benjamin garcia saxe elevates casa flotanta above the trees

benjamin garcia saxe elevates casa flotanta above the trees
all images courtesy of benjamin garcia saxe

overlooking the pacific ocean, benjamin garcia saxe has completed ‘casa flotanta’, a family home located in puntarenas, costa rica. situated on a steep gradient, sea views are only available from the upper levels of the plot. consequently, the design rises up through the trees. exploring different typologies appropriate for the site’s context, the design team considered cutting back into the earth, using large retaining walls to ground the house – a technique common with neighboring homes.

the residence in costa rica rests above the lush landscape

finally, it was decided that the opposite approach would be taken – instead allowing the slope, the vegetation and the wildlife to flow beneath the elevated units. raising the house also saves on the cost of retaining walls, ensuring a lightweight intervention above the terrain, still providing views across the ocean. the modular house features recurring elements linked by flying bridges that hover over the landscape below. prefabricated components allowed the structure to be assembled on-site, comprised of a standardized repetition of living modules.

vegetation and wildlife flow beneath the elevated units

a wooden walkway connects the interior spaces

overlooking the pacific ocean

canopies connected to the roofs provide shade under the high sun

interior spaces are made primarily from timber

shades open as a doorway to the outside

bamboo details accent the interior space

‘casa flotanta’ at night