ILOILO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering and Architecture

Case Study: Costa Rica Treehouse

ARS 204 – Tropical Design

BY

2021-0452-A
10-10-22

The jungle of this heavily forested location on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast
served as the inspiration for Costa Rica Treehouse. The house interacts with
the jungle on each of its three levels. The bottom floor is on the forest floor, the
middle flat lies within the trees, and the top floor goes above the tree canopy
with views of the surf at neighboring Playa Hermosa beach. It is constructed
entirely of locally harvested teak wood.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 BUILDING’S TROPICAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ......................................... 1

1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Location............................................................................................................................. 1

1.2.1 Costa Rica’s Climate........................................................................................... 2

1.3 Building requirements/challenges ...................................................................................... 3

1.4 Architect’s concept/design solution ................................................................................... 5

1.5 Tropical Design Solutions and Features ............................................................................ 5

1.6 Functions Accommodated ................................................................................................. 8

1.7 Materials and Technology ................................................................................................10

2 REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................13
Case Study: Costa Rica Treehouse
2021-0452-A
10/11/2022

1 BUILDING’S TROPICAL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

1.1 Introduction

The jungle of this heavily forested location on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast served as the
inspiration for Costa Rica Treehouse. The house interacts with the jungle on each of its three levels.
The bottom floor is on the forest floor, the middle flat lies within the trees, and the top floor goes
above the tree canopy with views of the surf at neighboring Playa Hermosa beach. It is constructed
entirely of locally harvested teak wood (ArchDaily, 2019).

© Nic Lehoux
1.2 Location

The 2,140-square-foot home is set amidst dense jungle on a fairly secluded peninsula near
Playa Hermosa beach in Santa Teresa, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica.

© Google Earth

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Costa Rica Treehouse location. © Nic Lehoux

1.2.1 Costa Rica’s Climate

Costa Rica experiences a wide range of climates. From the scorching, humid rainforest to
the chilly, misty highlands. Deep within the tropics, Costa Rica is situated in Central America
between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, nearly halfway between the equator and the Tropic of
Cancer. Instead of the spring, summer, fall, and winter typical in more temperate places, this region
is notable for its heat and humidity, having a rainy and dry season (Bateman, 2017).

Climate in Puntarenas

© Weather Spark

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The rainy season is oppressive and cloudy, the dry season is humid and partially overcast,
and it's hot all year round in Puntarenas, where the house is. The average annual temperature ranges
from 77 to 97 ℉, rarely falling below 74 or rising over 99. Since Puntarenas experiences such short
seasonal temperature variations, talking about hot and cold seasons is not very relevant (Weather
Spark, 2022).
Average High and Low Temperature in Puntarenas

© Weather Spark

1.3 Building requirements/challenges

1) The house has several entrances because of the sloping terrain. The two entry options
are either driving up to the ground-level entry or crossing the canopy on the suspension
bridge to the third floor (Wang, 2019).

Parking area. Suspension bridge to the canopy. © Nic Lehoux

2) The house is situated on a remote peninsula in the middle of a dense jungle not far from
Playa Hermosa beach. The architect, Olson Kundig, saw the location as an excellent
opportunity to source local materials and be creative with solving design issues" rather
than as a hindrance (Wang, 2019).

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First level, exterior. First level, exterior. © Nic Lehoux

3) Another issue was how to build an

open, naturally ventilated home in
such a humid environment. The
interior is intended to be covered and
kept dry. The enormous roof
overhang, gutter drainage systems,
and double-layer movable screens
help keep water away (Wang, 2019).

Second level bedroom. Stairs.

Costa Rica Treehouse rear view. Third level, living room. © Nic Lehoux

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1.4 Architect’s concept/design solution

The architect is inspired by the jungle of this densely forested site on the Pacific Coast of
Costa Rica. The house Kundig has designed for the client embraces the environment and climate.
The house is designed to mimic a tree, like the clients climbing from the ground to the tree top. So
as its name the Treehouse is built predominantly out of locally harvested teak and is open to the
elements. As avid surfers, the project gives the clients a chic version of a basic surfer’s hut, and as
environmentalists, their new home ticks several sustainability boxes (Dowdy, 2019).

Costa Rica Treehouse front view. © Nic Lehoux

1.5 Tropical Design Solutions and Features

In this setting, the house is passively built to breathe and remain open to the weather. The
top and bottom levels are exposed to the outdoors due to a double-screen flexible wood shutter
system, allowing for natural illumination and ventilation while preserving privacy and security. The
sole floor with glass windows is the second floor, and in some areas, the walls slide open, offering
a direct connection to the luxurious natural surroundings. The house has a minimum environmental
effect, but a 3.5 kW photovoltaic array, a rainwater collection system, and shade further reduce it
(ArchDaily, 2019).

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Kundig's idea to cover the structure with a permeable layer of vertical siding was an
innovative architectural choice. The slatted walls and doors allow the constant airflow-whether
from the hillside or the ocean-to enter, keeping the area cool and fresh. Changing lighting, filtered
views, and the versatility of the massive panels all contribute to a distinct living environment
(Dowdy, 2019).

First level, dining room with closed wood shutter. © Nic Lehoux

First level, dining room front view. © Nic Lehoux

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First level, dining room left side view. © Nic Lehoux

Third level, living room with open joist and gigantic canopy. © Nic Lehoux

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1.6 Functions Accommodated

Costa Rica Treehouse, First Floor © ArchDaily

• Ground level entry • Kitchen

• Outdoor living area • T&B
• Dining area • Pool

Costa Rica Treehouse, Second Floor © ArchDaily

• Balcony • T&B
• Bedroom

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Costa Rica Treehouse, Third Floor © ArchDaily

• Suspension bridge entry • T&B

• Living room • Balcony

Costa Rica Treehouse, Section © ArchDaily

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1.7 Materials and Technology

1. Siding, Screens, Ceilings, Structure, Windows / Doors – Locally sourced teak wood

TEAK

2. Structure (largest beams) – Locally sourced cenízaro wood

CENIZARO WOOD

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3. Holland Roofing – Metal roof

METAL ROOF

4. Guardrails – Custom – Steel

STEEL

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5. Photovoltaic panels – 3.5 kW (22 panels)

PANEL

6. Rainwater collection system – 35,000 liters

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2 REFERENCES
ArchDaily. (2019, April 25). Costa Rica Treehouse / Olson Kundig. Retrieved October 10, 2022
from https://www.archdaily.com/915777/costa-rica-treehouse-olson-kundig

Bateman, J. (2017, May 24). Costa Rica Climate. CostaRica.org. Retrieved October 10, 2022 from
https://costarica.org/facts/climate/

Dowdy, C. (2019, July 30). Olson Kundig’s sustainable teak holiday house in Costa Rica.
Wallpaper*. Retrieved October 10, 2022 from
https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/olson-kundig-treehouse-santa-teresa-costa-rica

Wang, L. (2019, June 13). Costa Rica Tree House by Olson Kundig. Dwell. Retrieved October 10,
2022 from https://www.dwell.com/article/costa-rica-tree-house-olson-kundig-dd5bdb07

Weather Spark. (2022). Puntarenas Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Costa
Rica) - Weatherspark.com. Retrieved October 10, 2022 from
https://weatherspark.com/y/15474/Average-Weather-in-Puntarenas-Costa-Rica-Year-
Round

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