Truth Box to develop 10,000 s/f office from shipping containers

The city of Providence celebrated its newest development project; a creative green office building on Harris Ave. on the west side that will be one of the city's most distinctive contemporary structures. The first development project of its kind in Rhode Island, the 10,000 s/f Box Office, will be constructed from 32 recycled steel shipping containers painted in bright hues. The developer is Peter Gill Case, principal of Truth Box, a Providence-based design/development firm, which specializes in sustainable building practices. The 3-story building will contain 12 units of office and studio spaces, of which 37% are pre-leased. The building's design, environmental philosophy and inexpensive small units are attracting innovative small businesses, artists, and young start-ups working in Providence's growing creative economy. Completion of the project is anticipated March 2010. There are thousands of empty shipping containers piling up in U.S. ports because of our nation's ongoing trade deficit," said Case. "Containers offer a timely opportunity to promote green building principals and offer high quality design in an economy that demands affordable options. I have been inspired by the innovation of other container projects such as 'Container City' in London, 'Keetowen Tempo Housing' in Amsterdam and 'Puma City' (which recently had a "stop over" at the Fan Pier in Boston). I am excited to be breaking ground today on the region's first steel container building here in Providence." "Despite the difficult economic times, today's ground breaking demonstrates that a new form of sustainable development is happening in Providence," said mayor David Cicilline. "I commend Truth Box for their commitment to sustainable building practices and for their decision to build on blighted urban land. My administration is highly supportive of such creative, environmentally-conscious developments, part of a growing trend in Providence of green innovation and social entrepreneurship." The Box Office is the first in a series of three small-scale green buildings planned for Providence in the next five years said Case. The design of the project was spearheaded by Joe Haskett, principal at Distill Studio. The general contractor is Stack Design Build. Joshua Brandt is the project manager. Case is a Brown University and RI School of Design graduate. Haskett is a RI School of Design graduate. Brandt is a Brown University graduate.