A Sustainable Sanctuary in Brazil: The Borges Container House
Set amidst the vast expanse of Gondwana Organic Buffalo Mozzarella Farm in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, lies the Borges Container House, a stunning private residence which blends modern design and integration with the natural surrounding . Built by Rafael and Ana Borges and designed by Jorge Siemsen, This bespoke shipping container home in São Paulo is made of 2 shipping containers with an almost 1400 square foot living area. This home embraces repurposed materials and seamless integration with its environment, creating a space that feels both grounded and contemporary.
An Innovative Fusion of Materials
Approaching the Borges Container House, you’re immediately struck by its unique construction—a harmonious blend of shipping containers, masonry, and locally sourced materials.
This hybrid construction home features masonry walls in the kitchen and service areas with re-purposed stones and brick harvested on the farm from previously demolished construction.
Both during the early evening and at night, the use of shipping containers gives a striking look that manages to blend well with the surroundings.
A small house for a family of this size? Not in the Borges family’s view. They’ve always embraced the idea of living in a smaller space, believing that true quality of life comes from simplicity rather than excess. The design of the house was meant to feel light and unobtrusive, blending with the horizontal lines of the landscape. To achieve this, they supported the containers only at their ends, creating a free span underneath that enhances the sense of openness and integration with the surroundings.
Floor-to-Ceiling Glass Window: The large, uninterrupted glass panes offers a seamless visual connection to its environment, bringing in natural light and extending the interior into the surrounding greenery.
A Warm and Personalized Interior and Living Room
Basalt Stone Mosaic Wall: A striking feature in the living area, this textured stonework creates depth and contrast against the room’s deep-hued walls.
Cumaru Wood Flooring: The dry areas of the home feature cumaru hardwood flooring, known for its durability, rich tones, and resistance to humidity—an ideal choice for a warm yet resilient surface.
Solid Wood Dining Set: The handcrafted wooden dining table and chairs reinforce the home’s organic material palette, creating a cohesive dialogue between the architecture and the furnishings.
Inside, the Borges Container House balances industrial aesthetics with elements that reflect the family’s daily life.The Borges Container House extends gracefully over the terrain, with a warm wooden deck that contrasts beautifully against the sleek, contemporary lines of the home’s repurposed shipping container structure.
Hybrid Construction: Two shipping containers form the bedroom suites, while the kitchen and service areas utilize masonry walls built from stones and bricks recovered from past farm structures. This approach reinforces durability while maintaining a sense of continuity with the land’s history.
Hand-Collected Décor: The Borges family’s collection of Amazonian and African crafts, gathered from Rafael’s various travels to these regions, is displayed throughout, serving as both decoration and a reminder of the places and traditions that have shaped their home.
Minimalist Workspace: A sleek black glass desk reflects light, adding depth to the space while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic.
Bedrooms: Functional and Distinctive Private Spaces
Each bedroom, housed within the repurposed containers, maintains a balance of industrial resilience and personal comfort.
Master Suite: The stainless steel container walls remain exposed, preserving their original texture. A well-placed window frames the surrounding fields, reinforcing a direct connection to the landscape.
Children’s Rooms: The white-painted walls provide a neutral backdrop for individual expression. Floor-to-ceiling curtains play a crucial role in shaping the room’s visual impact. Their full height creates the illusion of taller ceilings, making the space feel larger and more open. When drawn, they introduce a sense of layering, adding depth and softness that contrasts with the container’s rigid structure.
The Borges Container House extends gracefully over the terrain, with a warm wooden deck that contrasts beautifully against the sleek, contemporary lines of the home’s repurposed shipping container structure.
Minimalist Infinity Pool: The elongated pool sits flush with the deck, mirroring the horizon and blending seamlessly into the scene. The light-toned mosaic tiling adds a sophisticated touch, while its placement maximizes the experience of swimming while gazing out over the landscape.
Beyond aesthetics, the Borges family designed their home with a deep commitment to sustainability—something that extends far beyond its materials
A Home Defined by Intentional Living
The Borges family’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the materials used in their home—it is ingrained in their daily lives. They cultivate their own food, putting their hands in the soil and enjoying the produce grown on their land. The house itself was designed to exist in harmony with the environment, carefully positioned to blend with the horizontal lines of its surroundings, rather than disrupt it. The shipping containers were chosen not just for their practicality, but also for their efficiency—requiring no additional roofing and further emphasizing its efficiency and low-maintenance design. Over time, they even converted the basement into a guest room, adapting the space to their evolving needs while staying true to their original vision of simplicity and functionality.
The Borges Container House is more than a repurposed structure—it is a reflection of a lifestyle built around resourcefulness, environmental awareness, and a connection to place. By combining industrial efficiency with local craftsmanship, Rafael and Ana Borges have created a home that is practical, personal, and deeply rooted in its surroundings.
We at Container Home Hub hope you thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into the Borges Container House and that it inspires you on your own journey to creating the perfect home. Whether you’re drawn to the idea of container living for its sustainability, practicality, or unique aesthetic, we love sharing these stories to spark new ideas. 🙂
Information Source: Minha Casa Container
Photo Source: Jorge Siemen Architecture & Design, Minha Casa Container, Casa e Jardim
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