High-resistance structural steel
Designed for extreme marine conditions. Tolerance to loads, humidity, oxidation.
The materials
Containers that crossed oceans
14 High Cube 40-foot shipping containers, some cut to 20 feet, are the campus primary structure. Corten steel pergola. 100% recycled steel sculptures renewed yearly. Every material decision has a story.
The 14 containers
Not an aesthetic decision. A strategic decision.
Radical reuse
Each container avoids ~3.5 tons CO₂eq vs new structure. 14 containers ≈ 49 tons CO₂eq avoided.
Less cement, less virgin materials
Primary structure arrives prefabricated. Significant reduction of civil works and waste.
Unique architectural identity
Not aesthetics for aesthetics. It's material honesty: the container looks like what it is, no disguise.
Corten steel
The rust that protects.
The time that converses.
Corten steel develops a protective oxidized patina that stops internal corrosion. No paint required, no periodic maintenance. It ages but doesn't degrade.
At Campus CIAE corten appears in the central courtyard pergola, in architectural accents, in stairs connecting stacked containers, in the courtyard bench. Provides visual continuity and dialogues with the regional Sonoran-Arizonan desert reference.
Sculptures
Petterson & Petterson · Annual 100% recycled steel program
Five initial sculptures. One new each year. Previous ones renewed or redistributed. Public art asset + circular economy + recycled material transfer.
Potential LEED v5 Innovation Credit
The annual sculpture program is candidate for LEED v5 innovation credit. Combines accessible public art, renewable circular economy, recycled material technology transfer, and long-term verifiable institutional commitment. Tribo evaluates formal proposal with USGBC in documentation phase.
→ More at Innovation.
Other materials
Confirmed and pending
Transparency: not everything is confirmed at MVP time. What remains pending is documented in Tribo and updated here when it arrives.
| Material | Use | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Corten steel | Courtyard pergola + accents + stairs | Confirmed |
| Recycled structural steel | Structural reinforcements | Pending confirmation 70-90% recycled (Ternium / DeAcero typical) |
| Low-carbon cement | Elevated foundation pads | Pending confirmation CPC 30/40 with additions |
| FSC-certified wood | Selected interior finishes | Pending confirmation |
| Low-VOC paints | Interior finishes | Confirmed |
| Low-VOC adhesives and sealants | Architectural sealing | Confirmed |
Construction waste
Target: >75% landfill diversion
Campus CIAE construction generates waste like any building project. The difference is how it's managed: on-site separation plan + coordination with certified collection company.
Declared target: >75% of generated waste diverted from landfill through recycling, internal reuse or transfer to specialized processors. This supports the MRc5 credit at 100%.
Architectural reference
MSA Annex as reference, not source
"The Campus CIAE project emerged from the group's internal convictions years before encountering MSA Annex by Studio Rick Joy in Tucson. The later encounter with that regional reference reinforced the direction, not originated it. Acknowledging it is part of respecting the Sonoran-Arizonan desert architectural dialogue."
The desert architectural dialogue crosses borders: corten steel, reused containers, native landscaping, passive hydrology. Campus CIAE participates in that conversation from Hermosillo, contributing its own climate response to the BWh zone.
LEED v5
How this translates into LEED points
MR category complete at 100%: 18/18 possible points including the Platinum-mandatory MRc2.
MRc1 Anticipated
Building & Material Reuse
3
/ 3 points
- 14 reused 40-foot High Cube shipping containers as primary structure
MRc2 Anticipated
Reduce Embodied Carbon
6
/ 6 points Platinum Mandatory
- Container reuse + corten steel + 100% recycled steel sculptures + low-carbon cement. Target ≥40% reduction vs baseline
Project priority: PR4
MRc3 Anticipated
Low-Emissions Materials
2
/ 2 points
- Low-VOC interior paints, certified adhesives and sealants
MRc4 Anticipated
Product Selection & Procurement
5
/ 5 points
- Specification with EPD, certified recycled content, regional sourcing
MRc5 Anticipated
Construction Waste Diversion
2
/ 2 points
- >75% landfill diversion. On-site separation plan
Frequently asked questions
What people ask about containers
How many containers and what size?
14 High Cube 40-foot shipping containers. Some cut to 20 feet for specific zones like meeting room and lactation room. High Cube has 30 cm more height than standard container, allowing R-18 insulation installation without compromising interior clearance.
Where do the containers come from?
Market of shipping containers retired from commercial service. Supplier and origin certification pending confirmation. Containers are inspected before acquisition to validate structural integrity, no prior chemical leaks.
How are they thermally insulated?
R-18 insulation system (50% above NOM-020-ENER which requires R-12). Traditionally with rigid polyurethane spray + interior coverings. Exact system detail confirmed in executive design with Tribo.
Do they last as long as traditional construction?
Shipping containers are designed for 25+ years of extreme sea service. In terrestrial use with basic maintenance, expected lifespan exceeds 50 years. Exterior corten steel develops self-repairing protective patina.
What's the carbon savings?
Approximately 49 tons CO₂eq avoided just from reusing the 14 containers. Added to recycled corten steel, 100% recycled steel sculptures and low-carbon cement, we expect ≥40% reduction in embodied carbon vs LEED v5 baseline — exceeds the 20% minimum for MRc2.
Who makes the annual sculptures?
Petterson & Petterson, Sonora-based supplier specialized in 100% recycled steel. The program tenders a new sculpture each year. Previous ones are renewed or redistributed. It's public art asset + circular economy + recycled material transfer.