Architects'design earns acclaim.

Fox & Fowle Architects has found a practical use for the millions of shipping containers that pile up at ports across the U.S.: housing units.

The firm's innovative solution was a winner in a nationwide competition sponsored by the Boston Society of Architects (BSA).

Calling their design, "Gloucester Green: Renew Recycle Rejoice," Fox & Fowle proposed the reuse of abandoned shipping containers which would be creatively recycled as low-cost modules for 351 new live/work housing units.

The design responds to the growing surplus of these excess containers. Last year, the Port Authority reported that because of the growing trade deficit there was a surplus of nearly 950,000 containers in New Jersey's Newark Elizabeth Port, alone.

Led by principal Mark Strauss, the New York-based Fox & Fowle team responded to the challenge put forth by BSA to transform, on paper, a 20-acre, high-density area adjacent to the commuter rail station in Gloucester, MA into a better place to live.

The Fox & Fowle design provides for 145,000 SF of commercial space, 25,000 SF of retail space and parking for 593 cars to support an active community while providing for an appealing, livable environment.

Only six out of the 57 global entries were awarded prizes by a panel of nationally recognized architects and planners.

Fox & Fowle's team included: Mark Strauss, AIA, AICP, principal in charge; Bruce Fowle, FAIA; Daniel Kaplan AIA; John Loughran AIA; Nino Hewitt, AIA; Biju Chirathalattu. Special advisors included: William Reed, AIA, Natural Logic; Richard Gsottsneider, principal, RKG Economic Consultants; and Barry Hersh, AICP, associate director, Baruch College Steven Newman Real Estate Institute.