This Tropical House Is Almost Completely Open To The Outside

August 20, 2016

This recently completed home in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, is nestled between the jungle and the beach. Designed by Benjamin Garcia Saxe, the home is a series of interwoven terraces, creating multiple levels and opening the home to the outdoors.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

 

This recently completed home in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, is nestled between the jungle and the beach. Designed by Benjamin Garcia Saxe, the home is a series of interwoven terraces, creating multiple levels and opening the home to the outdoors.

 

Designed by Benjamin Garcia Saxe, this home in Costa Rica is a series of interwoven terraces, creating multiple levels and opening the home to the outdoors.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

When designing the home, the architect carefully analysed local wind patterns to create a comfortable cross-ventilation that would cool the spaces without the use of air conditioning.


A long swimming pool at the front of this home in Costa Rica, provides a separation from the grassy area.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

Locally resourced and certified Melina wood has been used throughout the home for a more natural look.


Locally resourced reforested and certified Melina wood has been used throughout this home for a more natural look.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

This house is a carefully handcrafted object built with local materials by local workers under extreme and remote tropical conditions with limited resources and tools.


A large wooden dining table with bench seating creates a relaxed dining environment in this home.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

Due to the home being remote, most sinks were hand crafted and created on site, as well as doors, kitchen cabinetry, and bathroom furniture.


Due to this home being remote, most of the sinks and cabinetry were hand crafted and created on site.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

Photovoltaic panels were used to create the energy needed for the home, as well as solar thermal technology to heat the water. Every single item in the house is energy efficient and the entire lighting system uses high-efficiency LEDs.


Photovoltaic panels have been used to create the energy needed for this home as well as solar thermal technology to heat the water.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

From the second level of the home, you’re able to see the treetops of the forest and views of the water.


From the second level of this home, you are able to see the treetops of the forest and views of the water.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

The bedroom also has the same views, however when privacy is required or the weather turns bad, the panels can be closed to make an enclosed room.


This bedroom opens up to the elements, helping to keep it cool and provide amazing views.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner

As the house is remote, it collects rainwater from all roof structures to store and use throughout the house.


This bathroom in a house in Costa Rica, is wide open to the elements, and has all of the furniture, bath and shower built-in.

Photography by Andres Garcia Lachner