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Bromelia
Bromelia
Barva, Costa Rica
Project Featured on Jun 24, 2026
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Bromelia
Barva, Costa Rica
Project Featured on Jun 24, 2026
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2022
SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft
BUDGET
$50K - 100K
Within one of the few remaining forest remnants on the slopes of Barva Volcano, [Bromelia] is a family project conceived by a close friend as a home for his family.
The project’s concept emerges directly from its context, drawing inspiration from the bromeliad—an epiphytic plant of the Bromeliaceae family. These plants live on logs or rocks that act as hosts, and their tank-like morphology allows them to capture and retain water and organic matter essential for their survival. The site itself is characterized by constant rainfall or mist throughout the year, with an average temperature of 17°C and high humidity.
While the project references the bromeliad as a conceptual anchor tied to place, it deliberately inverts some of its characteristics. Rather than storing water and matter, the architecture is designed to shed them, creating conditions of shelter and comfort.
A simple, low-cost structural system generates space through two planes that simultaneously function as wall and roof, enabling the rapid evacuation of water and debris. Much like the bromeliad, the project rests on two concrete service cores that provide structural support and from which the building is suspended. This approach allows natural water runoff to flow uninterrupted across the terrain, preserving existing site dynamics.
Additionally, the elevated condition promotes effective ventilation of the mezzanines, aiding in humidity control. This is complemented by controlled cross-ventilation and a skylight that not only marks the passage of time but also introduces natural light and a degree of thermal gain.
The use of low-maintenance materials allows the project to age alongside its surroundings, gradually integrating into the forest. Over time, certain elements may be reclaimed by the ecosystem, allowing the site to slowly reassert itself.
The project’s concept emerges directly from its context, drawing inspiration from the bromeliad—an epiphytic plant of the Bromeliaceae family. These plants live on logs or rocks that act as hosts, and their tank-like morphology allows them to capture and retain water and organic matter essential for their survival. The site itself is characterized by constant rainfall or mist throughout the year, with an average temperature of 17°C and high humidity.
While the project references the bromeliad as a conceptual anchor tied to place, it deliberately inverts some of its characteristics. Rather than storing water and matter, the architecture is designed to shed them, creating conditions of shelter and comfort.
A simple, low-cost structural system generates space through two planes that simultaneously function as wall and roof, enabling the rapid evacuation of water and debris. Much like the bromeliad, the project rests on two concrete service cores that provide structural support and from which the building is suspended. This approach allows natural water runoff to flow uninterrupted across the terrain, preserving existing site dynamics.
Additionally, the elevated condition promotes effective ventilation of the mezzanines, aiding in humidity control. This is complemented by controlled cross-ventilation and a skylight that not only marks the passage of time but also introduces natural light and a degree of thermal gain.
The use of low-maintenance materials allows the project to age alongside its surroundings, gradually integrating into the forest. Over time, certain elements may be reclaimed by the ecosystem, allowing the site to slowly reassert itself.
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