When we decided to move to Costa Rica, our original plan was for 6 of us (known then as The Aspiring Expats), to settle on the Caribbean Coast. We were to buy land, build and live in 4 sustainable living, self-sufficient off-the-grid container homes with a common area hub in the center, with plans to expand into a larger container community at a later date!
Five Year Look Back
August 3, 2015
At our last several weekly meetings, we have been discussing housing options using alternative construction based on repurposed shipping containers thus reducing environmental impact. Since we will all be downsizing to make the move to Costa Rica, the container home will challenge us to be effcient. We wanted to come up with a relatively inexpensive plan for sustainable housing in a community setting so that we could all live in close proximity to one another. Materials will be renewable, reusable or recyclable. We also plan to utilize solar and incorporate a pool.
Abron, the architect set out to draw up the sketches, which he presented to us on Sunday.
We were all pretty impressed and we will begin the search for land (and that perfect spot) when we are in Costa Rica in July 2016.
Besides providing food, the roof top terrace also helps to keep the dwelling cool by blocking sunlight from hitting the metal container directly.
OMG! I wish I had know you all back then. I'm a Tico from the Limon Province and could have saved you a lot of grief. I'd be writing a small book to warn you of all that while well meaning, the venture was doomed to fail. There are so many issues, but to name a few on top of the list would be climate and culture.
Metal containers in a lush Caribbean climate means heat and rust. It's not just the oppressive humidity it's lots of rain, sun, and salt. You would be better building wooden homes using renewable resources like local wood and bamboo. Culturally, you could have also used local talent that have generations of experience understand…
So, are you still going to look into building a container home community? That would be so cool. I love container homes and want to live in one myself.