…Macaws and Howler Monkeys are the neighbors.
After a fallen tree cleared part of the rainforest on the Osa Peninsula, two researchers erected a circular plan with any airy viewing deck and oculus framing the canopy.
Location: Osa Peninsula/ Costa Rica
Architect: Studio Saxe
Footprint: 400m2
From the Architects: In the depths of the Osa Peninsula, a giant tree fell to the ground. For the first time, sunlight penetrated the dense canopy, revealing a glimpse of the blue sky above. The natural clearing it created offered a place for two researchers to build their off-grid home, surrounded in every direction by the wild.
The rainforest is a complex multilayered environment, where the density and darkness can be disoriented. The opening in the foliage provided a moment of clarity, revealing the towering heights of trees. This panoramic experience inspired the design of the home, which takes the shape of a disk with an oculus at its center. On its periphery the house interface with the forest, while its core provided a sanctuary from the wilderness. From this elevated platform, residents are immersed in the sounds and rhytmus of nature.
Building in a remote and challenging location required careful planning and adaption. In an earthquake zone, with high precipitation, dramatic temperature differentials, salt in the air, and threatening wildlife, it was crucial to work with a local contractor who knew these realities and had the resourcefulness to overcome them. With no electricity or water connection on the property, and only narrow footpath for access, all resources had to be transported over rivers and mountains by truck and then carried to the site. Prefabricated steel components were prepared in advance, delivered during the dry season and assembled by hand. The dynamic roof form was created with a woven grid of uniquely pitched beams, and was then covered with fiber cement boards and a durable membrane to withstand the harsh environment. After the construction, the site was replanted with native vegetation, which will eventually envelope the home, absorbing it into the natural surroundings.
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