Affordable, user-friendly, and versatile, portable cabins are a great alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar structures, especially when there's a time or budget constraint. Designed and built to be movable rather than permanently located, they come fully outfitted with electrical fixtures, sturdy floorings, and even cutouts for box ACs, making them an easy solution for pop up shops, on-site offices, school classrooms, common rooms, toll booths, security cabins, and temporary residential spaces and showrooms. In Doha, they're commonly seen at construction sites, events, and as modular structures that can be connected, stacked, or expanded for multiple uses.
The modern portable building, or "knock-down" building, was first developed by United States firm Porta-Kamp in 1955. The first portable building under the trade name Portacabin was developed in 1961 in York (UK) by Donald Shepherd. These days portacabins are constructed with a steel outer wall, steel roof and galvanised steel floor frame. The walls are injected with foam insulation to give them a high thermal efficiency, resulting in a cabin that requires minimal maintenance for maximum comfort. They're usually carried to or from the site on a large lorry and slung on and off by a crane for easy transportation. They're heat insulated & corrosion free, making them a weather-friendly option in extreme conditions.
These pre-fab structures offer great freedom in terms of their design, color, size, and shape. As office solutions, they can be altered to suit your brand colours and decor needs, while providing an economical work space with all the trimmings of a 'real' office, minus the costs. When it comes to their interiors, the options are endless; internal finished, floor covers, carpeting, lighting systems, energy-saving add-ons, and even wall materials can be customised to suit your needs.
Higher-end options offer even more possibilities. The more complex solutions consist of several units joined into large office blocks over several floors. These are often disguised as normal buildings, with brick style cladding or faux-wooden exteriors and traditional pitched roofs. Simpler, pricier options usually include single units that can be set up with the best materials in the business - quality wood, energy-efficient windows, modern fixtures - and external add-ons like canopies and patios. Whatever your budget, there's a portable cabin that can fit your needs.
Looking to add some storage, living or office space to your next project? Here's a handy list of local portable cabin experts and dealers to help you get started!