Containers of Hope
San Jose
Benjamin Garcia Saxe
DESIGNER: Benjamin Garcia Saxe BUILDER: Benjamin Garcia Saxe BUILD DATE: 2013
LOCATION: San Jose, Costa Rica PHOTO CREDITS: Benjamin Garcia Saxe RATING: 5 Stars
Containers of Hope is an amazing project by Benjamin Garcia Saxe Architecture, rated 5 Stars by Interbode. Built on a tight budget, this container house allowed the Peralta family to live debt free in Costa Rica - surrounded by fields, and just 20 minutes outside of the city of San Jose.
Saxe says: “They made the very bold choice of exploring the possibility of creating a very inexpensive house made out of disregarded shipping containers that allowed them to … live the life they always dreamed of. It was important for me to provide them with the sunrise, the sunset, the spectacular views, and overall try and create a feeling of comfort and home.”
The building is made from two shipping containers that are raised above the ground on concrete column foundations . 2 x 40 foot (12M) high cubes were arranged parallel to one another and then shifted horizontally. Placing two containers together in order to create more liveable floor space is common but this is one of the first examples of a floor plan that adds even more space by creating a 1.4m gap between the units and shifting them across each other to form a very simple yet dynamic plan and create new sight lines and views of the surrounds.
The sides of the containers have mostly been left intact (which reduces engineering and steel costs), with one large east elevation cut from the side to install glass and aluminium framed windows for the living room. These cuts were then taken from the sides of the container and used as roofing on the raised center and the walls were insulated with industrial grade insulation. New wood floors were installed over the containers and the newly created middle section. The raised center provides natural daylighting and a wind tower effect encouraging natural ventilation, which works in a similar way to cooling systems found on certain caravans to draw out warm air as it rises.
From the architect “ A roof between the two containers, made from the scrap pieces of metal taken to make the windows, not only creates an internal sensation of openness but also provides a cross ventilation which is surprisingly sufficient enough to never have to turn the air conditioning on.” “I believe that the power of design comes from inspiring others with our work to look at alternate and creative solutions for dwellings in order to provide and gift them with a greater financial freedom.”
Interbode Thoughts
It is a great example of clear, efficient and affordable design. The final cost of the house (40,000USD) is lower than the cost of social housing in Costa Rica and has enabled the Peralta family to live in the home of their dreams without going into debt.
If you would like to download a copy of the Design file for Interbode’s version of Containers of Hope, please see below.
Containers of Hope DESIGNS
Containers of Hope Plans
High Level Architectural Plans of the Containers of Hope house by Interbode’s design workshop.
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