Today we travel to Central America, where architectural tradition intertwines with the land and memory, to discover a unique house with a tropical soul, designed by the architectural studio Arquitectura FAMM. Located in Playa Hermosa, a World Surfing Reserve, this property revives the teachings of classical Costa Rican architecture and gives them a contemporary expression.
In Costa Rica, the classical heritage that once blended European influences with local priorities and seismic constraints gradually gave way to faster construction techniques based on materials such as wood, while never abandoning three essential pillars: harmony, symmetry, and proportion.
From this evolution emerged a distinct architectural language that combines refinement and cultural ambition with a growing awareness of sustainability and a desire to preserve historical heritage. It is precisely within this thread between past and future that the Casa de los Tres Pochotes is represented.
Thibault Cartier
The property is located in Playa Hermosa, a destination globally recognised as a World Surfing Reserve and a dream setting for anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
The house offers 440 square metres of built area on a plot of approximately 0.81 hectares. This wood is widely used in traditional medicine, pillow stuffing, and construction.
According to the architects, the project was designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, directing the views from the bedrooms towards the trees surrounding the balconies and terraces, while taking advantage of the shade from the treetops to protect the outdoor spaces. “The result is a house that harmoniously dialogues with the land and respects and understands the way life unfolds in the tropics,” they explain.
Thibault Cartier
As previously mentioned, to ensure a sense of robustness and naturality, the architects used wooden cladding on the exterior — a material perfectly suited to this climate, water-resistant and durable over time.
The white brick, combined with the different shades of wood, introduces a controlled contrast that highlights the beams, pillars, and concrete walls.
“This combination of wood, concrete, glass, and red details creates a warm, modern, and solid atmosphere that reflects both respect for traditional Costa Rican architecture and a reinterpretation of contemporary tropical design,” states the studio.
Thibault Cartier
The two wings of the house are separated by a central volume in white brick that extends towards the trees. The living room and verandas were designed in the shadiest areas of the site, while the bedrooms were positioned to make the most of the passing breeze and natural light — an arrangement that is not accidental, but strategic.
For the studio, “this focus allowed the design to emerge naturally and logically, since each part of the house has a clear purpose and a direct connection to the surrounding landscape.”
Thibault Cartier
On the other hand, the large glazed openings in the bedrooms, protected by the roof overhangs, provide effective defence against climatic agents, helping to extend the lifespan of the house while simultaneously reinforcing the architectural character of the building.
Thibault Cartier
“The use of local materials also reduces environmental impact by minimising the need for transportation. The design avoids unnecessary surface treatments, which saves resources and preserves the authenticity of the materials,” explains the studio.
The result is a building that radiates elegance and tranquillity, fully merged with the immense beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Source: idealista/news article “Between surfing and the forest: a unique house with a tropical soul.”