PURA VILLA#1
Pavones, Costa Rica, 2400 sf
Pavones is one of the most remote parts of Costa Rica, where the Indian reservation on the border with Panama meets the waters of the Gulfo Douce; the “laws of the jungle” are in force here and the lifestyle is dictated only by the day/night alternation. Building here means to confront a disruptive nature in all its aspects: heat, torrential rain, insects and humidity that can deteriorate any material. However the idea of a vacation house in such a place is supported by the fact that, exactly for the reasons listed above, Pavones is one of those places on our planet that can still be defined as pristine.
The lot is located on top of a hill overlooking the ocean on one side and the jungle on the other; this contrast is emphasized by the distribution of the areas inside the house separated by a solid-curved wall, the wall is also the backbone of the structure that divides the private area from the living area and accompanies throughout the discovery of the house.
Kept in the shade, thermally the wall plays a crucial role as a "natural cooler" for the entire house and acoustically it makes the private/common area severance incredibly tangible: the living area is characterized by the sound of the waves breaking on the nearby beach in contrast with the quiet croaking of frogs and the chirping of crickets that predominates the tranquility of the night area only occasionally broken by the howler monkeys.
A great importance was given to implement the view through the realization of large windows that open both towards the ocean and the jungle. The choice of materials was made to assure low maintenance and high durability of every part: brushed concrete floors and composite decks together with a local specie of cedar in the less exposed areas.
Other design features further ensure sustainable well-being and strongly limit energy consumption: 24h natural ventilation is guaranteed by permeable bands over the windows throughout the house and the overhanging roof protects the glass from excessive solar radiation.
