# Upcycled Adaptable College Buildings Neubau Uses a Compact Shipping Container as a Porters' Lodge By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-07-20 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/college-buildings References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/07/20/cambridge-university-hughes-hall-porters-lodge-neubau-shipping-container-architecture/) & [neubau.uk](http://neubau.uk/) It is always enjoyable to observe the development of college buildings over time. As universities are a temporal culmination of innovative minds and spirits, the architectural layout of the institutions usually has a strong juxtaposition between heritage buildings and cutting-edge facilities. Local studio Neubau contributes to the contemporary narrative of Cambridge University, more specifically of Hughes Hall, with a new reception building that will function as a porters' lodge. The firm makes use of an upcycled shipping container — a structure that has proven to be highly popular in contemporary architecture due to its adaptability, affordability and compact design. The ready-made building's dimensions allow it to seamlessly integrate itself into the narrative of existing college buildings, without compromising the desired functionality. Photo Credits: [Nick Guttridge](http://www.nickguttridge.com/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Upcycling Architecture:** Neubau's use of an upcycled shipping container opens up opportunities for sustainable and cost-effective building designs. - **Adaptable Building Design:** The use of a shipping container as a reception building highlights the potential for adaptable and modular building designs. - **Compact Design Solutions:** Compact shipping containers can seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructure design, offering a compact and affordable solution to space constraints. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Education:** Neubau's design for Hughes Hall at Cambridge University underscores opportunities for upcycling and adaptable architecture in the education industry. - **Construction:** Shipping containers as building structures can disrupt traditional construction practices, offering a cost-effective alternative for building projects with unique space constraints. - **Sustainability:** Upcycling shipping containers for building design presents opportunities for the sustainability industry, opening up possibilities for sustainable and eco-friendly building practices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Welcoming Prefabricated Student Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ignacio-prego-architectures.md) - [Woodland Education Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clearing-education-center.md) - [Ruin-Adaptive Shipping Container Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barneys-ruins.md) - [Pool Reinvention Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waltham-forest-college.md) - [Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/civic-architects-and-vdndp.md) - [Versatile Compact Modern Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augustine-tiny-home.md) - [Adaptive Backyard Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-shack-1.md) - [Educational Storage Shed Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-roof.md) - [Community-Made Eco Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wolves-lane-centre.md)