LIMONADA HOUSE

Limonada is a house with a unique story, located in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica. It has a triangular shape and three floors.

Nestled in a humid forest with large trees, its small footprint and height complement the surrounding trees. It is completely open to the biodiversity of its surroundings.

It was built gradually, initially used as an open structure without walls for glamping, and then gradually incorporated stairs, walls, and furniture. This sequence of uses demonstrated an ecological relationship with its surroundings, where the initial design decisions were made consciously and sensibly to provide protection from the rain in a climate with pleasant temperatures year-round. This is a prime example of sustainable architecture in action.

The house, raised off the ground, is made of concrete with a wooden floor on its first floor, a completely open space complemented by a barbecue area to enjoy vacation evenings.

The structure is made of teak wood on the upper floors. The second floor, which houses a kitchen, bathroom, and beds, is enclosed with a wooden frame and mosquito mesh, allowing passive ventilation to maximize energy efficiency. The third floor, a bedroom with a shower, keeps a complete connection with the canopy of the tropical forest’s natural landscape.

Materials such as recycled plastic lumber were incorporated for an outdoor shower, along with Caribbean colors to give it a local character and language.

Casa Limonada is an experimental Caribbean house. Its unconventional spaces are suitable for shared vacation living. Its extreme integration into the forest is a challenge, coexisting with primary trees and the biodiversity that inhabits them. It is a project that challenges the nature-loving spirit, connecting its users with the dynamics of the real coastal tropical rainforest, embodying the principles of sustainable architecture.