Woman Builds Jungle Home Out of Concrete and Dish Soap (26 Photos)

A few years ago, an Australian woman named Katrin moved to Montezuma, Costa Rica, looking for a fresh start and a closer connection with nature. To say she succeeded would be an understatement. Today, she lives deep in the lush jungle in a fairytale-like house that looks like a cross between an elven cottage and something straight out of

The Flintstones

.

But the most intriguing part? To build this architectural wonder, she used a custom mix of concrete and dish soap. Take a look below to see how it turned out.





Source: Green Moon Lodge



Katrin

Katrin spent most of her life in Vienna, but after visiting Montezuma on vacation, she fell completely in love with the place. In 2017, she finally made the move permanent. Today, she works at a craft brewery and handcrafts natural soap made from coconut oil.

Eventually, Katrin got the idea to build a dome home in this tropical paradise. But it couldn't be just any ordinary house—she wanted a one-of-a-kind structure that would leave visitors spellbound.





After months of hard work, she brought her dream to life. Tucked away in the jungle, her cozy sanctuary officially opened under the name Green Moon Lodge.

However, Katrin's path to turning her vision into reality was far from smooth sailing…



Clearing the land for construction

She ran into her first major hurdle while searching for a construction crew.

"Nobody here had ever heard of the material I wanted to use or knew how to build a dome, let alone combine the two," she recalls.

Fortunately, a local contractor was intrigued by her idea and agreed to take on the challenge.



It all started with figuring out the exact density of dish soap foam needed so the concrete would retain its strength while remaining lightweight.



Mixing the foam with concrete



After extensive trial and error, the team finally perfected the mix. They poured it into custom handmade molds to produce building blocks. In total, 1,200 blocks were needed to construct the home.



Katrin admits they faced numerous challenges along the way, but the crew managed to find a creative solution every single time.

"My heart still beats a little faster whenever I think of them," she says. "They were so dedicated to the project and worked so hard. They weren't just building a house—they were creating magic."





Word about the unusual build quickly spread around town. Curious locals started stopping by to check on the progress, and many offered a helping hand.



Thanks to these friendly neighbors, Katrin's house ended up with custom wrought-iron windows and doors, as well as a skylight roof perfect for stargazing.



Katrin designed the entire interior herself. It is safe to say she achieved her goal of creating a home like no other.

Here is what Green Moon Lodge looks like inside:



The living room.



Another angle. A truly cozy spot.



How the living area looks after dark.



The bathroom.



The walk-in shower.



The bedroom.



A dedicated corner for blending up fresh fruit smoothies.



An aerial view of the lodge. Just look at how charming it is!



And here is Katrin's creation glowing at night.



Green Moon Lodge is nestled in the heart of the jungle, just a three-minute walk from the beach. Anyone looking for an unforgettable getaway can stay here—bookings are available on Airbnb or directly through Katrin's website.



A stay in this tropical paradise costs around $70.50 per night (or $141 for two nights), including cleaning fees and taxes.



The lodge accommodates a maximum of two guests for up to two nights.







The surrounding area offers stunning natural views.

It is undoubtedly an ideal spot for a weekend getaway. What do you think?