From project office to resorts – how container houses getting popular | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
July 01, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JULY 01, 2025
From project office to resorts – how container houses getting popular

Infrastructure

Mizanur Rahman Yousuf
16 March, 2024, 02:00 pm
Last modified: 06 October, 2024, 04:58 pm

Related News

  • Police disperse crowd, reinforce ban on rally near Jamuna: DMP
  • Soaring rice price: Speakers call for rationing for the poor
  • Court attaches plots, freezes bank accounts of ex-MP Shikhor's wife
  • Tenure of independent commission on BDR carnage extended again
  • Ex-CEC Nurul Huda confesses to role in controversial 2018 national polls

From project office to resorts – how container houses getting popular

Mizanur Rahman Yousuf
16 March, 2024, 02:00 pm
Last modified: 06 October, 2024, 04:58 pm

The demand for old shipping containers for building makeshift houses has increased in Chattogram and some other parts of the country in recent years for their convenient features.

In a major shift from their traditional use as covered vans, makeshift project offices and staff quarters, and resorts are being built with these used containers.

These iron-made houses are affordable and environmentally-friendly as their construction does not require any brick, sand, rod, cement, wood or bamboo like the concrete or tin-shed buildings.

Moreover, such houses are readymade or can be built in just a week, or be moved from one place to another very easily. Anytime, they can be sold at a good price. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Some eight factories have been set up around Sitakunda and Outer Ring Road in Chattogram city to cash on the rising demand.

A container house is selling between Tk2 lakh to Tk2.5 lakh in the port city depending on quality and design.

On average, about 30 container houses are going to different parts of the country every month from the eight factories.

"Reuse or recycling anything is environmentally friendly. In additiona, building a house with a container saves both construction time and cost," Shayla Sharmin, assistant professor at Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology, told The Business Standard. 

The process of building houses with containers is called modular housing, which is prevalent in many countries of the world. It is possible to easily modify two-story to three-story houses with containers, if necessary, she explained.

"As its beam and structure are made of steel, their strength is also relatively high compared to conventional houses. As this house is made using old containers made of iron, it provides more security during disasters like earthquakes and cyclones," Shayla added.

According to Shayla, these houses are very suitable for Bangladesh especially for small family living, vacation house, resort residential suite, site office and other purposes.

"We are planning to build an eco-resort near Dhaka where the cottages will be made of containers. It will take less time to build them as well. Costs will also be lower, said, Anant Ujjal, a buyer from Dhaka.

Initially, they plan to set up the resort with 10 10 container cottages with bathroom and kitchen facilities.

"After importing goods under different projects, the empty containers are sold through auction. We buy the containers between Tk1 lakh to 1.20 lakh and bring them to the depot," Arup Ratan Chakraborty, owner of a factory, told TBS. 

After that, doors and windows are cut and painted according the design of customers' choice and steel frames are installed inside. Later, the electric wiring is done with heat and fire resistant glass wool insulation.

Finally, the room is prepared by installing melamine boards on the walls, gypsum boards on the ceiling and carpet or floor mats on the floor. Bathroom and kitchen additions are also done on demand, Arup Ratan also informed.

Despite the growing popularity, many people are unable to buy container houses as carrying them into small roads and lanes using huge cranes is a tough job, the seller said. 

Abul Bashar, another factory owner of Chattogram, said, "Once only covered vans were made from old containers. But now, contractors of big projects are our main buyers."

"At the end of the projects, they sell the makeshift houses to us at a good price. But lately many people are buying these to stay in the village," he added.

The eco-friendly, sustainable and cost-effective container houses can become a good solution to rural housing sector, according to the factory owners.

Bangladesh / Infograph / Top News

Container house / Bangladesh / resort / Container

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • File photo of the Padma Bridge. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Evidence of irregularities, graft found in Padma Bridge consultant appointments: ACC chief
  • Police produced former chief election commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda in court today (1 July). Photo: TBS
    Ex-CEC Nurul Huda confesses to role in controversial 2018 national polls
  • News of The Day, 01 JULY 2025
    News of The Day, 01 JULY 2025

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image. Photo: UNB
    After 58 yrs, Ctg getting two new govt schools
  • Showkat Ali Chowdhury, the chairman of Eastern Bank Limited (EBL). File photo
    Bank accounts of Eastern Bank chairman, his family frozen
  • A Chevron gas station sign is seen in Del Mar, California, April 25, 2013. Chevron will report earnings on April 26. REUTERS/Mike Blake
    Chevron to resume Jalalabad gas project after Petrobangla clears $237m dues
  • Representational image. Photo Mumit M/TBS
    Tariff renegotiation in power sector a disaster for investors: Chinese Enterprises Association
  • Bangladesh Bank. File Photo: Collected
    Banks to remain open for transactions till 6pm today
  • NBR Office in Dhaka. File Photo: Collected
    NBR officers should captain revenue authority, businesses tell finance adviser

Related News

  • Police disperse crowd, reinforce ban on rally near Jamuna: DMP
  • Soaring rice price: Speakers call for rationing for the poor
  • Court attaches plots, freezes bank accounts of ex-MP Shikhor's wife
  • Tenure of independent commission on BDR carnage extended again
  • Ex-CEC Nurul Huda confesses to role in controversial 2018 national polls

Features

Illustration: TBS

Ulan Daspara: Remnants of a fishing village in Dhaka

23h | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Innovative storage accessories you’ll love

2d | Brands
Two competitors in this segment — one a flashy newcomer, the other a hybrid veteran — are going head-to-head: the GAC GS3 Emzoom and the Toyota CH-R. PHOTOS: Nafirul Haq (GAC Emzoom) and Akif Hamid (Toyota CH-R)

GAC Emzoom vs Toyota CH-R: The battle of tech vs trust

2d | Wheels
Women farmers, deeply reliant on access to natural resources for both farming and domestic survival, are among the most affected, caught between ecological collapse and inadequate structural support. Photo: Shaharin Amin Shupty

Hope in the hills: How women farmers in Bandarban are weathering the climate crisis

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

News of The Day, 01 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 01 JULY 2025

13m | TBS News of the day
Elon Musk calls for breaking 'one-party' rule

Elon Musk calls for breaking 'one-party' rule

1h | TBS World
Phone call leak: Thai Prime Minister Phatthana Shinawatra dismissed

Phone call leak: Thai Prime Minister Phatthana Shinawatra dismissed

1h | TBS World
Allegations against Sheikh Hasina are not correct: Sheikh Hasina's state-appointed lawyer

Allegations against Sheikh Hasina are not correct: Sheikh Hasina's state-appointed lawyer

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net