Designed as an open-air surfer hut in Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa
Architects : Olson Kundig
Design principal : Tom Kundig,
Principal : Kevin M. Kudo-King, Project architect : Martina Bendel
Photos © Nic Lehoux
Olson Kundig :
Costa Rica Treehouse is inspired by the jungle of this densely forested site on
the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Built entirely of teak wood harvested on-site,
the retreat engages with the jungle at each of its three levels: at the forest floor,
the middle floor is nestled within the trees, and the top level rises above
the tree canopy with views of the surf at nearby Playa Hermosa beach.
The clients are surfers as well as avid environmentalists, and this project
reflects their deep commitment to sustainable land management in Costa Rica.
Designed as an open-air surfer hut, the project engages the Costa Rican
landscape in various ways, from the vegetation accessible just off the
main floor, to the larger weather and surf patterns one
can experience on the top level.
Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA :
The project has an intentionally small footprint and is quite tall – this allowed us
to maintain a light influence on the site while engaging with the natural
landscape in different ways on all three levels of the house.
Designed to operate passively, the home is intended to breathe and remain open to
the elements in this temperate semi-tropic environment. The top and bottom floors are
completely open to the elements with a double-screen operable wood shutter system,
allowing daylight and natural ventilation, but also privacy and security when
the owners are away. Shading, a 3.5-kW photovoltaic array, and a rainwater
collection system make the house’s compact footprint
even lighter on the land.
Area: 2140 ft²
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