Set on a sloping site that descends toward a ravine, with ocean views beyond, Casa Akíga is a private residence designed by Studio Saxe in Cabo Velas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The project responds to the site’s steep topography through a sequence of spaces embedded within the landscape, balancing passive, climate-responsive design with expansive views of the surrounding jungle and Pacific Ocean.
The house does not reveal itself immediately. Instead, it remains partially hidden within the terrain and framed by the surrounding landscape. From the street, only fragments are visible, allowing the natural setting to take precedence.
As people move through the property, the architecture gradually unfolds. The experience is defined by a close relationship to the tropical vegetation, with the house immersed in the jungle while maintaining distant views toward the ocean.
This dual condition—being rooted in nature while looking outward to the broader landscape—shapes the character of the residence. The spaces appear to emerge from the land rather than being imposed upon it.
Two primary structures are positioned across the site and connected by a bridge that encourages movement through the landscape rather than over it. More than a circulation route, the bridge offers opportunities to observe the surrounding vegetation, wildlife, and changing natural light.
Throughout the residence, carefully positioned openings frame views and create unexpected visual connections with the outdoors, reinforcing the sense of discovery.
Material strategy
The material strategy is rooted in the local context. Artisan-built retaining walls constructed from locally sourced natural stone anchor the project within the landscape while reducing transportation impacts.
Timber elements introduce warmth and tactility throughout the residence. These include Lunawood Thermowood cladding and garage doors, which provide a durable, chemical-free timber solution with a long service life.
High-performance Fleetwood glazing maximizes daylight and natural ventilation while supporting long-term durability. Integrated photovoltaic panels generate renewable energy, complementing the home’s passive environmental strategies.
Construction and passive design strategies
The site presented complex topography, sloping in multiple directions. To address this, a series of retaining walls was introduced to shape the ground and create stable platforms.
Above this foundation, a lightweight steel structure allows the architecture to extend more freely across the site. The contrast between the substantial base and lighter structure above reinforces the impression that the house is both anchored within and suspended above the landscape.
With the house partially embedded in the terrain, the roof is its most prominent architectural gesture. Extending across the volumes, the roofline shelters the interiors while softening the boundary between inside and outside.
The surrounding earth provides thermal mass that helps stabilize indoor temperatures throughout the year while reducing the building's visual impact on the site.
Strategically placed openings admit natural light and promote continuous cross-ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling in Costa Rica’s tropical climate. Deep roof overhangs limit direct solar gain, while insulated roof assemblies and clay roof tiles further improve thermal performance.
