The New Normal: Working from Home

Dakota Bongers

It is predicted that after COVID-19 passes, the ability to work from home may become more common than it previously was. In collaboration with GIANT Containers, an affordable single-family shipping container unit was designed to accommodate the genuine possibility of the new normal where lines of home and work are blurred. Located at 150 Queens Wharf Road, City Place, Toronto, the main feature of the single family shipping container unit, consisting of two 40 foot shipping containers, are added workspaces and flexible furniture arrangements that allow for different modes of use. The choices of materials, furniture, and fixtures are affordable, eco-friendly, sustainable, locally sourced, and durable. Furthermore, a large apartment complex of shipping containers was created to have communal areas where residents can use its workspaces and social services. The units are placed horizontally with plenty of windows to utilize natural sunlight and the city line views. As City Place currently stands, there are few affordable housing solutions available and the 150 Queen's Wharf Road location is an ideal spot for this creative solution that addresses the community needs and a post-COVID-19 future.