Striking Off-Grid House on the Osa Penninsula in Costa Rica

Within the wilds of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/21/son-builds-mom-a-bamboo-house-with-a-moon-view-in-costa-rica/">Costa Rican</a> rain forest on the Osa Peninsula sits Casa Torcida, a beautiful modern home designed by <a href="http://www.spgarchitects.com/work.php?section=3&amp;project=70" target="_blank">SPG Architects</a>. Although its footprint is large in terms of square footage, it is surprisingly light on the environment and is able to run completely off-grid thanks to a solar system on the roof and a micro-hydropower system located nearby. The owner's criteria for the home required that above all the home must be environmentally sensitive, technologically advanced and modernist by design. From the looks of it, it appears that the owners got what they wanted.

The residence is set on a 100-acre property on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica and features views of the ocean below.

When SPG Architects took the job they set to work transforming an abandoned construction site into an elegant steel-framed concrete slab structure, which they used to create the masterpiece that is Casa Torcida.

The five-story, 18,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor residence includes an infinity pool as well as a rooftop yoga deck.

The owners insisted that the home be environmentally sensitive, technologically advanced, and modernist by design.

The home's materials include steel, stainless steel, concrete and wood found locally on the site and hand crafted into beautiful accents.

The library showcases clean and simple lines accented with warm tropical colors.

Energy-efficient appliances were chosen for the whole house to further reduce energy consumption.

Solar passive design features strongly in the layout to minimize solar heat gain. Large overhangs protect the interior from direct sunlight.

Meanwhile, natural ventilation provided by operable windows, doors and louvers helps eliminate the need for air conditioning.

Taking inspiration from the home's surroundings, SPG juxtaposed bright, tropical colors against the neutral palette of the building materials. These colors reflect the abundant brightly-colored flora and fauna native to the property.

Starting on the second floor, viewers can glimpse the ocean and the Golfo Dulce below.

Rainwater is channeled from the roof into a 75,000 gallon tank, providing for all of the home's water needs.

A solar system on the roof provides enough power for the entire house for most of the year, while a solar hot water system creates all of the domestic hot water.

Here is the battery bank, which stories energy from the home's massive photovoltaic array.

During the rainy season when the sun shines less, a backup micro hydro system in a nearby stream generates additional power for the house.

Here the infinity pool looks out over the jungle at dusk.