A Mediterranean-Tropical Refuge in Playa Guiones Nosara
Casa Mangos is an exquisite embodiment of Mediterranean style reinterpreted within the Costa Rican tropical context. Located in the heart of Playa Guiones Nosara, Guanacaste, this residence is a tribute to the harmony between architecture and nature, just steps from the beach and embraced by Guanacaste trees.
The house's design is a contemporary adaptation of the classic Mediterranean style, tailored to the lush tropical reality and enriched with elements of Costa Rican culture. The 'L' shaped architectural layout elegantly separates the social areas from the four private bedrooms, its elongated plan allowing for natural cross ventilation that circulates the breeze through its corridors and rooms.
The use of materials is dominated by concrete, limestone, palm, and wood. The wood, especially teak, has been crafted with the skill and precision of local carpenters, highlighting the value of fine craftsmanship. Local labor has not only given life to the structure but has also imbued the house with the essence of Costa Rican tradition.
In the artisanal work, the Costa Rican fretwork stands out, a detailed job that adorns selected spaces of the house, allowing light to filter through poetically and the boundary between the interior and exterior to fade. Limestone, a distinctive element of the Mediterranean, is used here not only for its coolness and beauty but also as a link between the architecture and the tropical landscape, adding a rich, earthy texture to the living spaces.
The presence of the traditional ranch is celebrated in the choice of a palm roof, a tribute to the ancestral construction techniques of Costa Rica that complements the modern design and provides a natural refuge from the tropical sun. This use of native materials reflects a deep respect for the environment and local culture.
At dusk, the residence transforms as light filters through wooden lattices, projecting a network of shadows that play upon the walls, a daily performance by the setting sun. This interplay of light and shadow is a deliberate design choice, highlighting the textural beauty of the materials and the artisanal prowess that has shaped them.
Casa Mangos is more than a residence; it is an experience of continuous connection with the environment, an interpretation of tropical life through a Mediterranean lens. It is a celebration of local heritage through the use of indigenous materials, a commitment to sustainability through natural ventilation and lighting, and a tribute to the stunning beauty of Playa Guiones Nosara.
Every element, from the architectural design to the choice of materials and the execution of craftsmanship, is a dialogue with the earth, offering a life that is both luxurious and authentically Costa Rican.
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