tom kundig builds surfers treehouse using local teak wood in costa rica

olson kundig principal, tom kundig has completed a surfers treehouse in a densely forested site on the pacific coast of costa rica. built entirely of teak wood harvested on-site, the three-floor retreat is nestled within the jungle, with only its top level rising above the tree canopy, offering views of the surf at nearby playa hermosa beach.

all images by nic lehoux

‘the project has a relatively light, natural footprint on the landscape, both in terms of the site itself, but also in using available local materials that are helping advance the next level of environmental stewardship in costa rica,’ explains tom kundig, who developed the project for a couple of surfers and avid environmentalists. designed as an open-air surfer hut, the treehouse invites the surrounding landscape to enter its interiors  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. ‘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,’ kundig adds.

the house is designed to operate passively, and remain open to the climate in this temperate semi-tropic environment. its 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.

project info:

name: costa rica treehouse

architect: tom kundig, design principal olson kundig

location: santa teresa, costa rica

size: 2,140 sf (not including decks which are 624 sf)

building footprint: 1,005 sf.

design principal and project manager: kevin kudo-king

project architect: martina bendel