7. Costa Rica Environmental Center
The site is located on a peninsula in Costa Rica, where the landscape is composed of fine sandy beaches, wave-eroded cliffs, and dense tropical rainforests. The building is inserted into the slope at a subtle angle, slightly diverging from the contour lines so that it gradually descends toward sea level from east to west. Positioned along the threshold between vegetation and rock, the architecture embodies a gesture that transitions from stone to forest, merging seamlessly into its natural context.
In terms of spatial organization, the laboratory and the residential units are independently embedded within the jungle. The residences, seeking privacy, are placed away from the main public volume, while the laboratory is partially buried beneath the ground, connecting to the main entrance hall. Together, they form a vertically interwoven and spatially permeable relationship.
The southern façade of the main public building traces a straight, assertive line, appearing to cut into the mountain with a sense of deliberate intrusion. In contrast, the northern contour is eroded and reshaped by the terrain, giving rise to an interior experience that feels both natural and transformative. Moving from the entrance toward the innermost space evokes a journey into the mountain itself—transitioning from light to shadow, from air to earth.
School: Rice University
Project Role: Indiviaudal Project
Floor Area: 5000m²
Instructor: Carlos Jiménez
Location:
Punta Islita, Costa Rica
10/11/2025