MANGUE HOUSE

Casa Mangue is a beachfront vacation home on San Miguel Beach. Materials and the footprint of an existing old building were reused, making it sustainable from the outset.

It is configured around a double-height central space defined by a wooden structure, which distributes a two-level concrete room module on each side. The completely open central space promotes cross ventilation, taking advantage of the constant strong sea breeze. At the front, a long, narrow pool allows for swimming with a direct view of the beach.

The structure is made of sawn teak wood, sourced locally from the Nicoya Peninsula, reaffirming the commitment to wood architecture that uses local and sustainable resources. The joints between pieces were made with galvanized iron plates. Its broken shape allows for a vaulted ceiling, and a three-dimensional structure supports a walkway facing the sea, creating an interesting colonnade at sunset.

Wood, one of the most accessible materials for green building, has a low carbon footprint and contributes to its fixation, establishing itself as an essential material in regenerative architecture.

The roof is insulated with handmade clay tiles and wooden ceilings, creating a double thermal layer. Its energy consumption is low, as it does not require air conditioning and uses solar systems for hot water. The gray work and furniture in the central space were made of polished concrete, integrating stainless steel kitchen equipment and lamps designed in the same material.

The rooms, finished in a light ash-sand tone, have glassless windows with wooden screens and shutters with organic edges, which give them a natural, beachy feel. The foundation, built on sand, minimizes the ecological footprint. Existing palm trees were preserved and others were transplanted, preserving the shade and character of the coastline.

Casa Mangue is a work of architecture in San Miguel, Nandayure, Nicoya Peninsula, that combines sustainability, tropical beauty, and respect for the environment. It was awarded at the XVI Architecture Biennial 2022 by ICOMADERAS (Costa Rican Wood Institute) for its design and use of wood, and recognized by the Climate Change Commission of the CFIA (Federated College of Engineers and Architects) as the most sustainable built project.