HyBrid Seattle is a small architecture firm with big ideas. From the multi-unit residential cargo container housing shown above to smaller emergency and residential and larger commercial structures they have done a great deal of conceptual and real-life experimentation with the possibilities of shipping containers used in architectural ways. (Source)

Super Sustainable Cargo Container Home

This prototype design is two homes in one with lower energy consumption and solar panels and geothermal power to offset what little energy is still needed. Based on shipping containers they employ recycled materials in virtually all aspects of the design process. If anything, this structure arguably sacrifices style and comfort for the sake of sustainability - but as a polemical piece maybe that is an acceptable statement. (Source)

Amazing Recycled Metal Sculpture Park

Foreverton has a mythical or even mystical sound to it - and the place lives up to the name. This is the world’s largest metal sculpture - 60 by 120 feet feet - itself surrounded by other sculptures forming a massive sculpture park. Whether he is serious or sarcastic its creator claims to be waiting to launch part of the mega-structure as a spaceship that will then help him reach the divine. A real claim or a trick to trap the tourists? No one can be entirely sure. (Source)

Art Park Created from Recycled Materials

This vast architectural/art space was the life’s work of an Italian immigrant whose obsession grew and could not be stopped. The Watts Towers come complete with a wonderland of gazebos, fountains and artful mosaics made largely from found objects and recycled materials. At nearly 100 feet in height the towers themselves were cobbled together from a mixture of concrete, steel, mortar and wire mesh. All in all this is one of the most amazing buildings ever built essentially by one dedicated man. (Source)

Recycled Plastic Bottle Igloo Building

“Because Americans drink 70 million disposable bottles of water each day, with just 10 million making their way to a recycling bin, Jasmine wants to help spread the word about recycling and repurposing everyday objects in our environment.” This polemical piece of exotic plastic architecture will rotate locations in an attempt to raise general awareness about excessive plastic use in society and potentially sustainable reuse options. (Source)

Structural Sand Bag Walled House

Sand bags are handy in emergencies but also make great building materials - densely packed, they are great insulators and relatively easy to stack and use as framing infill in construction. The simple building techniques needed to assemble such a home make it accessible for people who lack the traditional skills to take part in constructing their own house. Sandbags can usually be purchased locally and cheaply as well, making them a more sustainable and affordable building material. (Source)

Even More Amazing Recycled Architecture

Haven’t had enough amazing recycled architecture for one day? From chapel, airplane and plane conversions to boat, water tower and pig sty adaptive reuses and creatively unusual present and historical structures built from bottles, cans and hay bales here are even more offbeat and innovative examples of amazing recycled architecture and design.

Even More Cargo Container Buildings

Want more creative cargo container architecture? Here are some more incredible shipping container building designs from container houses, schools and hotels to container emergency shelters and massive residential and office complexes. Or if you are feeling particularly adventurous, find out more about how to buy, design and/or build your own cargo container home or office.

Creative Recycled Art Made from Trash

Not all recycling has to have a functional purpose in mind - some of the most engaging works of recycled art are just that: aesthetic pieces designed to inspire emotion and provoke thought. From legions of trash people and peeled building interiors to garbage sculpture parks and tin can paintings here are some creative though not necessarily functional works of recycled art and design. Enjoy this gallery? Also be sure to check out our collection of 42 creative and unusual prefab buildings and flat pack furniture designs.