Located outside San Jose, Costa Rica, Containers of Hope offers a bold model for sustainable, low-cost living. Designed by Benjamin Garcia Saxe of Studio Saxe, this 100m² home repurposes two shipping containers. It combines affordability, climate resilience, and elegant simplicity—hallmarks of a successful container home Costa Rica solution.
Transforming Industrial Waste into Inspired Living
The Peralta family wanted a tranquil, debt-free life near nature and their horses. Containers of Hope delivered that vision. Built from two recycled shipping containers, the staggered layout offers dual views—sunrise on one side, sunset on the other. This orientation brings in light and maximises ventilation.
Between the containers, a central breezeway forms beneath a recycled metal roof. The panels were cut from the containers to create windows. This breezeway provides cross-ventilation, removing the need for air conditioning. As a result, the home breathes naturally with its surroundings.
Importantly, the project cost only $40,000 USD—less than Costa Rica’s subsidised social housing. In doing so, it proves that smart design can outperform conventional approaches. It also challenges assumptions about what low-cost housing can be.
Designing for Climate and Cost in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s tropical climate demands smart, passive solutions. Containers of Hope uses shading, cross-ventilation, and strategic orientation. These features keep the home cool year-round without mechanical systems. Consequently, running costs remain low, while comfort stays high.
Studio Saxe approaches each project with sensitivity to climate and place. Their work blends local materials, cultural awareness, and global design tools. Containers of Hope illustrates this philosophy. It shows how container home Costa Rica solutions can adapt to diverse needs—especially where cost and climate are major concerns.
Rather than hiding the shipping containers, the design highlights them. This honesty creates visual interest while celebrating reuse. Each element serves a purpose, from operable windows to shaded outdoor spaces. These decisions show how container home designs can be efficient, beautiful, and environmentally responsible.
Studio Saxe: Innovation Rooted in Place
Studio Saxe, founded in 2004 by Benjamin Garcia Saxe, merges innovation with tradition. Based in San Jose, the firm is known for fusing architecture with nature. Their portfolio spans urban and rural projects, but all share a clear mission: to design spaces that elevate life while preserving the planet.
In Containers of Hope, that mission takes form. Studio Saxe used digital tools and hand-crafted methods. They responded to the land’s needs and the client’s vision. As a result, the home becomes more than shelter—it becomes a living connection to place.
The self-build nature of the project gave the Peralta family agency. They helped shape the home’s construction, making it truly theirs. This hands-on approach supports deeper community ties and shared ownership.
Moreover, the project demonstrates that container home designs are scalable. What worked for one family can apply to many. From first-time buyers to rural communities, the model offers flexibility, efficiency, and beauty.
As global interest in affordable, sustainable housing grows, Containers of Hope continues to inspire. It breaks away from conventional forms. It embraces reuse and minimalism. Above all, it shows how creative thinking can address pressing housing needs.
Courtesy Of: Arch Daily, Benjamin Garcia Saxe
Photos: © Andres Garcia Lachner
Love it!!
very interrested in designs , looking 2 build 1 in new zealand this year, would appreciate any info