Cintron Container House

This fantastic container house seems to almost shoot out of the hilltop it’s perched on, offering incredible views of the surrounding mountains and ocean. Set on a little over half an acre of property in the small town of Uvita, Costa Rica, this home is just 400 meters away from the coastal highway but feels miles away from the worries of city life.

Four 40ft shipping containers clad with cement board are combined with traditional construction to form this modern house. The containers are paired together and form two wings on the second floor, while the first floor is made of steel and concrete as is typical for Costa Rica.

If you had to summarize this stylish home with one word, it would probably be “open”. The main, public spaces are tall, bright, and free from visual obstructions. Instead, it’s just you and the sweeping views through huge windows on all sides.

With grand, sliding glass doors on both sides of the living room, the boundaries between inside and outside truly disappear. And on cool days, one can just imagine the ocean breezes you can catch on the hilltop location.

The interior design is primarily characterized by a white color palette, accented with touches of gray concrete, clear glass, stainless steel, and our favorite, warm wood. In fact, wood is used throughout the home to bring a softness to what might otherwise feel a bit sterile. The dining room table, the coffee table legs, and even a few freestanding artistic wood pieces all bring life to the living room. And look at how one of the bathrooms combines an organically shaped sink with a live-edge wooden counter.

The sleek, modern kitchen is just to the side of the living room, but still completely open despite a lower ceiling for a cozier feel. A huge island provides plenty of bar seating, while stainless steel appliances stand out prominently against the white cabinetry and countertops.

How about the staircase to the second floor, with treads that cantilever out from the wall and completely adorned in white from top to bottom. It opens up to a catwalk on the second floor with views of the living room from above, both custom touches that you won’t see in more budget-focused container homes. 

The master bedroom is huge, the width of two containers, and with the same view as the poolside deck below. And the ensuite bathroom has a shower with two ceiling-mounted showerheads that is big enough for a locker room.

This is a house that was clearly built with entertainment in mind, with plenty of room to entertain guests inside or out. With a living room that opens up to the hillside swimming pool and patio, is the perfect place to unwind while enjoying the breathtakingly natural view. 

Overall, the interior quality of this home really evokes a sense of luxury. And the design aesthetic is modern and yet practical in a way that makes complete use of this unique property’s views. 

Containers aren’t the showpiece in this home, but rather subtle backgrops. Their dark, corrugated sheet metal provides a texture and contrast to the smooth white that fills much of the rest of the home. And their structural strength allows for some cantilevers in the design that make the home all the more unique.