Studio Saxe

Raintree House

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

RAINTREE HOUSE

Studio Saxe

ARCHITECTS
Studio Saxe

AREA
750 m2

DESIGN DIRECTOR
Benjamin G. Saxe

PHOTOGRAPHS
Kirsten Ellis

INTERIOR DESIGN
Saxe Interiors

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
GreenGo

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Guidi Estructurales

ELECTROMECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Dynamo

BUILDER
Prodeyco

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Nosara, Costa Rica

TYPE
Houses

Ocean views and an authentic jungle experience merge to create a sanctuary of contemporary design, crafted with natural local materials.

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

CONCEPT

Our international clients came to Costa Rica with the intent of creating an example of a more sustainable way of life, with a focus on well-being through connections to nature.

“We wanted a home that felt like it had always been there, hugged by the canopy, dancing with the jungle.” – The client

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

From the very beginning, our common vision was to explore the possibility of blending the architecture with its jungle surrounding, keeping every single tree and adding to the habitat; while also capturing a framed view of the ocean and sunset.

The framework for the design is based around a series of moments of contemplation, which balance the roughness of nature with the benefits of modern comfort.

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

DESIGN

Within a clearing on the crest of a hill, we planted a strong foundation and acrobatic structure so that the rest of the house could float over the jungle with no extra support.

The main living areas as well as the master bedroom were placed on the second floor, where the experience of the jungle canopy is felt more intensely and also where the ocean and sunsets are captured through meticulously framed views.

A stair and circulation that is neither outside nor inside encourage the inhabitants to always be connected to nature as they meander around the house. 

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

The integration of Saxe Architecture with Saxe Interiors allowed the team to collaborate on the precise choice of materials to create a sense of wholeness of design inspired by nature.

Burnt wood, teak, hand-made hydraulic tiles, woven lamps, and many more bring a sense of local craft to the entire design.

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

The house was designed with durability in mind as it will serve not only as the client’s home but also as a rental property.

SUSTAINABILITY 

Bioclimatic principles guided the design of the house. A very large roof “umbrella” extends out very dramatically and encapsulates the entire living space, creating an ecosystem between the structure and the jungle.

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

In a tropical setting, like this, designs need to adapt to strong rains during the green season and intense heat during the dry season. Water is captured and recycled for irrigation and reuse.

Solar panels generate part of the energy of the house and materials are kept rough in order to withstand the tropical environment without constant maintenance.

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

Overall ancient and local techniques are combined with technology to create a sustainable design that is both rooted in the past and looking to the future.

CONSTRUCTION

A strong concrete foundation base was created at the top of the hill asymmetrically allowing the main prefabricated steel elements to cantilever over the hill and above the jungle.

Seismic-proof structural design borrowing industrial construction methods were reinvented to give a domestic warm touch, through the careful placement of materials and cladding.

Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis

The result of combining contemporary building techniques, for speed and durability, with local know-how creates a unique expression of architecture that marries a modern aesthetic with a local imprint of textures and craftsmanship.

This allowed us to create a language of architecture that is honest and reflects a true distinct process of understanding local capabilities within international standards.


Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis


Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis
Raintree House
© Kirsten Ellis


Raintree House
Section
Raintree House
Section


Raintree House
Plan - Ground Floor
Raintree House
Plan - 1st Floor


Raintree House
Diagram
Raintree House
Diagram

Studio Saxe
T +506 4030 6053
Studio Saxe
Av. 9, San José, Nunciatura, Costa Rica