Waldorf News

Waldorf School of Orange County Dedicates Building Made from 32 Recycled Shipping Containers

COSTA MESA, Calif — Assembling containers that have journeyed across oceans and seas, architects and builders in Orange County are reimagining the future of classroom, office and residential construction by using shipping containers. What at first glance might seem a bizarre way to construct a school building (especially if you’ve ever been in a shipping container) has actually turned out to be a great success and has the students, teachers and parents thrilled to occupy their new “digs.”

The Waldorf School of Orange County dedicated its new “container” school building on September 23 and is the first school in the country to recycle shipping containers into classrooms. The Waldorf School used 32 modified shipping containers to expand its campus, adding four classrooms, an art studio, a life-science lab, offices and an auditorium. The building is primarily for the use of the high school and the containers were pre-constructed off-site including the interior framing and electrical components, and then transported and set up at the school. The project, which started in February of this year, had a budget of $2.1 million and has added 10,000 square feet of classroom and multi-use space in four free-standing, permanent buildings, including a two-story auditorium. It was only 99 days from start to finish.

The project, which was awarded with the city’s Green Design Award, boasts other eco-friendly features, such as drought-tolerant landscaping and recycled materials on boardwalks and hardscaping. The project was significantly less expensive than traditional “bricks and mortar” construction would have been.

“We may have to remind people that these classrooms were once shipping containers,” Denise Ogawa, development director for the school, said. “The transformation is so incredible. As you walk through these rooms, it is quite easy to forget these vessels have traveled the world.” “This is truly an exciting milestone in the life of our school,” added school Administrator Gina Illes. “Many dedicated volunteers have spent thousands of hours working on providing an optimum environment for our students.”

Congratulations and best wishes for many years of happiness and joy in your new building.

The video below compresses the 99 days into less than a minute.