Studio Red

Twix House

Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves

TWIX HOUSE

Studio Red

ARCHITECTS
Studio Red

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Omar Quesada Arias, Giancarlo Muñoz Ramírez

MANUFACTURERS
METALCO, Aceros Roag, Panacor

MEP ENGINEERS
Guevara Cardenas + Partners

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Ingeniería Cañas

PHOTOGRAPHS
Ricardo Chaves

AREA
250.0 m2

YEAR
2015

LOCATION
San José, Costa Rica

CATEGORY
Houses

Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves

Text description provided by architect.

Located in the outskirts of Alajuela, Coyol is a humid weather area full of lush green landscapes and stunning views. The clients were looking for a house able to integrate public areas, front, and backyard within one single space.

Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves
Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves

Twix House is conceptualized by two main curved dynamic shapes, which create one whole. Two twin L-shaped volumes are looking to opposite sides: sunrise facade and sunset facade, resulting in an S-shaped form of the entire house.

Both contain the main and secondary bedrooms of the house, giving them unique views of the Central Valley mountains. The main access entrance opens onto a double height lobby, crossed by the bridge in the center, and a curved staircase to the left.

The main public area has a double height space, which is an open plan, containing the living room, dining room, and a kitchen. 

Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves
Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves

These spaces are connected by sliding doors that lead to the terrace, becoming a key element of the house, transforming the social areas and allowing for direct communication between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The private areas of the house are located on the second floor: two bedrooms and a second living room.These are connected by a third volume, which is an interior bridge, articulating the house and integrating all the downstairs and upstairs areas together.

Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves
Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves

Due to the particularities of the climate zone, a special attention had to be paid to ensuring that the house remains fresh.

Therefore, as a part of the process, different passive design strategies for tropical climate areas were implemented.For instance, the roof of the bridge overlaps the rest of the roof creating a gap, which acts as a monitor letting the hot air leave.

Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves
Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves

Apart from that, the orientation of the building allows for cross ventilation to take place, resulting in cool and refreshing temperatures indoors, despite the daily tropical heat.

Twix House
© Ricardo Chaves


Twix House
First Floor Plan
Twix House
Second Floor Plan
Twix House
Section 01


Twix House
Elevation 01
Twix House
Elevation 02
Twix House
Section 02
Twix House
Section 03


Twix House
Diagram 06. Image Courtesy of Studio RED
Twix House
Diagram 02. Image Courtesy of Studio RED
Twix House
Diagram 03. Image Courtesy of Studio RED
Twix House
Diagram 04. Image Courtesy of Studio RED
Twix House
Diagram 05. Image Courtesy of Studio RED
Twix House
Diagram 01. Image Courtesy of Studio RED

Studio Red
T +506 8895 1264
Studio Red
Avenida 3, entre calles 0 y 1, Calle Real, 20101 Alajuela, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica