Instinto Estudio: Located just steps from one of Costa Rica's most iconic beaches, Playa Guiones, Casa Liza emerges as a project deeply respectful of its surroundings. The house's L-shaped configuration fosters a direct connection with the outdoors, allowing all spaces to benefit from natural light and ventilation while carefully integrating the structure among the existing trees to minimize impact and strengthen the relationship with nature.
The site's natural slope enabled the creation of a slab configuration that gently guides visitors from the entrance to the front door. This design establishes a direct connection to the surroundings, ensuring that the path through space blends seamlessly with the environment. As you walk this path, the house gradually reveals itself, initially hidden from view until one ventures deeper into the site. Casa Liza is immersed in a lush tropical garden, and this journey through the landscape enhances the sense of discovery.
This approach to design is something we always strive for in our studio: ensuring the project merges with its environment, creating a harmonious relationship between the built and natural surroundings. The integration of the project extends beyond spatial experience and into the very way it was built. From the early stages, we sought a construction method that aligned with the vision of minimizing environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and precision. Thus, we implemented the Doppel System, a modular prefabrication method that optimized the construction process.
This method not only reduced execution times but also helped minimize waste and optimize material use, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. By utilizing this system, we were able to define precise connection points that facilitated assembly while also creating a pattern consistent with the architectural expression of the project. This level of control over both design and execution resulted in a fast organized construction process.
One of Casa Liza’s most distinctive features is the pergola, not only for its visual appeal but also for its functionality. Designed to allow year-round enjoyment of the terrace, it provides shade on sunny days while encouraging air circulation for enhanced comfort. The deliberate arrangement of its elements creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow throughout the day, adding rhythm and depth to the space. Additionally, it extends the social area outward, offering a protected and versatile outdoor space.
Another key design element is the louvers, which appear in multiple areas of the house. Their design filters light in a controlled manner, creating a warm and ever-changing atmosphere throughout the day. Beyond their aesthetic value, these elements—along with the surrounding vegetation—contribute to privacy, particularly in bathrooms, where they form a subtle barrier without compromising natural light and ventilation.
At the heart of the project, the pool serves as the central gathering space, with each area oriented towards it. Positioned to receive sunlight throughout the day, it naturally becomes the focal point of outdoor life, fostering moments of relaxation and connection.
Casa Liza’s interior design is characterized by a meticulous selection of materials that evoke warmth and balance. A natural color palette, combined with textures and organic patterns, reinforces the home’s relationship with its environment. Soft surfaces that recall the smoothness of stone and finishes inspired by nature’s fluid forms create a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere.
Every detail in Casa Liza contributes to a unique sensory experience, where architecture and nature exist in perfect harmony.
