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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.

Bartlett Residence in Guanacaste, Costa Rica by Sarco Architects Costa Rica

 
November 9th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal

Article source: Sarco Architects Costa Rica

The Bartlett Residence was designed as a luxury vacation home in the middle of a dry tropical forest area.  The property has a long and narrow building envelope area (limited by the development), that works parallel to the slope of the land, which is a fairly constant natural slope of around 30 to 35 degrees, forming into a natural ravine in the middle of the buildable space.

“The lateral view shows the terrain slope and slanted column design theme”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The lateral view shows the terrain slope and slanted column design theme”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

  • Architects: Sarco Architects Costa Rica
  • Project: Bartlett Residence
  • Location: Guanacaste, Costa Rica
  • Photography: Estilos y Casas Magazine
  • Software used: Grafisoft Archicad 20
  • Client: Bartlett Family
  • Principal Designer: Roderick Anderson, Intl. Assoc. AIA
  • Design Team: Roderick Anderson, Gustavo Alvarez
  • Structural Engineering: Heriel S.A.
  • Electromechanical: Circuito S.A.
  • Construction: SARCO Design-Build
  • Site Area: 3 Acres
  • Built-Up Area: 3,300 sq.ft. Air conditioned Area, 2,700 Outdoor Covered Area, 7,300sq.ft. Total Built Area
  • Year of Completion: 2008

“A the road front view shows a low-profile horizontal design, slightly sunken below the road grade.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“A the road front view shows a low-profile horizontal design, slightly sunken below the road grade.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

The design had to incorporate a quite significant overall height restriction of 10 meters, due to its location in a National Interest Area.  The design theme of the slanted columns is derived from a functional aspect, of needing to drive the support position of these columns under the structure, up the slope.  This would reduce the structure’s height to help for earthquake structural design, plus would also reduce the overall height in order to comply with the project height restriction.

“Closeup of the staircase articulation, with wood shading devices for protection of the expansive glass”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“Closeup of the staircase articulation, with wood shading devices for protection of the expansive glass”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The protruding pods feature program and allow cross ventilation through the living space while allowing privacy from the road.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The protruding pods feature program and allow cross ventilation through the living space while allowing privacy from the road.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

Due to the slope and building envelope location, the home was designed elevated off the ground on the slanted columns, and the social areas and master bedroom suite were located on the upper (entry) level, where the jungle view and distant ocean view was best, and the guest bedrooms along with the outdoor covered living area on the lower level.  The latter space was designed to integrate with the swimming pool, which features a swim lane under the structure of the house, and therefore providing both covered and uncovered areas inside the pool.

“The slanted column design and balconies provide expansive overhangs and sun protection to all interior living spaces.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The slanted column design and balconies provide expansive overhangs and sun protection to all interior living spaces.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The upper level living room terrace provides a singular location among the tree tops.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The upper level living room terrace provides a singular location among the tree tops.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

Upper level balconies allow for elevated views out to the jungle, and give the feeling of being right next to some of the tree canopies around.  The expansive outdoor living space in the lower level is kept at a comfortable range all year round due to cross-ventilation and capturing of the upcoming ocean breezes.

“The upper level terrace provides space for outdoor morning breakfast in the jungle.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The upper level terrace provides space for outdoor morning breakfast in the jungle.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The kitchen cabinetry disappears into the pods and features windows all around for light and ventilation.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The kitchen cabinetry disappears into the pods and features windows all around for light and ventilation.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

The slanted column theme combined with either terraces or balconies all along the western façade allowed to have extensive overhangs over all areas of the home, protecting it from the direct solar radiation and allowing a reduction in air conditioning capacity.

“A bright airy kitchen with glimpses of the jungle outside.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“A bright airy kitchen with glimpses of the jungle outside.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The pool swim lane allows for refreshing in the water in both covered and uncovered spaces.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The pool swim lane allows for refreshing in the water in both covered and uncovered spaces.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

The home was designed to allow natural cross-ventilation through the social areas and the master bedroom, to give the owner the option of opening up windows on mild days and therefore reduce the use of air conditioning.  The open outdoor living area features larger open areas towards the view and slightly narrower openings at the back, allowing the natural flow of air and creating the conditions to generate a soft constant breeze through the open space.

“The ample covered outdoor living space allows for lounging and cooking in a cool breezy space.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“The ample covered outdoor living space allows for lounging and cooking in a cool breezy space.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“A Jacuzzi tub in the upper level deck area allows enjoyment for sunset views.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“A Jacuzzi tub in the upper level deck area allows enjoyment for sunset views.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“This view shows the extensive outdoor spaces and balconies in the sunset light.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“This view shows the extensive outdoor spaces and balconies in the sunset light.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“Master bathroom with floor-to-ceiling glass with a view out to the jungle and ocean.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“Master bathroom with floor-to-ceiling glass with a view out to the jungle and ocean.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“Master bathroom design features a two-tone travertine, and multi-format design “, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“Master bathroom design features a two-tone travertine, and multi-format design “, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“View to the jungle and ocean from the master shower and tub.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

“View to the jungle and ocean from the master shower and tub.”, Image Courtesy © Estilos y Casas Magazine

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

Image Courtesy © Sarco Architects Costa Rica

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Categories: ArchiCAD, Graphisoft, House, Residential




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