As its name suggests — Villa Heartwood is a house inspired by nature and meticulously designed with an incredible attention to detail in crafted wood.
The client's vision for the house was to create a completely unique experience unlike anything found in the area, to create an atmosphere with the exterior landscape.
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playa garza, costa ricavilla heartwood
typology: residential
scope: preliminary studies, master plan, schematic design, construction documents, site visits, work coordination, sourcing, interior design
location: playa garza, guanacaste, costa rica
status: completed
year: 2023
area: 482.67 m²
beachfront property
❋ crafted repurposed woodThe entire main structure of the house is built using 30-year-old teak wood, crafted by master carpenter Steve Chapelle from the United States. Also, the exterior decks are constructed using Guayacán wood imported from Panama, salvaged from the canal's lake. ❋ Integration with existing landscapeThe design preserves and builds around the site’s existing natural conditions. Mature trees were carefully maintained and incorporated into the architectural layout, allowing the house to emerge within the landscape rather than replacing it.❋ low-Impact landscapingThe surrounding landscape is composed of native plant species selected for their adaptability and low maintenance. This strategy reduces water consumption while reinforcing the ecological continuity of the site.❋ indoor-outdoor continuityThe architecture blurs the boundary between interior and exterior spaces, creating a continuous spatial experience. Open configurations and material transitions connect the built environment with the surrounding landscape, enhancing climate responsiveness and spatial fluidity.
