Costa Rica Treehouse

[{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Built for environmentalist clients who surf, this carbon-positive\nhouse is inspired by the jungle that surrounds it on Costa Rica\u2019s Pacific\ncoast. The home is made entirely of locally harvested teak, and it engages with\nthe jungle on each of its three levels. It was envisioned as an open-air\nsurfer\u2019s hut that allows ocean breezes and ample daylight to permeate its\nspaces. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"When staying at the house, the routine of the clients and their two\nyoung children revolves entirely around surfing. They move back and forth\nbetween the property and the water, from morning until night, underscoring\ntheir intimate relationship with the incredibly bio-diverse jungle. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"At the start of the project, the clients introduced the design team\nto their temporary home, a tent that sat atop a wooden platform in a small\nnatural clearing. Originally built by the mother of one of the clients, the\ntent\u2019s double-canvas layer offered protection from the elements, while the\nplatform elevated them above the activity of the jungle floor. The tent\ninformed the clients\u2019 vision for a new home: a simple but more permanent fixture in the landscape."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In the new home, the ground floor opens to the jungle floor, while\nthe middle level is nestled in the trees. The top level stands above the tree\ncanopy, offering the family sweeping views of surf at nearby Playa Hermosa\nbeach. A series of wooden screens\u2014hand-operable to foster active engagement\nwith the context\u2014on all floors allow air and light into the house. As a result,\nthe quality of light shifts throughout the day as framed and filtered views\nrespond to the interplay of light and shadow. "]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u201cThe\nnatural-formed trees as columns work very well here. It\u2019s cool that it is\nentirely wood and that the exterior expression fits right into the jungle.\u201d\u2013 Jury comment"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A generous roof overhang functions much like a tree canopy, offering\nshade and rain protection. A 3.5 kW solar array on the roof supplies all of the\nhome\u2019s power during daylight hours and also powers the pool\u2019s circulation pump.\nDuring the rainy season, all water needs are met using a subterranean rain\ncatchment system. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In many ways, the home is a large solar umbrella sitting on four\nlive-edge teak logs and enclosed by porous screens. Though it is not an\nindigenous species, teak grows quickly in Costa Rica, and much of the wood was\nsourced locally. The home was built by a local builder and craftsmen, using as\nmuch local material as possible. "]]]]},"title":"Project Highlights"},{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6077668-framework-for-design-excellence","target","_new"]],["strong"],["em"]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The "],[0,[0],1,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"],[0,[],0," represents the defining principles of good design in the 21st century. Comprised of 10 principles and accompanied by searching questions, the Framework seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment. Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Integration"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was there a design charrette? "],[0,[],0,"Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Equitable Communities"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Level of community engagement:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"No community engagement practices were applied for this\nproject\n."]]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Ecosystems"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supported vegetation (landscape or green roof) pre-development: "],[0,[],0,"Unknown"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supports vegetation post-development:"],[0,[],0," Unknown"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area covered by native plants supporting native or migratory species and pollinators:"],[0,[],0," Unknown"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Strategies used to promote Design for Ecosystems:"],[0,[],0," Unknown"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Water"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for irrigation?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for cooling?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is grey\/blackwater reused on-site?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is rainwater collected on-site?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Stormwater managed on-site:"],[0,[],0," Unknown"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Energy"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"2030 Commitment baseline EUI:"],[0,[],0," 44 kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Predicted net EUI including on-site renewables:"],[0,[],0," .17 kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Reduction from the benchmark: "],[0,[],0,"99%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is the project all-electric?"],[0,[],0," Unknown"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Well-being"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Level of air filters installed: "],[0,[],0,"Unknown"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was a \u201cchemicals of concern\u201d list used to inform material selection?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Do greater than 90% of occupied spaces have a direct view to the outdoors? "],[0,[],0,"Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Resources"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Were embodied carbon emissions estimated for this project?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Change"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Estimated service life: "],[0,[],0,"100"],[0,[1],1," "],[0,[],0,"years"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Floor area, if any, representing adapting existing buildings:"],[0,[],0," Unknown"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Ability to survive without utility power:"],[0,[],0," Passive\nsurvivability"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Risk assessment and resilience services provided: "],[0,[],0,"Unknown"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Discovery"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Has a post-occupancy evaluation been conducted? "],[0,[],0,"No, and a POE will not be conducted"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Building performance transparency steps taken:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Present the design,\noutcomes, and\/or lessons learned to the office.\n"]]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Disclaimer"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"This information is being provided as a convenience and has been prepared by third parties. It is provided for informational purposes only. Providing this material does not constitute an endorsement or approval by AIA of any of the information. AIA bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of this information. Please use at your own discretion."]]]]},"title":"Framework for Design Excellence"}]