Costa Rican House: Privileged Pacific Views
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Silenced on the hilltops of the town of Nosara in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Charred Timber House absorbs high-level views of the Pacific and a dense green landscape. Designed by Studio Saxe, the 515-square-foot family home has charcoal teak wood exterior and black-framed windows. Two extended horizontal roof planes provide protection against the natural elements, while also promoting connection with nature by forming wide and welcoming terraces. The exterior is inspired by the interior, which is decorated with natural wood and dark, matte materials. Living spaces are open plan and airy, with full focus placed on the special views that are drawn in through floor to ceiling walls made of glass.
The height of the modern property passes just below the canopy of surrounding trees, effectively mixing the house into the natural environment. A wide driveway leads up to the house through the density of mature trees, then finding full shade under a stylish second-floor overhang.
A glass pillar rises through the center of the structure, framed in a clear white image. A double-height expanse of glass reveals the rise of a modern staircase inside. Large terraces surround the edges of both floors, extending the usable living space outside into the fresh air.
The modern exterior is clad in charred teak wood, which contrasts sharply with the light natural wood overhang of the roof and upper terrace. Black frames trim entire walls of windows on each floor of the home, causing neat squares of reflection.
A swimming pool terrace is laid out on the side of the property, where the cool blue water ripples out towards the view of the Pacific Ocean. Tall palm trees provide a spotted shade around it.
Plant beds carve into the hillside that rises around the house. A small rustic rock wall borders the base of the slope, leading the way towards stone steps that aid the ascent through the grounds.
The construction of this home was driven by the weight-bearing capabilities of the soil and the seismic conditions of Costa Rica. In response, a lightweight steel structure was pre-cut to be assembled quickly on site. Local tequila has been sustainably sourced and treated by the ancient technique of carburizing and finishing with natural oils.
Divided wide open to the dramatic ocean and mountain panorama, the interior is an intense space. Colorful accent furniture competes for attention in the living room. Multicolored scattered cushions add to the upbeat palette. A modern rocking chair counteracts the brightness with a natural wooden frame and neutral upholstery.
The open plan living room layout goes back to a casual dining room layout and an open concept kitchen. An oversized rotan hanging light shadow descends onto the dining table, creating a relaxed tropical aesthetic.
Three kitchen stools pull up to a kitchen island with a wooden building. Black countertops add visual weight to the lightweight kitchen design.
The unique staircase achieves a dramatic effect in the home entrance. A wide column of windows frames views of the ocean and sky.
Not only does the high staircase volume add an interesting juxtaposition to the architecture, but it helps air circulation to all parts of the apartment. The construction’s bioclimatic design process considered wind patterns, sun exposure, temperature, and more so that active energy initiatives could be avoided. In this home, the power of the sun is harnessed to heat water with minimal energy consumption, and water is recycled by filters using state-of-the-art treatment plant systems.
Upstairs, bedroom decorations are simple and serene with natural wood furniture, wooden lath wall and ceiling featuring panels, and clear white bed linen. A rustic wooden end of a bed bench merges with the unfinished wooden bed design. Modern white liter units line the sides for storage. Glass table lamps reflect the daylight of huge bedroom windows.
At the foot of the rustic wooden platform bed, a simple black bedroom rug puts a soft texture on the wooden bedroom floor.
On the large bedroom terrace, a small outdoor sofa is positioned to view the tranquil panorama. The simple seat makes it an irresistible place to start the day with a fresh cup of hot coffee, or end it with a cold glass of wine.
Double-sided floor-to-ceiling windows allow the abundant mountain views to dominate the interior of the minimalist bedroom as well, which negates the need for uncomfortable bedroom wall decor and recreational items.
Exterior lighting makes a warm glow along the edges of the main terrace, washing a golden light on the coarse gray concrete floor. Recessed LEDs glow at the base of the overhanging first-floor terrace, adding evening lighting to an outdoor seating right next to the living room.
First floor plan, illustrating the main apartment with open plan living room, kitchen. and dining room.
Second floor plan, showing master bedroom and three additional double bedrooms.
Front elevation with main entrance.
A section drawing, showing an arrangement of a private bedroom neighborhood above the social housing, and the staircase that aids air circulation between volumes.
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Costa Rican House: Privileged Pacific Views
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Luxury Beachfront Property In A Jungle Landscape
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A series of pavilions form this 1000 square meter beach property in Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica, expertly designed by architect Studio Saxe. Abundant tropical scenery integrates a jungle experience into the fragmented home, and beautifully frames the ocean view. A pioneer in sustainable tropical architecture, the project features passive systems that honor its stunningly green surroundings. Cross ventilation between the live programs also merges into a wonderful backyard project, rich in vegetation. In the home, interiors are developed under happily cooling white decorative patterns with earthy wood-tone accents. Retractable glass walls connect the interior living spaces with the jungle on its doorstep, so Mother Nature is only ever stepping away.
In this unique fragmented property project, separate pavilions contain the bedrooms, living spaces and service areas. The luxurious living room is freshly white, spacious free space. White sofas draw an L-shaped border around the living area, while a luxurious kitchen dining room occupies the rest of the volume.
A rustic coffee table adds a golden honey tone in the middle of the ethereal interior. Inserted perimeter lights shine a golden glow around the ceiling line.
Retractable doors break the living room pavilion on either side, adjoining the interior living space with the beautiful scenery.
Just outside the combined kitchen lounge, a huge dining room occupies the terrace. A series of dining room pendant lights are repeated along their length.
Floating wooden steps run along the entire length of the building to ensure that the interior and exterior space converge effortlessly. The oak dining table matches the wooden stair end.
Fourteen dining chairs await a large feast of guests.
A decorated area, a pair of outdoor chairs and a small side table make up a separate seating area.
Circulation of indoor and outdoor spaces weaves a harmony that allows homeowners to continually immerse themselves in the natural habitat as they alternate between spaces.
At night there is magical air around the tropical surroundings.
Palms grow immediately from the sun deck.
A bed of tropical plants grows along the edge of the deck, placing the pool in the abundant jungle.
The planting thins to the turf on the other hand, creating a drained area to arrange sunbeds.
Exterior lights illuminate the stairs at night so as not to stumble.
An elegant outdoor sofa and chairs form a tiny outdoor lounge at the end of the pool, cooled by the shade of the sloping palms.
The lighted pool and raised plants gave a beautiful color after dark.
Several seats offer options depending on the pool.
The ocean panorama glows through the trees on the property.
Separate programs facilitate transverse ventilation, as each space is exposed on two or three exterior walls.
The overlapping roofs of the pavilions create a charming circulation of space between the programs.
Extended rooflines were included to offer protection from the scorching sun and from rains through carefully calculated bioclimatic design.
The analysis of precipitation, sun pattern and wind ensures comfort with minimum energy consumption, and thus reduces the environmental footprint of the house.
Many other sustainable systems were also played here. Rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems, as well as energy, generate passive design at the heart of this project.
A series of thin columns support the roof planes, which creates a lightly floating effect.
Steel and wood construction and concrete foundations facilitate the illusion.
A path weaves through the soils, passing between senior trees and smaller shrubs. An outdoor swing chair makes a dreamy place to take off the hours in the shade with a good book and a cocktail in hand.
Retractable glass walls remove the boundaries between the home interior and the glorious exterior spaces.
The bedrooms are open to the tropical landscape and to the soothing sound of the ocean.
4 poster beds furnish the bedrooms so that a curtain of curtains can be pulled around the beds to avoid any bugs that may get in through the open windows. In this graceful white series, a clean white sofa replaces the average bed end, and another seat is located in the transverse breeze between two windows. A driftwood table sets up a proper beach aesthetic.
Natural carpet adds a moment of warm texture to the polished white concrete floor that complements earthy wood tone furniture around the room.
Rectangular wall lights illuminate footpaths and wooden milky linings.
Roof windows add ventilation to the bathrooms. Wood and rattan end retain the naturalistic look.
The amazing property is located back a short walk from the beach. From above, it is easy to see how the overlapping roof lines form the canopy of the tropical courtyard design, and how the trees at its core stand out.
Front elevation of the beachfront property.
High southeast.
The floor plan illustrates the division of volumes and the assigned use of each individual program. We can also see how the architecture interacts with the landscape, moving around established tall trees, and where new forest lines are implemented to protect, guide and define the exterior areas and elements of the home.
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