The term cargotecture was coined by HyBrid Architecture in 2003 to describe any building system built entirely or partially from ISO shipping containers. HyBrid honors cargotecture's ability to transcend values related to beauty and aesthetics and to affect people on a visceral and emotional level.

In an effort to move the concept of cargotecture beyond renderings and drawings, HyBrid continues to work with individual clients to realize site- and program-specific visions of sustainability.