It would be inappropriate to impose additional specific regulations on shipping containers in the ACT, former National Capital Authority chief Annabelle Pegrum believes.
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Ms Pegrum, who headed the National Capital Authority from 1998 to 2008, says the structures have "pluses and minuses'' and their use needs to be managed as part of the broader issue of preserving and enhancing Canberra’s streetscapes.
"Canberra’s streetscape tradition, which places the totality of the landscape above individual houses, deserves to be respected and protected as it could be all too easy to lose,'' she said.
"Traditionally there has been a strong emphasis on keeping the front of residential blocks clean and open rather than enclosed and private. That is why we have the no-front fence policy.''
Front fences, that is any fence between the building line and the front of the block, are banned in the Territory under Planning and Development Regulation 2008.
"The two things, the no-front fence rule and the use of shipping containers as sheds in front yards, could well be at odds with one another.''
While the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate maintains "visual amenity'' (a nice view) is not a right, Ms Pegrum said issues such as semi-trailers parked seemingly permanently in front driveways, garden-beached caravans and hoarders who filled their front yards with rubbish had always been – and would always be – contentious.
"I wouldn’t be impressed if someone dropped one (a shipping container) in their front yard across the road from me as a glorified shed,'' she said.
"The fact that I might have limited redress would be of concern. But, and it is a big but, the neighbour does have a right to reasonable use of their own front yard. It is an awkward question.''
On the plus side, the containers play a valuable role in commercial precincts and, as structures, have characteristics that allow them to be repurposed in creative ways that can contribute to the city’s art and culture.
"Creative and innovative design should respect an object’s intrinsic qualities,'' she said. "In the case of a shipping container that includes portability and robustness. An example of the excellent use of containers was the transformation of two containers into a "pop up'' bar and "pop up'' gallery during the Centenary Year as the Walt and Miz project.''
Nikki Butlin, who masterminded Walt and Miz, said the bar had since been acquired by Lonsdale Street Roasters.
"The gallery space has been acquired by a private individual who will use it as a studio and gallery behind their home,'' she said.
Australian National University postgraduate law student Natasha Purvis said that as long as designers think outside the square containers can create a positive and comfortable environment.
She has been living in one since 2010 as the first resident to move into the Laurus Wing of the ANU’s Ursula Hall.
The 70-unit accommodation block was completed in just six months thanks to the utilisation of stackable purpose-built shipping containers made and fitted out in China.
While not necessarily cheaper than a conventional building, the Laurus Wing has a number of advantages.
These include the speed of construction and the fact that unlike normal college accommodation it can be dismantled and reused on another site.
Ms Purvis, who is due to move out in July after completing her studies, will miss her container home.
"It has been very nice to have my own space even though it is tiny,’’ she said. "When it is only you it is fine and I’ve had parties with up to 12 people inside. There is a lot of hidden storage. I describe it as 'Japanese living'.''
The structure is very energy efficient. "It is light and airy. All the units face Black Mountain so the views are good and we get the afternoon sun.
"I have an electric wall heater but because the warmth (from the sun) is retained I only have it on one bar at night.''
Ms Purvis, who is used to much more spacious surrounds having moved to Canberra from the country, said the Laurus Wing had redefined her expectations of living space.
Her rent, of about $240 a week, is reasonable by Canberra standards and covers all utilities including power and the Internet.
"It would be very hard to find a room in a shared house which offered as much for similar money.''
Jane Lynch, of Responsive Engineering, is another fan. In her case a container is used to store components for the locally developed Water Watch system that protects diesel four-wheel-drives from water fuel contamination.
The product was a winner on the ABC's New Inventors in 2011 and Responsive Engineering ships up to 100 units a month.
"Our shipping container is additional secure storage for the business,’’ Mrs Lynch said.
"Its virtues are its economy, security and portability.’’
A container also proved useful when Mrs Lynch’s husband died some years ago and the family home went up for sale.
"My husband was a mechanic, a handyman and classic tractor collector,’’ she said. "Over the years he developed a remarkable workshop that we didn’t want to lose.’’
The equipment was installed in a container and then relocated to another family member’s property.
