at several construction options and settled on an over-sized corten steel shipping container.

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter

The 350 sq.ft. building cantilevers over its new foundation, and pulls all the services from the old 1930’s house that shares the property.

These containers were designed for mining operations and are 40’ long, 11.5’ wide, and 9.5’ high.

Water, sanitary, power, and data were trenched from the house to the base of the building.

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter

The container was fitted out in the supplier’s factory, and arrived on site 95% complete.

 The steel stair has already taken on a full layer of rust after one winter.

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter
RBA Studio
© Ema Peter

The yellow cedar cladding was a city requirement (all shipping containers must be clad).

The window and door are also yellow cedar, and they’ll be left to weather to a grey patina.

RBA Studio
© Ema Peter


RBA Studio
Plan + Sections
RBA Studio
Elevations + Section
RBA Studio
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RBA studio
T +1 778 9321688
RBA studio
525 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5N 1C6, Canada