The document provides an overview of the evolution of self storage facilities as a building typology in the United States. It discusses how the need for self storage emerged from post-WWII consumerism, increased mobility, and life changes. As demand grew, developers realized the economic potential of self storage facilities and sought efficient designs to cut costs and maximize profits. The evolution is traced through timelines showing how self storage developed from early domestic storage to today's 2.3 billion square feet of space. Factors like consumerism, family structures, and transportation influenced the transition from fixed to portable storage over time.

1. Self Storage
A Pattern Book
Jessie Carroll
Pooneh Fassihi
Nealia Giarratani
Chris Giblin
SS
Mike Griffin
Jamie Pirperis

2. Self Storage Self Storage
Sources Table of Contents
Most Influential
The American Institute of Architectural Graphic Standards, 11th Edition. Hoboken:
Architects Wiley & Sons Inc., 2007.
ISS Inside Self-Storage www.insideselfstorage.com
Using Site Security as a Marketing Tool-Luz. A Ber
Self-Storage Construction-Heath Mulkey and Joe Trepke
Kiwi II Construction www.kiwiconstruction.com 4 Introduction
6 Evolution
Libery Building Systems www.libertybuildings.com 16 Site
2009 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.
28 Organization
Massachusetts Building Code Commonwealth of Massachusetts 44 Structure
William F. Galvin 66 Units
76 Systems
Mini Storage Outlet www.ministoragecompanies.com 88 Access
98 Economy
Providing Self-Storage www.askactive.com
Solutions 120 Matrix
Self Storage Association www.selfstorage.org
Self Storage Deals www.storage.selfstoragedeals.com
Five Top Reasons Why People Use Self Storage-Daniel Myers
The Onion www.theonion.com
Local Self Storage Facility A Museum of Personal Failure
TBS Trachte Building Systems www.trachte.com
Texas Self Storage Association www.txssa.org
Wise Geek www.wisegeek.com
What Size Storage Unit Do I Need?-Cathy Rogers
2 3

3. Self Storage
Self Storage As Typology
The United States currently has 2.3 billion square feet of self
storage space...more than seven square feet for every man,
woman and child. It’s now “physically possible that every
American could stand - all at the same time- under the total
canopy of self storage roofing.
Introduction The erecting of self-storage facilities, and the evolution
of self storage as a building typology, is one specific to
the last half century. The initiation of the movement was
based on a human need.
Co
ns y This need transpired from issues including;
um ilit
er ob
ism M consumerism, mobility and life crisis. Post WWII the
price of goods plummeted 50% while American wages
increased. The result was vast consumerism, that is
people buying more than ever before and needing a
Life Cris
place to store their items.
is
American mobility also sponsored a need for temporary
storage. The average American moves eleven times in
one’s lifetime. In the US alone 40 million people move
each year. Therefore there is an immense need for
$$ $$ -$$ +$$ temporary self-storage.
Efficienc ty
y Profitabili
Lastly life crisis also added to the growing need for
storage. Many connect this to the “no fault” divorce
laws and the subsequent need for storage. Other
life milestones include; college students, empty
nesters, dramatic downsizing, and home or business
SS SS
foreclosures.
As the need for storage evolved real-estate developers
realized the economic profits available in the industry of
storage. Therefore the most economic efficient means
were utilized in the formation of facilities to cut upfront
costs and increase profitability. It is the economics that
shape the form of this typology.
5

4. Self Storage
evolution
Evolution
site
organization
8 Timelines The evolution of Self Storage has strong ties to American
10 Domestic Storage culture. Topics of culture such as economy, family,
geography, ideals, etc have all shaped the industry of
12 Disembodiment from the Home Self Storage.
14 Analysis
Both fixed and portable Self Storage types have been
structure
influenced by specific cultural trends over the past
century.
units
systems
access
economy
7

5. Self Storage Self Storage
Timeline Timeline
evolution
evolution
2008:
GDP $14,441.4 B
2008:
site
site
51,251
Self
Storage
Facilities
organization
organization
s
ilitie
fac
age
t or
lfs
structure
structure
f se
ro
be
m
1984: nu
GDP $3,930.9 B
1964:
GDP $663.6 B
units
units
uct
gros s domestic prod
1984: 1780s 1900s 1951 1952 1998
1964: 6,601 Self Storage Facilities
First Self Storage Facility Railroad Container Ships Truck Based
1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
systems
systems
The history of self storage as we know In 1964 the first self storage facility was
it in America begins with the growth of built in Odessa, Texas. Most items in
suburbia in the 1950s. As Americans the original Self Storage facility were
became wealthier they were acquiring household products.
more possessions than they needed on
access
access
a regular basis. This lead to the need In the graph above notice the similarity
for storage outside of the home. between the rate of change of the Loose Boxes Closed Container Purpose-Built CONEX PODS
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Open top containers Rail containers Vessel US Army “Container Portable On Demand
number of Self Storage facilities. used to ship raw with covered roof Ships designed to Express” Storage system
materials via rail to protect materials transport cargo, standardized steel which moves and/
economy
economy
within converted tankers containers or stores personal/
until this point office items
8 portable fixed fixed portable 9

6. Self Storage Self Storage
Domestic Storage
evolution
evolution
Percentage of Storage within the Home
5.36%
storage
site
site
organization
organization
The relationship between Self Storage and the American
house is complicated. As the size of the home has
grown, the percentage of storage within the home has
also increased. Also, family size has decreased over
the past century, essentially the home is getting larger
with more storage within it and less people living there.
structure
structure
2.18%
storage
However, the need for Self Storage has grown rapidly.
<0.1%
storage In the graph on the previous page the shaded section
house size: 2,400 sq ft
shows the square footage of the home that is not taken
storage size: 128.64 sq ft
up by storage. From right to left there is a decrease in
the margin between what is living space and what is
units
units
storage space.
Early to mid-century typical house plans show small
deposits of storage (in green) compared to the later
systems
systems
plan showing dispersed storage through out the house,
especially around bedrooms and bathrooms. None of
house size: 983 sq ft these diagrams account for basement, attic, or garage
storage size: 21.43 sq ft
house size: 700 sq ft storage; the focus is on the historically living spaces and
storage size: 0.7 sq ft the encroachment of storage into that.
access
access
house size-sq ft
economy
economy
storage amount-sq ft
1900 1950 2000
10 portable fixed 11

7. Self Storage Self Storage
Disembodiment from the Home Disembodiment of from the Home
evolution
evolution
site
site
organization
organization
structure
structure
units
units
Historically Americans provided As Americans became more Finally, Americans were able During the 1990s portable The user could also have the Or alternatively the user could
their own storage within the “house proud” storage was to store their overflow of storage containers became container shipped to a new choose to have the contain
home, clustered in areas such ejected from the home and possessions in storage facilities. a popular alternative to self location, generally for moving to stored at a facility owned by the
as closets, basements, and forced into the garage. These facilities are away from storage facilities. Portable a new home. container company. The facility
attics. the home, but usually within containers are dropped at the is generally not accessed by the
systems
systems
the same town to allow for easy user’s home and packed by the user, and the container has to
access. user. The user has the option to be brought to the user’s home
keep the container on their own to retrieve items from within.
property. Essentially the user has lost a
geographic connection to their
access
access
items being stored.
economy
economy
12 portable fixed fixed portable 13

8. Self Storage Self Storage
Analyisis Analysis
evolution
evolution
“Who” Stores Store “What”
Sentimental Items Academic Documents Furniture
One in ten U.S. households People often store items Students store their
now rent a self-storage unit. 50% of people store
from deceased loved academic documents and furniture. It is the most
The use of self-storage and its ones or items from failed small household items
site
site
commonly stored item.
demographic has increased relationships or marriages. between semesters. This is a result of what is
dramatically in recent years. Appliances Storing is used as a way of Adults often store these referred to as the IKEA
With the US facing an economic preserving one’s history. dated documents for later effect - furniture costs less
People moving, downsizing, reference.
recession a record number or experiencing home/ so people buy more.
organization
organization
of homes and businesses buisness forclosures
are finding themselves in may need to store large
foreclosure. Therefore the household items.
demand for larger units has
skyrocketed in comparison to Families in Transition Home/ Buisness Foreclosures
the smaller unit utilized in the
consumerism/ economic boom.
structure
structure
units
units
systems
systems
College Students in Transition Divorcee’s
Exercise Equipment
In an interview published
Office Equipment
access
access
by The Onion, one storage
Failed businesses store facility claimed to store
their equipment in hopes the largest collection of
of utilizing it someday. Nordic Tracks, and the
Households store dated owner foresaw an eventual
electronic devices. increase in Bow Flexes.
economy
economy
Empty Nester’s Downsizing
14 portable fixed fixed portable 15

9. Self Storage
evolution
Site
site
organization
19 Site Location Self-storage facilities are built on different sites. They
20 Urban Compact are divided into four different sites: Urban Compact,
Highway/Edge-City, Industrial/ Suburban, and Private
22 Highway/ Edge-City Property.
24 Industrial/ Suburban
26 Private Property There are many important factors that are taken into
structure
consideration for the different sites, but the four most
important factors are: demographics, land values, speed/
visibility and parking space. Demographics studies of a
specific site indicate the population that live in the area
and help to understand the need for self-storage facility
in the area. Land values are the most important factor. In
units
Urban compact and highway/edge-city sites, because of
dense population land value is higher compared to the
Industrial/Suburban sites. Self-storage facilities should
be built on a site with high visibility to drivers, therefore,
systems
looking at the vehicle speeds of the neighborhood is also
important.
access
economy
17

10. Self Storage
Site
evolution
Location
site
organization
Site Location
structure
Urban Highway Industrial Private Property
Compact (edge-city Suburban (Portable)
units
systems
access
economy
fixed portable 19

11. Self Storage Self Storage
Site Site
evolution
evolution
Urban Compact Urban Compact
site
site
Demographics Speed/ Visibility
Self-storage facilities located in urban compact sites are The self-storage facilities in urban compact sites are
designed in dense residential areas. The population is located on a main road, where the speed limit is 30 mph.
organization
organization
usually consisted of single male and female, young This allows the drivers to see the self-storage facility
married couples usually with one child, and college while driving.
students.
structure
structure
Land Values Parking
units
units
Due to high property values and dense population, urban Due to high land value parking space is minimized for
sites create an ideal site for building a multi-story self- multi-story self storage facilities in the urban compact
storage facility. sites, because these facilities try to provide more storage
space than parking.
systems
systems
$$$$
access
access
economy
economy
20 portable fixed fixed portable 21

12. Self Storage Self Storage
Site Site
evolution
evolution
Highway - Edge City Highway - Edge City
site
site
Demographics Speed/ Visibility
Some self-storage facilities are located by local highways The average speed limit on a highway is 60 mph. A self-
for high visibility to the drivers. They are on zones storage facility that is built on a highway is visible to all
organization
organization
between residential and commercial areas or edge of the people who drive by daily.
city. The population is consisted of families with children
where the need for storage space is a must.
structure
structure
Land Values Parking
units
units
Sites located at highway/ edge city are expensive but the Due to high land value parking space is minimized for
land value is considered to be cheaper than urban/ multi-story self storage facilities that are built by a
compact sites. highway. Since parking space is always an issue in a city,
Therefore, this type of site is an ideal site for building a self-storage facilities try to provide parking space to the
systems
systems
multi-story self-storage facility. customers for easy access.
$$$
access
access
economy
economy
22 portable fixed fixed portable 23

13. Self Storage Self Storage
Site Site
evolution
evolution
Industrial/ Suburban Industrial/ Suburban
site
site
Demographics Speed/ Visibility
The Industrial/ Suburban sites house multiple of single Self-storage facilities in an Industrial/ Suburban site are
story buildings, and the portable storage facilities. Since located on a main road, with high visibility to drivers.
organization
organization
these sites are at the edge of industrial and suburban The average speed limit is 40 mph, where the driver can
housing, the population is consisted of families with easily see the storage units while driving by.
children living in single family houses.
structure
structure
Land Values Parking
units
units
The Industrial/ Suburban sites provide bigger and Since these sites house the single-story buildings with
cheaper land compared to the urban compact sites. This access to units from the exterior, parking space is
gives a flexibility of adding as many storage buildings as minimized, because people can drive their cars to their
possible. units and access their goods, therefore there is no need
systems
systems
for parking space. There is usually a few parking spots
located by the entrance for customers who need to rent a
unit.
$
access
access
economy
economy
24 portable fixed fixed portable 25

14. Self Storage Self Storage
Site Site
evolution
evolution
Private Property Private Property
site
site
Home Garage Office
One of the sites for placing a portable storage container Portable containers are not only used by households, but
is on a home property/ parking garage. Therefore, the they are also used by offices to store supplies. These
organization
organization
container will become part of home and can stay on site containers can be stored in a basement level, storage
as long as the owner needs to access it. room or parking garage of an office building. They can be
placed on site as long as needed.
structure
structure
Street Facility
units
units
Sometimes these containers can be place on the street The portable storage containers can also be transported
by the house, but the amount of time where they can be to a self-storage facility and stored there as long as
placed there is limited. needed and they can be transported to a home or an
office when needed. These facilities are usually located
systems
systems
in Industrial/ Suburban sites.
access
access
economy
economy
26 portable fixed fixed portable 27

15. Self Storage
evolution
Building Organization
site
organization
30 Introduction Self Storage facilities can have many different building
32 Single Story types. These types are often dependant on the site
where the building is located. These building types can
34 Single StoryConditioned be divided into two main building categories, fixed and
36 Multi-Story portable.
38 Mechanized
structure
40 Warehouse The fixed type can be divided into several subcategories
each with several different building types. The layout of
these subcategories can vary depending on whether it is
located in a single story or a multi story building. Single
story buildings consist of both single story and single
story conditioned buildings. These are typically located
units
on industrial/suburban sites. Multi-story buildings have
two types, multi-story and mechanized. Multi-story
buildings are usually located on urban compact or edge-
city sites. Mechanized storage is a high-end storage
systems
type where units are located on a rotating carousel so
they can only be accessed by being lowered down to the
entry level.
Portable storage facilities are typically located on
industrial/ suburban sites. The individual units can then
access
be delivered to any home or business for the client and
either moved to the facility for storage or to another
location.
economy
29

16. Self Storage Self Storage
Building Organization Building Organization
evolution
evolution
Introduction Introduction
site
site
Building
Organization
organization
organization
Fixed Storage Portable Storage
structure
structure
Fixed Storage Portable Storage
units
units
Single Story
Single Story Multi-Story Mechanized
Conditioned
Warehouse
systems
systems
Fixed storage buildings are either multiple of one story Portable self-storage is a portable alternative to the
buildings or a multi-story building. The single story traditional or fixed storage. Instead of renting a storage
buildings are common in the suburban areas, where land unit and having to take the belongings to the unit, the
is bigger and cheaper. The multi-story buildings are ones portable unit is brought to the house or office. When the
access
access
that are located in urban areas, where land is smaller and unit is filled with goods, it is then returned to the facility,
population is dense. usually located in suburban areas.
economy
economy
30 portable fixed fixed portable 31

17. Self Storage Self Storage
Fixed Storage Fixed Storage
evolution
evolution
Single Story Single Story
Dimensions
site
site
25’-0”
Dimension
to Fence
25’-0”
organization
organization
9’-12’-0”
Varies
structure
structure
Vehicle Path
units
units
Building
Width
Parking
Office
systems
systems
These buildings have units that are accessed
from the exterior. They have fencing around Vehicle Path
25’-0”
the building with a gate system and an office
on the front. The dimension between buildings 25
’-0
is 25’-0” for vehicular access to the drive-up ”
38
access
access
units. The common building width is 25’-0”
with a height ranging from 9’-0” to 12’-0”. ft 2 square footage
%
efficiency
economy
economy
See market chapter for more information
32 portable fixed fixed portable 33

18. Self Storage Self Storage
Fixed Storage Fixed Storage
evolution
evolution
Single Story - Conditioned Single Story - Conditioned
Interior Units End-Units
site
site
y
ar
e sV
z
Si
9’-0” - 12’-0”
organization
organization
Interior Corridor
Interior Units Varies
structure
structure
25
5’-0” ’d
ee
p
9’-0” - 12’-0”
un
its
Varies
units
units
Office/ Parking
Dimension
25’-0”
Building Wide Units
to Building
systems
systems
The exterior and interior type in addition to
exterior drive-up units also has interior units. Interior Units - Climate Control Units
These units are called climate-control-units.
They are units that are temperature controlled
and protect the materials from humidity and Office
63
access
access
severe weather. These units are connected
with an interior corridor. Similar to exterior
units, there is an office at the entrance for Parking
ft 2 square footage
%
efficiency
customer service.
economy
economy
See market chapter for more information
34 portable fixed fixed portable 35

19. Self Storage Self Storage
Fixed Storage Fixed Storage
evolution
evolution
Multi-Story Multi-Story
Interior Units Smaller Units
Interior Units
site
site
Interior Corridor
7’-0”
Interior Corridor
Inside Units
organization
organization
5’-0”
structure
structure
Perimeter
Units
Interior Corridor
units
units
Office/ Entry
Larger Units
systems
systems
Elevator
Multi-story buildings are ones that all of their Multi-story buildings have various sizes
units are located inside and access to them is Entrance of units that are connected to each other
only possible through the facility. They have a Lobby with a 5’ corridor, and in some areas 7’
loading dock where the goods are brought to corridors. These units are usually climate
the facility. They are taken to the elevator and
68
access
access
controlled since they are located inside
then to the upper floors. These buildings can
have many stories, but they are usually 3-4
stories tall.
the building. Larger units are usually
located on the perimeter of the building ft 2 square footage
%
Office Office and smaller units are dispersed efficiency
throughout the building.
economy
economy
See market chapter for more information
36 portable fixed fixed portable 37