Small Footprint, Tropical Soul: A 20-Foot Container Home in Paraty, Brazil

In the historic coastal town of Paraty, Brazil, a striking example of minimalist architecture has taken shape: a fully functional home built from a 20-foot shipping container. This compact dwelling demonstrates how thoughtful design, sustainable materials, and careful spatial planning can transform a small footprint into a meaningful living environment—perfectly suited to both its tropical surroundings and contemporary lifestyles.

20 ft Shipping Container Home with Space-Saving Furniture

Space-saving furniture

Floor plans

Construction process

About Bernardo Horta Arquiteto

About Cont.Loc

Project	Casulo studio
Architecture	Bernardo Horta Arquiteto, Meius Arquitetura (Guilherme Jose and Giulianno Camatta) and Pedro Lodi
Customization	Cont.Loc
Area	15 sq m (160 sq ft)
Containers	One 20 ft
Photography	Jomar Braganca
Location	Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Year	2015

Description by architects

Concept: The Casulo studio is a changeable space, included in a 20 ft shipping container, where we want to demonstrate how flexible inhabiting can be today. With this, the project allows different “faces” from the same fixed furniture. What we want is a space that is palpable and lived by the user, a space that can be touched and unfolded, not just with a simple look, but with individual curiosity. We imagine an interactive and living place. The idea is that through simple systems new layouts are established providing the use of the environment for different activities. From a living space, a barbershop or even a small residence.

Construction: With the emergence of new construction technologies, the container appears as a new alternative. Basically, its structure is composed of a 20 ft shipping container, which, without proper work, is a dark and unventilated environment. The customization of containers is relatively fast, and many companies make projects aimed at commerce, homes and offices, as it is a construction system that is easy to expand, through a modular system of units that significantly expands the structures.

01. At first, the container underwent a general customization, opening cuts in its walls to make the space more airy. At that time, thermal and acoustic insulation was also carried out using glass wool (recyclable pet), which are placed in the form of a sandwich, between the structure and wooden boards. In these spans, a passage is created for the placement of electrical tubes and hydro-sanitary pipes.
02. The other stage consisted of the internal division of the environment, creating the bathroom and possible programmatic areas. To make the use of space in a more versatile and adaptable way, a changeable piece of space-saving furniture (containing several functions) was designed. That furniture would be formed according to the user's need.

Materials and solutions: An alternating mesh of pallets was used to cover the deck. The pallet is a wooden platform used for moving materials in large quantities. In addition to being more economical than common wood, pallets can be assembled and disassembled as needed and, in the event of a change, all the material can be reused. The choice of the ferrule coating was due to the low cost of this material and the ease of installation. The ferrule plate is produced by gluing thin layers (leaves) of wood. The material has high potential for forest management, due to its rapid growth and abundance of regeneration. The PET Wool used on the walls is an ecologically correct thermal and acoustic insulator, coming from recycled material. Sustainability is its biggest advantage, since it is produced from recycled PET bottles, without the addition of resins, without the use of water or carbon emissions during the process. For the landscaping of the environment, we chose to use only native vegetation. The use of native vegetation brings numerous advantages, and it is important to highlight the suitability of these plants to our climate, their resistance to possible pest attacks and also contribute to the diversification of fauna (being food for local animals).

Shipping Container Restaurant with Inner Courtyard, Brazil

Floor plans / drawings

Location and contact info

About Bernardo Horta Arquiteto

Architecture	Bernardo Horta Arquiteto, Meius Arquitetura, Zargos Arquitetos
Collaborators	Debora Camargos, Joao Pedro Lacerda, Rodrigo Pereira
Area	78 sq m (840 sq ft)
Containers	Four 40 ft
Manufacturers	Cosentino, A3 Marmores, Espaco 670, JP Marcenaria, Oppa, Suvinil, Tenue Origamis, Torino Moveis planejados, iluminar
Photography	Henrique Queiroga
Location	Lagoa Santa, Brazil
Year	2016

Description by architects

The project is based on a simple line of reasoning: open the container for the public and thus invite them to enjoy the space. The colors and combinations complement each other: woods, metals, threads, light, black and red; complementary contradictory elements receive the individual. The main element is the wood that melts the environments creating a continuous space, where the interior and exterior are mixed, adding everything in a coherent way.

The kitchen, in red, superimposes the neutrality of the external colors, attracting attention beyond the space called social and coexistence. In the presumption of a visual impact, the individual is drawn to the base where the services take place: the heart of the restaurant. Finally, the urban art in the external canteen integrates the elements of the bar into the environment, providing all the miscegenation and spatial singularity of the project.

As every shipping container has its industrial air intrinsic to its shape and characteristics, our option was the most attractive for the local public.

Our inspiration was integration, which was achieved through a large opening (front facade to the inner courtyard), bringing the outside in. When we observed that all the environments projected by us would be complementary, we saw the need for this integration.

The main environment was treated in such a way that the wood of the floor covering is also the same for the internal chairs and for the lining (providing the connection). The bar, located in front of the container, will have the same language since we reuse its cutting can to make the wrapper. At the end of it all, we wanted to bring an environment that was a bit more vivid to the space, a place that is usually left in the background or treated as a service, the kitchen. This was painted with warm and strong colors, so that it was not just a common form, but a place of experience and curiosity (the kitchen will work serving the shipping container restaurant).

Purunã Observatory - Shipping Container Educational Astronomy Science Building

Floor plans / Drawings

About Bruno Zaitter

Project	Observatório Purunã (Purunã Observatory)
Architects	Bruno Zaitter architect
Area	45 m²
Containers	1 x 40 ft and 1 x 20 ft
Year	2020
Location	Balsa Nova, Brazil
Manufacturers	Berneck, Blue Glass, Gerdal, Monte Claro Woods

Description by the project team. 

The Purunã Observatory, located in the Metropolitan Region of the city of Curitiba, is a space designed to view the universe in a didactic way. This is a dream of a photographer who loves space and its natural phenomena.

Built in just 38 days, this project has a large part of donated materials. Among these materials, two shipping containers (a 12 meter shipping container and another 6 meter long shipping container) were used as a structural solution for fast, clean and economical construction.

Inside the 6 meter long shipping container there is an exclusive space for a telescope. Right in front of you there is a concrete deck to slide the machinery, and then you can view the sky in full. In the 12 meter long container, there is a classroom and a dormitory for two people, both equipped with a sanitary installation.

The wooden deck and roof are used to enhance the experience of watching the stars and everything else that the sky has. The east, west and south façades are completely lined with planks of high claved pine wood. However, the north façade reveals the use of shipping containers as a shelter amid local agriculture.

50 sqm 1 Bedroom Prefab Shipping Container Houses, Brazil

Refúgio da Cainã

Refúgio do Bosque

Refúgio do Purunã

About Hotel Fazenda Cainã

About Bruno Zaitter

3 Story 2 Bedroom Shipping Container Elevated House, Brazil

Drawings/Floor plans

About Casa Container Marília - Arquitetura

Project: The Hanging House
Architects: Casa Container Marília
Area: 257 m² (2766 ft²)
Containers: 6
Bedrooms: 2
Stories: 3
Year: 2019
Location: Campos Novos Paulista, Brazil
Photographs: Celso Mellani
Suppliers: Gerdau Corsa, Saint-Gobain, AutoDesk, Docol, Lumion
Architect In Charge: Daniel Assuane Duarte
Responsible Architect: Daniel Assuane Duarte, Nadia Barros Assuane
Project Team: Daniel Assuane Duarte, Nadia Barros Assuane
Engineering: Casa Container Marília
Collaborators: Cocchi Engenharia

The Hanging House was named because it is elevated from the natural ground level of the site where it was located. This is because this 2 bedroom shipping container house is surrounded by native trees, so the windows are level with the treetops and the balconies blend with the branches. In addition, the soil remains original, preserving drainage and root dynamics, which were not impaired because the minimum of concrete was used in the foundations. The premise of the project was a country house that was integrated with the local ecosystem, with sustainability and recyclability. For this reason, the construction system with recycled shipping containers was adopted. In total, 80% of the materials are recycled. Internally, demolition wood predominates on the walls and ceiling. Green roof with reuse of rainwater, thermal and acoustic insulation are also the highlights of the house.

The purpose of occupying the property is as a country house. Internally, we favor the common areas of the 3 story shipping container house, living spaces, leisure and balconies. In total there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The shipping container elevated house has no television or wifi system. To inhabit it, the rule is to disconnect and enjoy what nature and family life provide. Two wooden deck balconies provide interaction with native trees and fantastic views of rural Campos Novos Paulista, Brazil.

The implantation of the 3 story shipping container elevated house under the trees provides shade throughout the day, and the local winds combined with the wall insulation system provide excellent thermal comfort within the residence.

Metal pillars make the support of the house. The "v" system provides concrete savings and base area by generating a single base for two supports. The foundations are shallow because the weight of the house is relatively light and the ground is firm.

The green roof is of the modular type, which makes maintenance easy. It has a rainwater storage system to minimize the need for irrigation. This system provides greater thermal comfort inside the 2 bedroom shipping container elevated house and integrates it even further with nature.




The internal divisions are made of demolition wood. In addition to being a recycled material, it avoids the use of internal paint, since it already has its own finish. All the walls of the 2 bedroom shipping container house are insulated with a thermoacoustic blanket for greater thermal comfort. The environments have cross ventilation and wide openings for air exchange and thermal comfort. The 3 story shipping container house does not have an air conditioning system and remains pleasant even on the hottest days in São Paulo. The internal doors of the first floor of the shipping container house are made with reused plates from the cutouts of the containers, minimizing excess material.

The final residue of the work was reused in 70%, basically summarized in remains of wood and steel.

Industrial Style Shipping Container House/Garage/Gallery

Industrial style, works of art and collections on display fill the environments with personality

Drawings

About SuperLimao Studio

Design	SuperLimao Studio, Gabriela Coelho
Area	1800 m²
Year	2017
Location	São Paulo, Brazil
Photos	Maíra Acayaba
Lighting	LDArti
Landscaping	Teco Landscaping
MEP	Guimaro e Associados
Hydraulic Engineering	Proasp
Structural Engineering	Stec Engenharia
Metal Structure Construction	Skylight
Coordination	Fabio Carone
Construction company	Sigla Construtora

The project consists of a large gallery to accommodate the items of a collector of cars and arts, where the space itself is configured as an object of its collection. The industrial style shipping container house includes a garage for cars, exhibition galleries for the most diverse collections, family office, atelier / workshop, gym and kennel. Developed by SuperLimão in partnership with architect Gabriela Coelho, it has as its starting point an industrial architecture, designed in modules of maritime containers and metallic structures.

An important feature that differentiates the project from what we are used to see in shipping containers is that it is fully adapted to Brazilian climate, using passive techniques as much as possible to maximize energy efficiency, and taking advantage of the reuse of materials, such as shipping containers themselves . All environments have windows at three different heights, which allow not only cross ventilation, but also optimize convection on days without wind. The external walls received ceramic paint, which together with the green roof, create a great thermal inertia that keeps the indoor environment pleasant even without the use of conditioning equipment. All areas have natural lighting, either through windows or skylights.

The implantation, based on the project, accommodates connections and fields of vision on different levels, since intermediate gardens connect the 3 main floors: street level, ground floor and garden slab. The ground floor layout consists of ten interlaced containers forming a central axis. The roofs were reinforced to receive gardens in such a way that, looked at in plan, the project mimics the surroundings and looks like a large square. However, in reality, the containers, as well as adjacent slabs, were arranged at different levels, and windows allow the view between these areas, which is when the floor becomes a roof and vice versa creating a spatial experience worthy of Escher's engravings.

The main connection of the shipping containers creates a large central circulation axis that was treated as a gallery. In the internal walls, a metal grid was developed, which can receive wooden panels or expanded plate, creating great flexibility in the way of exhibiting the collections. The Corten steel sheet walls, as well as the original floor of the containers have been restored and left in plain sight. The workshop was covered with OSB sheets that allow the fixing of tools and machinery.

The office is formed by four containers and between them there is a free area directly connected to the garage, where it is possible through a car lift to expose one of the models bringing the collection for the day. The garage is a large gap, supported by only two pillars which optimizes the exposure of the cars. In the center, a rotator assists in day-to-day maneuvers, allowing easy access to the cars, facilitating use and maintenance.

The concrete curtains were left on display, as well as the reinforced metal structure and infrastructure of the facilities. The entrance is closed by a sliding gate with perforated screen and the bottom is open and has a slope completely covered with plants, which allows good natural lighting and ventilation, even when it is semi-buried. The external floor is completely permeable, and was made with monolithic drainage material that does not use expansion joints. The industrial style shipping container house has rainwater reuse as well as a large capacity cistern. The water tank, which is a tank container placed in an upright position.




The landscaping was created with different biomes in mind, so that in the lower levels we have a more dense and tropical vegetation and in the coverage that has a high incidence of sun, the vegetation is more arid and helps the microclimate.

The luminotechnical project prioritized expographic alternatives, in order to enhance the exposed pieces and at the same time create great flexibility.

2x20 ft Shipping Container House with Roof Deck, Brazil

Drawings

About Mégui Dal Bó Arquiteta

About Saymon Dall Alba Arquiteto

Architects: Mégui Dal Bó Arquiteta, Saymon Dall Alba Arquiteto
Area: 34 m²
Containers: 2x20 ft
Location: Cambará do Sul, Brazil
Photographs: Guilherme Jordani
Suppliers: Adobe, AutoDesk, CasaSerra, Giacomet, Lizt Decor, Persol, Trimble
Lead Architect: Saymon Dall Alba
Responsible Architects: Architect Urb. Mégui Pezzi Dal Bó
Project Team: Arch. Urb. Saymon Rech Dall Alba, Arch. Urb. Mégui Pezzi Dal Bó, Arch. Urb. Bárbara Fernandes Dall Alba, Arch. Urb. David Thomas Simpson, Arch. Urb. Angélica Ravizzoni Veronese, Amanda Marcolin (academic architecture)

The architectural project of the 2x20 ft  shipping container house with roof deck is based on the conception of an industrialized modular construction, with two monolithic volumes, each of the two shipping containers with 20 feet joined in parallel, with a total of 34m² of area in each set. Starting from the concept of Tiny House, within the culture that combines detachment, sustainability, less generation of waste and curb exacerbated consumerism, the containers follow the idea of ​​mini homes, where guest has all the comforts and technology in a small space.




In the conception of this project, considering the use of ecological materials, saving natural resources, reducing construction time and preserving the natural profile of the land, it was decided to use shipping containers as the main element of the project. Additionally, reducing construction resources like water, sand, gravel, cement, brick, and iron means saving natural resources, leaving the construction site clean, and not generating waste. Considerable savings were made in the cost of the foundations and their impact on the terrain profile, since the lightweight metal frame allowed the use of small, insulated shoes without the need for reinforcement.

Compact kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, electric oven, coffee maker, and other appliances alongside natural wood dining table with locksmith legs, is integrated into living room. Thinking about the cold of the city, the wood-burning fireplace creates an atmosphere of warmth. In addition, air conditioning and a gas heater increase the comfort.

The premises of the shipping container house with roof deck were the conception of a refuge where guests could enjoy the best view of the nearby landscape, so that large openings in strategic places create frames in the landscape. The large glazed space opens onto the porch, a breakthrough in the structure created with the doors of the original container and a precast concrete deck. These windows received horizontal blinds, which work as brises by regulating the entry of natural light. Artificial lighting was developed through metal cable trays with LED spotlights and lamps, creating stage effects and highlighting rustic brick wallpaper and natural wood carvings on the walls.

As the roof of the containers was evident, a layer of expanded polyurethane was applied on top, to waterproof and guarantee thermal and acoustic comfort. It also received a 10 cm concrete layer and finally synthetic grass, thus creating a terrace that can be accessed by a sailor's ladder. The main access is indented and is made through the door of the original container. The project was developed for Airbnb, and with aware of the constant changes in places of interest and tourism, the shipping container house with roof deck can be quickly moved to another place.

Casa Conteiner RD - 3 Bedroom Shipping Container Home, Brazil

Floor plans

About KS arquitetos

Project: Casa Conteiner RD
Architects: KS arquitetos
Bedrooms: 3
Location: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Area: 350 sqm (3767 qsft)
Year: 2018
Photographs: Marcelo Donadussi
Manufacturers: Deca, Docol, Eliane, Beaulieu
Structural project: Manuel Barreras
Collaboration: Helmut Radke, Fabiano Sturmer
Precast structures: ASPM
Metal structures: Radke Industrial Solutions
Finishes: Elevato
Furniture: Radke Industrial Solutions

Casa Conteiner RD 3 Bedroom Shipping Container Home is born from the intimacy of its owner with metallic structures: metallurgist by profession, dreamed of acting in the construction of his own house, together with his team, putting into practice industrial solutions in a context of conventional works. The idea of ​​reusing and reframing shipping containers, which are ready-made and highly resistant structures, went straight to the will of the architectural firm to develop an unusual project.

Another major factor that guided the choice of materials was the optimization of the work, both in time and ease of assembly processes, differing greatly from traditional masonry and reinforced concrete. In principle, the use of shipping containers in constructions happens in very rational propositions, side by side or stacked, due to the ease of handling these modules.




Starting from the great structural potential that each container has, the formal concept of Casa Conteiner RD emerged: stacked but rotated structures, promoting great balances and unusual moments. The inspiration came during a survey when designers saw an iconic image of a large ship, full of containers, all piled up in disarray.

The 3 bedroom shipping container home is located in a hill of Porto Alegre, one of the highest points in the city. The landscape unfolds through the large windows towards a preservation area next to the lot, in the swinging and rotating volume of the master suite overlooks the Guaíba River and its unforgettable sunset. Various locations of containers in different directions  provides different landscape views. In addition to the orientation and location aspects, the lot has more design issues than commonly found in urban lots.

Its shape has allowed all these rotating movements to happen so that the house's implantation does not come so close to the lot borders. The 3 bedroom shipping container home is comfortably set apart, maintaining family intimacy despite so many exterior openings that provide cross ventilation.

The land also has a steep slope, configuring a half-ground floor, where is the garage / workshop located. This volume, due to the contact with the ground, was made in precast concrete structure, keeping the standard and industrial logic of the construction. In the facades, it was decided to take advantage of the aesthetics of the shipping container itself, keeping the metallic structure apparent. Even the main entrance door of the residence is made with two original doors of shipping containers.

Internally, to ensure thermo-acoustic quality, the walls and ceilings were covered with plasterboard, while flooring, after leveling with OSB plates and smoothing layer, received vinyl flooring. Some inner walls reveal the raw structure, keeping and remembering that the unusual house is a large tower of overlapping shipping containers.

White Minimalist Shipping Container Home

Video

About Marilia Pellegrini

Architecture	Marilia Pellegrini
Project	Cosentino Container House (Casa Contêiner Cosentino)
Area	60 m²
Containers	2x40 ft
Photos	Alexandre Disaro

Marilia Pellegrini's project was featured at CASACOR SP 2019 and competes in the Architecture Single Residence category of the International Property Awards

Marília Pellegrini's project for CASACOR São Paulo 2019 was the Brazilian project chosen to participate in the International Property Awards, in the Architecture Single Residence category.

The Cosentino Container House, one of the highlights of the show, underscores the truth of the excellent materials and finishes, without excesses, bringing a cozy home from a minimalist point of view. Two containers were docked to form the 60 m² house. It is complete with integrated living, kitchen and laundry facilities as well as a comfortable bedroom with bathroom. The unusual choice of structure had the premise of sustainability: it promotes a clean, fast, dry construction with 100% reuse. In addition, it brings mobility as it can be transported without major difficulties.

Brise soleil around the box control the brightness without interrupting the view of the landscape. The patio complements the living area, adding 40 m², bringing architecture and nature closer.




Bedroom, living room and bathroom are organically interconnected with the corridor. The continuous illuminated strip helps to connect the spaces. Built into the liner, it does not compromise the clean look. At the same time, the natural textures of light wood and fabrics leave the cozy resting environment. Delicacy that surprises when you are in a container.

Modular 4 x 40' Shipping Container Office, Brazil

Floor plans

About Rodrigo Kirck Architecture

About Hunter Douglas Brazil

Project	The Container Project
Architects	Rodrigo Kirck Architecture
Containers	4 x 40 ft HC
Location	R. Tubarão, 182 - Fazenda, Itajaí - SC, 88301-470, Brazil
Area	135 sqm
Year	2016
Photos	Alexandre Zelinski
Manufacturers	Hunter Douglas Brazil, Tramontina, Todeschini, Eternit, Portobello, Mosarte

Description by the project team

The Container Project, located in the port city of Itajaí (SC), aims to intervene on a conceptual model, interact with sustainability issues, propose an industrialized modular construction and at the same time make possible, through architecture and creativity, the approximation with the nature and art.

The project has two monolithic warehouse volumes, each using two overlapping containers, by a zenith opening system that "distances" the volumes and houses the vertical circulations. This system is designed to reduce the use of artificial lighting. On the shipping containers there are installed two large garden roofs that fulfill several functions: reduce the impact of solar radiation, capture rainwater for reuse and be a reservoir of rainwater, reducing the impact on the public collection system. They also propose to the neighbors as an "urban gentleness", bringing colors and visual comfort to the residents of the neighboring buildings.

Container is a laboratory. In this space full of meanings, were shared memories with a team of architects and add experiences with other creative professionals in design, photography and art through a coworking. The result of this is a true multiplication of inspirations translated into projects. Everything in Container has a raison d'être, from the logo that mentions the architect's indigenous origin, to the affective ties that it maintains with the city of Itajaí and its connection with the naval industry, represented by the container itself.

In the interior design, everything is very simple and at the same time of great refinement. Warmth, thermal comfort, visual and integration are priorities that receive special treatment through the decoration. Luminaires with their own design, functional parts, recycled materials, colors in harmony and art, a lot of art printed in all environments. No paintings, paintings are eternalized on the walls and doors, each work integrates the scenario that leaves no doubts: Container is a creative office and from it come different projects, out of the common place, where being is more important than having.

3 Story Shipping Container House with Inner Courtyard

About Thi Lima 3D

Design	Thi Lima 3D
Project	Mondo Cubico Hostel
Year	2013

Software used in this 3D rendering:

3ds Max
V-Ray
Photoshop
Octane Render

3 Bedroom Shipping Container Home Design, Brazil

4x40ft containers home

Floor plan

About Danilo Corbas

Architect	Danilo Corbas
Area	196 sqm (2100 sqft)
Containers	4x40 ft HC
Location	Granja Viana, Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil
Year	2011
Photos	Plínio Dondon

Residents, who live with comfort in the first Brazilian shipping container home, are the architect Danilo Corbas, his wife and, of course, his dogs and cats.

When visiting his in-laws, who lived on a catamaran in Salvador, the architect Danilo Corbas, founder of the Container Box, had his first insight into alternative homes, assembled with minimal spaces and not bricks and cement.

From then on came various references, such as the European experiences with containers and a conversation with the wife's father, who worked on oil rigs and often slept in such accommodation. The result: The house Danilo would do for him would be in a container, or rather four.




"I was in search of a change of lifestyle, I lived in São Paulo, in the agitation of Vila Madalena, and then I found this land in Granja Viana and only had to negotiate with my wife, who is art director and soon idea!", says the architect who chose to work with the contrast between the tranquility of the region and the industrial style of his new project - the first of its kind in Brazil.

In total, four 40-foot sea containers were used, each one being 12 m long and 2.90 m high. In total the 3 bedroom shipping container home occupies 196 m² of the 860 m² of land. There are two floors in which are distributed three bedrooms, living room, dining room with integrated kitchen, office, three bathrooms, laundry area, covered garage and balconies.

In addition to its innovative character, the project also has a sustainable appeal, since it uses obsolete containers, reusing a material that is difficult to dispose of and saving resources such as sand, brick, cement, water and iron - which consequently reduces the amount of rubble generated by work.

The container house still encourages, at least indirectly, the increase of the green area, since to plant trees around the house and to install a green roof, actions are almost necessary to ameliorate the heat conditions caused by the structure.

With this in mind, the project still takes special care with windows to ensure cross ventilation of the house and decrease the use of air conditioning.

Already when the subject is style and decoration, the 3 bedroom shipping container home asked for an industrial décor and it was not a problem.

According to Danilo, his only regret is not daring more, "today I think we could have used less coating and left more parts of the structure to show," says the architect who developed all the techniques for executing the project from scratch and today is a specialist in which has already finalized about 10 other projects of the type.

Description by the project team. 

The structure of the shipping container home consists of four 40-foot High Cube containers (12 m x 2.90 m high)

Located in a land of 860 m2, in a residential condominium in Granja Viana, in Cotia (SP), the shipping container house has 196 m2 of constructed area, distributed in two floors. There are 3 bedroom, living room, dining room and integrated gourmet kitchen, office, three bathrooms, laundry area, covered garage and balconies.




Several ecologically correct resources are foreseen in the project and should generate a significant saving of natural resources and electric energy:

• Reuse of materials for house structure: disused maritime containers. Besides using discarded noble material, the use of container generates savings of natural resources that were not used for the structure of the house, such as sand, brick, cement, water, iron etc. This means a cleaner work, with reduction of debris and other materials.
• Economy in the foundation and reduction in the use of materials. The light weight of the metal structure allowed the use of light foundation, small and shallow.
• Preservation of trees on the ground and landscape design to help shade the building and minimize excessive heat.
• Reuse of rainwater. It will be captured by the roof, stored and filtered in its own reservoir, for use in garden irrigation, external cleaning, car washing and washing machine.
• Cross ventilation. Windows and openings will be used to avoid the use of air conditioning, one of the major consumers of electricity.
• Green roof. Part of the cover will have vegetation to aid in the thermal insulation of the container.
• Polyurethane sandwich panels, for better thermal performance of the house; in white color to reflect the solar rays and contribute to the temperature decrease of the local microclimate.
• Energy efficiency: use of lighting in LEDs.
• Avoiding waste. Metals manufactured by Roca with flow limiters and water temperature, which prevents waste by up to 50%.
• Use of PET insulation, thermal insulation made from PET bottles, from Trisoft, which received the "Planeta Casa 2010" award in the building materials category.
• Eco-friendly paint: water-based paint, unscented, manufactured by Sherwin-Williams, with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Pocket House - 30 sqm House Inside Shipping Container, Brazil

Designed by Cristina Menezes, the Pocket House transforms a 40-foot shipping container into a fully functional 30-square-meter residence. Located in Belo Horizonte, the project emphasizes mobility, sustainability, and efficient use of space. Large sliding glass doors, a flexible outdoor deck, movable furnishings, and extensive natural lighting help the compact home feel open and comfortable while maintaining the ability to be relocated when needed.

About Cristina Menezes

Project: Pocket House
Design: Cristina Menezes Arquitetura e Decoracao
Location: Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Year: 2013
Area: 30 sqm
Photogapher: Jomar Braganca




Brazil company Cristina Menezes Arquitetura e Decoracao created a 30 sqm house inside shipping container, "Pocket House". The project includes an architecture with the principles of mobility and sustainability. The existing civil work was the base for the shipping container. The rest of the work was only installation. In fact, this part of construction was very important, because the container should have the ability to be transported at any time to any place, without any inconvenience. Only furniture and decor elements will be transported separately. The measurements of the shipping container are standardized, and the container of the Pocket House is the 40-foot shipping container that is 12.20m x 2.44m, externally. Internally, after the installation of the structure with flooring and interior finish, the final measurements were 11.80m x 2.34m. Due to the small width, the first change we made to visually minimize this narrowing was to cut the long side to fit glass sliding doors. So we can have an amplitude and an integration with the external area! These large glass doors assist in ventilation and natural lighting. Steel side of the container was used as a deck structure that we created to have an extension of social space and a place for leisure activities. All the furniture is easy to move allowing you to use the deck as an extension of the living room and kitchen. The kitchen equipment is movable and electric and you can use it on the deck. For this purpose the outlet points for water and sewer were created on the deck.

For walls, ceiling and floor only one material was used: Ipe wood. Thus, we don't have the color and texture separation of what is floor, wall and ceiling and sense of amplitude increases. The bathroom walls are made of glass for lighter weight and less space. A translucent printing on the glass provides privacy between the living room and the bathroom. LED lighting enhances this interior design. For the acoustic insulation, we use a specific paint for this purpose on the steel side walls of the container.

This project allows you to have a 30 sqm house inside shipping container with kitchen, dining table, living room, bedroom and bathroom. This is sustainability! This is a new and current concept of living!

Decameron - Low Budget Colorful Shipping Container Store, Brazil

This ISO container building was designed and built of six ISO containers and existing double height hangar structure, taking advantage of the cubic volume and the linearity of the container spaces. Huge sliding polycarbonate doors connect the building with an inner garden and the city.

Drawings

About Studio MK27

Project: Decameron
Design: Studio MK27
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Containers: 6
Site area: 540 sqm
Built area: 250 sqm
Architect: Marcio Kogan
Co-architects: Mariana Simas
Architecture team: Danilo Terra, Maria Cristina Motta, Oswaldo Pessano, Pedro Tuma
Interiors team: Diana Radomysler
Landscape designer: Renata Tilli
Structure engineer: Pouguett Engenharia e Projetos
General contractor: Terra Gaia
Project year: May 2008
Completion year: January 2011
Photographer: Pedro Vannucchi




In a trendy spot on the most popular decoration street in the city, Gabriel Monteiro da Silva Mall, the last empty lot remained.

The client rented the land and instructed the architect to develop a very low-cost project, something that could be quickly built, respecting the existing trees.

The idea was to use shipping containers, reuse a finished object, a surplus from the current intense exchange of goods.

The project was organized into two container tunnels, taking advantage of the linearity of their internal spaces, and a double-height hangar connected to them, a contrasting cubic volume. Huge polycarbonate sliding doors connect the store with the city and an internal garden.