Casa Ojalá is a private 4550m2 residence tucked away in the mountains of a small beach town on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. The architects planned a two-level home integrated into the hillside. However, they faced challenges during construction related to slope stability and excessive cut and fill, leading to erosion issues. During the initial construction phase, VIDA was brought in to develop a landscape master plan aimed at addressing stability concerns and stormwater management, as well as designing communal areas that foster a stronger connection to the surrounding nature.
VIDA aims to establish a deep connection with its surroundings. As a boutique landscape firm, we specialize in creating living spaces where the landscape is integral to everyday life. Whether it’s a private terrace or shared gardens, we strive for these areas to contribute significantly to unforgettable living experiences.
Given the home’s hilltop location, the goal was to reforest the property to reduce the regional visual impact and foster biological movement. The solution was to create stone pathways and tropical corridors to serve as the connective tissue, seamlessly blending in with the natural surroundings and enhancing the overall flow and integration of indoor and outdoor areas. Expansive openings connect the home to the outdoors, making this the ultimate ocean-view retreat.
The exterior communal zones were designed to be open to the elements, with a dry tropical forest now enveloping the home. Allowing its residents to immerse themselves in nature from the moment they step onto the property, whether it be an entranceway, deck, or stairway – there is an immediate connection.
Working with stone
VIDA designed meandering stone pathways that surround the home’s exterior, blurring the boundary between where the house ends and nature begins. Design often overlooks areas such as the back of the house, but here they feature tropical corridors that seamlessly weave through the fabric of the home’s exterior, connecting users to different communal zones.
Stonemasonry plays a vital role in the exterior palette – a combination of volcanic stones, river pebbles, and stone slabs, complemented by rich-hued tropical plants creating resilience and textural abundance. Incredibly detailed stone retention murals were crafted by local artisans, with each stone hand-shaped and carefully placed.
The home’s centerpiece is the sunset terrace — a stunning ocean-view meditative space with a grading system made from locally sourced volcanic stone. Both are aesthetically pleasing and essential for soil stabilization. The sunset terrace has a restrained material palette to give a contemplative atmosphere that allows its residents to be surrounded by nature and soothed by the sound of the ocean. Large sculptural boulders create a sense of timelessness as if they had always been there.
The cultivated wild
VIDA strongly believes in nature-based planning and thrives on thinking outside the box to propose new, unique ideas while acknowledging the constraints each project brings. The concept of the cultivated wild means designing spaces that exude lushness and abundance while harmonizing with the environment for lasting impact. In our work within the dry tropical forest with its extreme weather patterns, we selected a plant palette that feels abundant but is not water-intensive.
A diverse selection of native and adaptive plants has been thoughtfully implemented to seamlessly blend architecture with nature. In addition, tall palm trees have been strategically positioned to enhance privacy around the multi-level home while framing stunning ocean views from the upper levels. All complemented by design features utilizing stormwater management and infiltration areas to slow down peak flows and allow water to infiltrate back into the soil.
More tropical varieties like Philodendron selloum and Clusia rosea were strategically placed in narrow corridors naturally shaded by the house to create a microclimate. Medicinal native shrubs like lemon verbena and cilantro coyote, along with edible plants were blended in throughout the natural corridors to encourage foraging and to assist as pollinator plants for the bees.
Hidden spaces
We designed a pergola area surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, serving as a relaxing space that also effectively conceals the adjacent biodigester – an essential system used for converting greywater for irrigation. To obscure the view of the main entrance and parking lot from the above levels, we installed a roof garden featuring succulents and cacti. Ficus macrocarpa and Ceiba pentandra frame a discreet entry into the home.
The main pool area is lined by masses of pollinator-attracting Russelia that feed on their nectar. Mixes of Zamias and Dioons, along with other Mesoamerican Cycads species provide a calming and cool environment.
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be challenging to find time to disconnect and immerse ourselves in nature. The retreat-style design of this home is naturally conducive to fostering deeper connections with the landscape. Whether you’re strolling through lush winding corridors, enjoying morning tea in the pergola, or relaxing in a hammock surrounded by towering ferns, daily life becomes richer and more connected to the incredible nature that surrounds us.
Location: Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Design year: 2020
Year Completed: 2022
