Eco-Friendly Modular Spaces Enhancing Accra’s Premier Urban Park
Location: GHUD Park, Accra Mall, Ghana
Completion: July 2024
Project Type: Commercial / Public Realm
Containers Used: 5 × 40ft and 2 × 20ft
Built Area: 175 m²
Construction Duration: 6 weeks
Project Scope
- Supply chain management
- Transformation of shipping containers into functional commercial spaces
Project Deliverables
- Transportation and on-site placement of containers
- Drywall Installation and partitioning
- Interior skimming & painting
- Tiling and insulation installation
- Structural modifications and cutouts
- Installation of doors, awnings, and exterior murals
- Exterior respraying of containers
Project Overview
In collaboration with Ghud Park, a visionary eco-urban initiative situated at Accra Mall, YBE GH LTD was entrusted with repurposing ISO shipping containers into vibrant, functional spaces that align with the park’s sustainable ethos. The project involved converting five (5) 40-foot and two (2) 20-foot containers into diverse facilities, including restrooms, an administrative office and charging station, a rental shop for skating and biking equipment, and a bar and eatery. These structures are integral to Ghud Park’s mission of fostering community engagement, wellness, and environmental consciousness.
Design Approach
Operating within the framework of the client’s masterplan, our team exercised professional discretion, collaborating closely with the principal architect on aspects such as color schemes and container site placements. Key design considerations included:
- Passive Ventilation & Thermal Strategy:
To counter the well-known issue of container heat retention:
- Containers were oriented to maximize prevailing breezes and natural ventilation.
- Large operable windows and doors were introduced for cross-ventilation.
- Rockwool insulation was installed in wall cavities and ceilings to improve thermal inertia.
- No mechanical cooling systems (AC/fans) were installed, yet thermal comfort was achieved, even during peak afternoon hours in the tropical dry season.
- Material Optimization & Circular Design
- Cutouts from windows and doors were repurposed as barn doors & awnings achieving near-zero steel waste.
- Modular assemblies were designed to be disassembled or expanded in future phases, increasing lifecycle adaptability.
- Containers were mounted on reinforced slab foundations that allowed for leveling and water drainage, essential on the sloped park site.
- Contextual Integration
- Color palette and external murals were coordinated with the park’s master branding strategy.
- Local artists were commissioned for mural installations, reinforcing GHUD Park’s identity as a community-first space.
- The architectural language maintained a lightweight, industrial vernacular, contrasting with the surrounding concrete mall structures and amplifying visual dynamism.
- Foundation and Assembly: Containers were mounted on slab foundations to ensure structural stability, with modular assembly conducted on-site by skilled local artisans trained in modular construction techniques.
Construction and Engineering Insights
Rapid Assembly Model
The entire transformation—from container drop-off to final handover—was executed within 6 weeks using a highly sequenced, parallel fabrication strategy:
- On-site works:
- Containers were cut, framed, and insulated on-site
- Foundations, anchoring bolts, and trenching were completed ahead of delivery.
- Skilled local tradespeople were trained in modular detailing, offering knowledge transfer and capacity-building in sustainable construction.
Materials & Durability
- Oil-based paints were selected for interior surfaces in wet areas (restrooms, bar) for ease of cleaning and humidity resistance.
- while exteriors received anti-rust treatments followed by vibrant oil-based paints and murals to enhance aesthetic appeal.
- Material Reuse: By repurposing seven ISO shipping containers, we diverted approximately 12,300 kg of Corten steel from potential waste, aligning with circular economy principles.
- Waste Minimization: All construction waste was recycled or repurposed, minimizing the project’s environmental footprint.
Performance and Impact
Thermal Comfort
The design’s emphasis on natural ventilation and effective insulation has negated the need for air conditioning or fans, providing comfortable indoor environments year-round.
Local Capacity Development:
Over 20 tradespeople were involved, many learning modular construction, metal joinery, and passive design principles for the first time.
Community Engagement
Since its inauguration, Ghud Park has hosted over 20 events, including notable gatherings such as the Daily Graphic’s Real Estate Experience, Porials Pitch 2, Imullar Soundsystem, Accravangaza by Guiness Ghana, King Promise’s Promiseland, Kweku Smoke’s Revival, and Manifest’s Manifestivities. These events have attracted prominent brands like Absa, Coca-Cola, and Guinness Ghana among others underscoring the park’s role as a dynamic community hub.
Ongoing Activities
The park offers a range of regular activities promoting health and well-being, including aerobics, dance classes, a Strava run club, crocheting workshops, yoga sessions, and more, reflecting its alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Technical Summary
Feature | Specification |
Structural Modules | 5 × 40ft HC + 2 × 20ft HC containers |
Built Area | 175 m² |
Recycled Steel Used | ~12,300 kg |
Insulation | Rockwool (walls and ceiling) |
Interior Finishes | Oil-based washable paints/Emulsion paints |
Foundations | Slab-on-grade concrete |
External Coating | Oil paint + mural paint |
Mechanical Systems | None (100% passive ventilation) |
Project Credits
YBE Project Team
- Project Manager: Rukie Kwaku Agyeman
- Construction Team: Maxwell Zah, Prophet Okudzeto, Emmanuel Torwudzo, Abraham Ayeer, Ignatius Tetteh
Client Team
- CEO, Ghud Park: Kenneth Owusu-Akyaw
- Project Site Manager: Joseph Torvor
Suppliers & Vendors
- Installation Specialist LTD
- Décor and Tiles: More Beyond Décor Tiles
- Logistics: Kingsley Cranes & Transport
Reflections for the Built Environment Community
The GHUD Park Containers represent a real-world test case for how modular, recycled, and locally-assembled architecture can operate at the scale of public infrastructure, not just temporary pop-ups. For architects, planners, and engineers exploring:
- Tactical urbanism
- Low-carbon materials
- Disaster-resilient and relocatable units
- Rapid build-out models for civic infrastructure
…this project offers a replicable model in both tropical and urban-African contexts.