The constraint
The lot sits in a protected zone requiring a SETENA filing, with no reliable municipal water and grid service that drops out in the green season. Tree cover was to remain essentially untouched.
Playa Guiones, Nosara · Nicoya & Cóbano · 2024
Casa Guiones
Off a municipal water main, inside an environmentally sensitive zone, and net-zero on annual energy. The constraints were the brief.
- Type
- Net-zero villa
- Area
- 265 m²
- Bedrooms
- 3
- Duration
- 13 months
- System
- Light-gauge steel · Timber
- Cantón
- Nicoya & Cóbano
What we did
Light-gauge steel frame to reduce foundation footprint among the root zones, passive cross-ventilation sized to keep mechanical cooling off, rainwater capture with treatment, and a PV array with storage sized against the real measured load.
Outcome
Net positive on annual generation. Rainwater capture covers household demand through all but the driest six weeks.
Next step
Tell us about the lot.
Send us the plano catastrado and a rough idea of what you want to build. We will come back with a feasibility read on what the site actually allows, what it is likely to cost, and how long permitting will take in your cantón.
Request a consultation +506 0000 0000
Replies within one business day. Consultations in English or Spanish.