Jimmy Lee's company Containerhomes.net has not been featured on the list of the best container home designs on any architecture blog. But it is an example of how cheap shipping containers can be used as building blocks to create unique and beautiful affordable housing and become a successful business investment. The company offers various size homes at relatively cheap prices to people looking for strong structures that can withstand the hurricane and earthquake common to Costa Rica. A 45 foot container home on wheels, a 40 foot container home without wheels, and a 20 foot container home without wheels are the three options offered. Each home comes built with one to two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and living room with fixtures and water and electric systems. Although these eco-friendly shipping container homes are only transportable in and around Costa Rica, the company recognizes the importance of having "established strong relations with other builders around the World who are using the shipping container as the main building block for construction." One problematic aspect of the shipping container houses is that they do not come with built in rainwater catchment system, solar panels, or a hot water pump. They are offered separately at an additional cost. Also not included in the cost but offered at a higher price is site preparation, crane costs, septic, transportation and permits.
In efforts to help the housing situation in Haiti, the company has proposed a design for an emergency shelter that does include a rainwater catchment system with tank and sixteen nylon cots at a cost of $14,000 USD. As part of their research/proposal, they discuss the importance of elevation and land positioning to place the container securely, a potential aspect of their container home architecture that could be resolved through further investigation and design. Another problematic feature not discussed is how these houses will be transported to the site and how much money and time transportation will involve.
Shipping Container Homes in Costa Rica
Entered into: Container Housing
| Overview | team | updates | workspace | calendar | files |
San Ramon, Alajuela
Costa Rica
Please note: This information is subject to our Terms of Use, including a specific disclaimer. It may also be subject to a Creative Commons license that you should read and understand before making use of information you find here or posting to this area.


