A Modern Take on the Container House for a Weekend Home
The concept of container homes and accommodations isn’t new. However, it’s still interesting to see how designers take it to new heights. A recently completed weekend home in Thailand serves as a great example. Featuring a refreshing open layout and clever use of several shipping containers, this modern yet cozy home is perfect for rest and relaxation in the countryside.
Architect Tung Jai Ork Baab said that the Container Cabin at OOST Kampville site was once an empty rice field. It sits in a low, flood-prone area in Nakhon Nayok province, just two hours away from Bangkok. To address this, they dug a small reservoir next to the land area dedicated to the house and the garden nearby.
In the early stages of planning, the owner wanted it to be a flexible space. The design should encourage its use as private vacation rentals for families with children. The architects used pre-fabrication as the construction method due to limited local contractors and skilled construction workers. Shipping containers, 20 feet in size, then became the main materials for the indoor space of the container house.
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For the key idea, the architects wanted to create a getaway destination that connects the outdoor with the indoor space. It also became their guide for the spatial configuration of the house. Two containers connected by a third one above created the semi-outdoor main/common area. The other side contains the dining room and pantry. The second level is a private space with its own viewing deck.
Next, they had to address the problem of heat transfer in the tropical climate. For this, the architects incorporated an A-frame roof structure. This served as the shading component of the container cabin. The translucent portion in the middle allows natural light to reach the middle deck. Meanwhile, the lower part of the roof is a steel plate louver that protects against the rain and sunlight. However, it still lets wind flow through the house for ventilation.
Finally, an outdoor kitchen and BBQ deck sit next to the container, followed by a detached bedroom. Beside it is the swimming pool and deck. This, in turn is next to the man-made reservoir where residents and visitors can go boat paddling. The myriad of visual experiences and activities that this modern container house provides make it a perfect weekend getaway or long-term vacation destination.
Photography by Art Chitsanupong
