salagnac arquitectos expresses 'casa guayacán' as a translucent timber volume

salagnac arquitectos designs its ‘casa guayacán’ over costa rica’s mountainous foothills of nosara. the dwelling is surrounded by tropical forests and faces out toward a sweeping ocean view. the house is designed by a couple seeking to move to the mountains with their two daughters to enjoy the tranquility that the mountain offers. ‘casa guayacán’ is conceived under a deep process of discussion between both architects, with an approach united by the advantage that both architects are lovers of contemporary tropical architecture. the design was driven with the development of an elongated facade from north to south to exaggerate the ocean view. the west façade opens towards sunset and in the morning while vibrant light appears from the east.

all images by andrés garcía lachner

in the design of ‘casa guayacán’, salagnac arquitectos negotiates the unevenness of the mountain terrain. the house is organized across two levels, the lower level partially shorter to introduce an access area below the main structure. while the lower level is programmed for general access, service space, and a studio, the upper level exclusively houses shared spaces and bedrooms that fully capture the ocean view and sea breeze. cross ventilation through the facades is made possible with a system of rhythmic timber slats through which the air flow passes. this lattice generates a shifting pattern of light and shadowing throughout the day.

salagnac arquitectos builds the project in masonry, metal, wood, and glass using typical methods of construction in the area. crafted by local artisans, the timber elements are treated with linseed oil, giving a soft color and a natural texture. some of the main partitions are emphasized in polished cement to generate contrast with the other walls, finished in white. the design of ‘casa guayacán’ is ultimately expressed as a composition of simple lines and geometric solids with a detailed lattice of serial woods, a combination of solidity and transparency.

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project info:

project title: casa guayacán

architecture: salagnac arquitectos

design team: evangelina quesada, lucca spendlingwimmer

location: nosara, costa rica

completion: 2019

photography: andrés garcía lachner