Costa Rican architectural firm Gussa has unveiled a peaceful eco-lodge located on the country’s beautiful Caribbean coastline. Esquina Verde is a cozy rental accommodation made out of locally sourced materials and reclaimed wood salvaged from a 100-year-old home. Surrounded by lush vegetation and native wildlife, the lodge’s multiple hammocks that hang from the thatched roofs make it an idyllic place to disconnect.
Located just outside of Cahuita National Park in Limon, Esquina Verde is a serene retreat that provides park visitors with a place to stay while they explore the area. The indoor/outdoor nature of the two bedroom, two bathroom guest house lets guests completely immerse themselves in the tropical forest backdrop, which is home to some incredible wildlife.
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Inspired by the natural setting, the architects wanted the project to reflect and protect the environment. The first step was to repurpose loads of reclaimed wood that was salvaged from a 100-year-old home being demolished near the site. This timber was originally imported from the U.S. to be used in the island’s banana plantations.
The rest of the lodge was almost entirely prefabricated off-site in San Jose. Once delivered to the lot, it was put together using a simple bolt system that held the steel frame in place. To protect the structure from the region’s infamous heavy rains and high humidity, the lodge incorporates several resilient design features. Esquina Verde has multiple connecting volumes, all of which are elevated off of the landscape to reduce the impact on the terrain. The lifted building also protects itself from flash flooding, which commonly occurs in this part of the country.
The eco-lodge is arranged around a central courtyard with a small swimming pool. The main structure, which is two stories, features a wide thatched roof and a wrap-around porch, where guests can enjoy views of the lush tree canopy. Underneath the roof overhangs, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open up completely to provide air circulation and a deeper connection to the environment.
Images via Gussa
