Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Archello Awards 2026 · Enter your projects before 30 September 2026
Casa MAD
Alvaro Fonseca

A house around trees

Casa MAD is a two-story residence in Costa Rica. It was conceived as a dialogue between architecture and the natural landscape. Rather than imposing itself on the site, the design embraces the existing trees, allowing the built form to adapt organically to their presence. The house unfolds around a sequence of internal, lateral, and frontal courtyards that bring light and ventilation into every space, creating an intimate relationship between interior life and the surrounding vegetation. Each courtyard becomes a pause — a moment where architecture and nature meet in quiet equilibrium.

photo_credit Alvaro Fonseca
Alvaro Fonseca
photo_credit Alvaro Fonseca
Alvaro Fonseca

A distinctive rotated and cantilevered volume projects toward the horizon, framing the spectacular views of the city below. This gesture defines the character of the house, introducing a sense of movement and tension between solidity and lightness. Materials such as exposed concrete, wood, and glass emphasize contrast and continuity, while natural ventilation and shade from the preserved trees regulate comfort and reduce the environmental footprint. The design seeks balance between openness and privacy, between permanence and change.

photo_credit Alvaro Fonseca
Alvaro Fonseca

 

The result is a residence that merges contextual sensitivity with architectural precision — an inhabitable framework where trees, light, and geometry coexist in harmony. It reflects a contemporary way of living that values stillness, transparency, and connection to place, reaffirming the idea that true modernity can coexist gracefully with nature.

photo_credit Alvaro Fonseca
Alvaro Fonseca
photo_credit Alvaro Fonseca
Alvaro Fonseca

Project credits

Architects
Structural Engineer
Electrical and MEP
general contractors

Product spec sheet

Manufacturers
all Wood Work exterior and interior

Project data

Project Year
2025
Primary Building Material
Concrete
Building Area
560 m2
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