The Pitch: The Use of Shipping Containers to Design Austin’s New Hospitality Complex

Designed by Austin’s award-winning architecture and interiors firm, Mark Odom Studio, The Pitch is the first Austin’s exciting new hospitality and entertainment complex built from shipping containers. There are 23 repurposed containers used in this project.

Design

It is a distinct hospitality and entertainment complex located in Austin and designed for Austin FC soccer fans and the community. It sits on a half-acre site which is a one-of-a-kind destination hub for retail, hospitality, office, food, and outdoor gatherings. The complex is served from flexible two-story repurposed shipping containers.

Karlin Real Estate, the developer, had no experience in using a container and they were interested in using it for this project. It is the first project of its kind in Austin and the region that was built from shipping containers.

Containers

There are 23 repurposed shipping containers of two standard container modular sizes used for this complex. Those containers are clustered into five separate building pods and stacked to create two stories.

With varying building square footages, the pod can function well for the users and provide a dense visual and physical experience and view of the beautiful landscape. Each pod of the building uses the same custom detailing, color, and material.

Structure

Food and beverage outlets can be found in ground-level containers while second-level containers are used for Austin FC soccer game-watching parties, private party rooms, private office spaces, interior conditioned gathering spaces, and viewing decks.

Overhead trellises, vertical tube steel railings, and custom stairs were designed carefully by tying each level together. On ends, there are 40-foot-tall containers that serve as wayfinding nodes and function as electrical rooms and restroom facilities with a skylight.

There is also a mass timber pavilion with custom steel apertures that anchors the program between the Pitch and Austin FC practice stadium.

Details

The site is designed beautifully so the containers can absorb and nestle the grade changes. The views and experience can entice users to explore and walk around thanks to the curated pods.

The exterior and interior finish selections in this project are handled by Mark Odom Studio, including the selection and installation of the interior and exterior furniture.

Mark Odom Studio also worked closely with Citadel, Leap Structures, and Makehaus to achieve the level of execution needed.

The Pitch Gallery

Photographer: Casey Dunn