This high-end single family residence is located in the mountains outside of San Jose, Costa Rica and is designed by PARAVANT ARCHITECTS for a client living in Los Angeles, CA. This house is developed in close response to the rhythms and materials of the subtropical climate in Costa Rica. We sought to embrace the fundamental environmental intentions while creating a contemporary place of strong individual character and quiet complexity. Each part of the house responds to its specific site conditions. The south façade opens to the adjacent city of Atenas with full or partial shading. The east is shaped as an intimate court yard between the main residence and the artist studio with mountain views. The courtyard is a contemporary interpretation of a garden of native grasses and rocks that suggest the connection of the mountain and the valley. The movement and transparency though the heart of the house complete this spatial link. The project consists of a main residence, an artist studio, an office and a gate-house with more than 6500 sq.ft. of livable space.
Sustainable features as integrated elements of this new building in Costa Rica:
- Photovoltaic-panel (electricity)
- Wind turbine (electricity)
- Solar-panel (hot water)
- Deep roof overhangs for shading
- Louver shading system
- Thermal buffer and cooling walls
- Cross ventilation
- Natural day lighting
- Insulated glazing systems
- Cold roof
- Grey water collection
- High efficient water use fixtures
- LED lighting
- Waste-water treatment plant on site
- Vernacular material
- Tropical landscape design
The project started construction in February 2010. Architect team: PARAVANT ARCHITECTS and SAAR
