COCO | Art Villas Costa Rica
BoysPlayNice

COCO | Art Villas Costa Rica

ARCHWERK.cz as Concept and architectural design

Art Villas Resort in Costa Rican jungle with views of the Pacific Ocean consists of three unique villas and one multifunctional tropical pavilion
1/ Art Villa (concrete villa)
2/ Atelier Villa (tropical minimalistic villa)
3/ Coco Villa (a set of five egg shape houses)
4/ Wing (tropical multifunctional pavilion)
3 villas = 3 architects = 3 different attitudes

The architects from the ARCHWERK studio are behind the architectural concept of Coco Villa and Wing. The architects from Refuel works designed the architectural concept of the concrete Art Villa. The author of Atelier Villa is Formafatal studio headed by Dagmar Štěpánová. In addition to interior design, Formafatal imprinted the final form of each villa and united the entire Art Villas resort into a unique, integrated complex.

Above Hermosa Beach, near the Costa Rican town Uvita, on a steep 2.5-hectare tropical jungle slope – there is hidden Art Villas resort. COCO forms a part of the complex and represents a unique example of playful, glamping, sustainable and modern tropical architecture. When the investor approached the architects, he desired to create a place where the visitors merge with the surrounding nature, clear their mind and experience luxury and adventure at the same time. He wanted to create a place that digs deep into everyone´s heart.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

Architect’s note – ARCHWERK
Filip turned to us with an amazing challenge: to build with simple solutions and local materials a luxurious, but at the same time adventurous living, bringing the experience of an immediate stay in the Costa Rican jungle. According to his words, they should be "tree houses" placed on the hillside of the Art Villas resort, but in the freshly established garden without fully grown trees. And he asked for a design that no one had seen before. We designed a nest of several shelters located on a fall overlooking the valley and named them Coco.

In our design, we used our previous experience from the completion of our experimental design and build projects on the border of architecture, landscape architecture and urban design. The main construction material is local tropical wood, complemented by a tent canvas and metal elements. Rational construction is the basis of the design. It creates the form and atmosphere by itself, without needing of any added decoration. The construction principle allows flexibility in the size, shape and composition of several similar objects in complicated terrain. “The same creative principle is used by Nature for millions of years. The Nature inspires us to create an environment that we love and feel safe in. We follow on from to the principles of Natural Architecture, as formulated by our friend and teacher, architect Martin Rajniš”, says Martin Kloda.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

Architect’s note – Formafatal
Studio Formafatal followed up on the work of architects from Archwerk and, together with client Filip Žák, finished the layout of individual Coco buildings on the plot. A set of five small buildings levitates a few meters above the sloping terrain and is absorbed by lush tropical vegetation.

Studio Formafatal has sensitively connected the individual buildings by footbridges and stairs made of wood and expanded metal, which are mounted on steel columns. The platforms serve as stopping points for views of the countryside, or you can even jump on a trampoline on one of the landing.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

The footbridges and landings have minimalist shape and we intentionally designed them in clean lines, which are typical for other buildings in the resort. Only the main terraces in the two height levels are based on the form of the Coco houses themselves, the shapes are soft and organic. These terraces are set very close to the jungle and also offer views of the Pacific Ocean.

The interiors are minimalist and playful. You will not find anything unnecessary there, but at the same time nothing is missing. The focal point of each Coco bedroom is a bed that sits on a raised part of the floor. The layout in each cabin is designed to take advantage of the most breathtaking views, where monkeys and toucans can be seen directly from the bed. The mosquito net is kind of object in the object respecting the shape of the building and is the dominant element of every bedroom. Back of the beds are designed from the welded wire mesh.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

In each bedroom, a different color is chosen, which is further reflected in the color scheme of the dressing rooms. The artistic design for the woven headboards is not accidental. "When I thought about a motif that would fit into Coco, it evoked in me the canopy tours, which are very popular in Costa Rica. These are trails and zip lines high above the ground in the treetops and Coco are also scattered a few meters above the ground. That's why I used the motif of a climbing rope in the form of straps and colored cords, which also brings a color accent to Coco interiors”, says Dagmar Štěpánová.

In the largest Coco there is a shared kitchen with dining area. The red cabinet wall in the color of “mamón chinos (tropical fruit)” contains 2 refrigerators, 2 freezers and food cabinets. The kitchen island serves for meal preparation and offers plenty of storage space for all dishes. The dining table is a visual continuation of the island, as if it just tore off. This longitudinal axis is the intention and aims at a view of the Pacific Ocean. The rest of the interior of the Coco kitchen is equipped with wicker furniture and lighting of local production.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

Owner’s note – Filip Žák
Art Villas Resort features three bold and inspiring villas, each with a distinct architectural design. I love variety, and sensed that the three brilliant architects I chose could bring my visions to life. There is a space for everyone here: Art Villa is luxury. Atelier is design. CoCo is an experience for the bold. The one unifying element is eclectic minimalism, designed by Dagmar - Formafatal.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

CoCo Villa: A Tree Top Pod
Since I was a young boy, I’ve been fascinated with treehouses. I watched TV shows about treehouse construction, read every book on treehouses I could get my hands on, and searched the internet for that perfect treetop abode. Very little of what I saw fit my taste until I discovered a Taschen book about treehouses and discovered French designer Benoit Fray. His concept behind treehouses in Switzerland is, to say the least, extraordinary.

I wrote to Fray that night and asked for his expertise. He was unavailable, so thus began my search for the world’s best architects who specialize in wood. This led me to ARCHWERK, a small team of architects from Czech Republic. The trees on our property are not fully grown, but I wanted the pods to nestle over and amid vegetation to give the feeling of being on top of the trees. ARCHWERK and Formafatal dove into my vision with creative insight and masterful skill. They designed every part of CoCo.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

Welcome To An Exquisite Jungle Experience
CoCo Villas boasts a unique shape borne from an original design. Its construction was an incredible experiment with wood, metal, and a special seven-layer sail that we welded on the spot. Each pod is deeply entrenched in the jungle and offers an experience reserved for the brave.

The pods are exposed to nature and the elements. Rain only falls six months of the year in late afternoon cascades, and when a storm hits, it’s a dramatic and unforgettable experience. Transparent and white shutters protect the interior from rain and wind while allowing daylight to penetrate. Wedges of light and shadow filter through the big mosquito net that offers protection from wild jungle critters.

photo_credit BoysPlayNice
BoysPlayNice

When we first came to Costa Rica, we thought it was for the ocean and wild beaches. Now we realize that our symbiotic relationship is with the dense, green tropical forest. The jungle is our home, but it's not ours to own. It presents conditions that challenge us to stay present and respectfully aware of the laws of nature.

But not in spite of luxurious comfort...
Comfort and self-enhancing activities abound, from expert cuisine, massage, sauna, and yoga, as well as access to the spa pavilion and professional fitness room. A large trampoline and playroom keep children active, engaged, and social. Art workshops as well as body, mind, and soul retreats connect you to like-minded people. Here you can indulge in life’s pleasures with playfulness and curiosity, in solidarity with nature.

Caption
Caption
Project Credits
Photographers
Interior design, exterior finishing
Concept and architectural design
Landscape architect - greenery and garden elements
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrand
Nesting coffee table set, Round tray coffee table set Notre Monde
FurnitureInterlude Home
LED spot WAC Lighting
Product Spec Sheet
Nesting coffee table set, Round tray coffee table set
Nesting coffee table set, Round tray coffee table set by Notre Monde
Furniture
Aubrey Cylinder Side Table Black Nickel by Interlude Home
LED spot
Monopoints by WAC Lighting
Featured Projects
Latest Products
News
Studiotamat unveils a vividly hued vinyl boutique for Roman record label Sounds Familiar
31 Mar 2023 News
Studiotamat unveils a vividly hued vinyl boutique for Roman record label Sounds Familiar

Nestled within a tiny space in the heart of Travestere in Rome, Roman record label, Sounds Familiar... More

A signature ergonomically curved brick wall defines the Mutu Loka cafe in Bandung, Indonesia
31 Mar 2023 News
A signature ergonomically curved brick wall defines the Mutu Loka cafe in Bandung, Indonesia

Founded in 2022, the Mutu Loka cafe, designed by Aaksen Responsible Aarchitecture, drew inspiration... More

Yang Fei reimagines a historical townhouse as a contemporary art centre in Montreal
31 Mar 2023 News
Yang Fei reimagines a historical townhouse as a contemporary art centre in Montreal

Set in the context of the historic harbour of old Montreal, the Maison Sédimentation, designe... More

Grau Architects craft a minimal wooden pavilion that pays homage to Japanese tea houses in Czechia
30 Mar 2023 News
Grau Architects craft a minimal wooden pavilion that pays homage to Japanese tea houses in Czechia

Set amidst lush riparian trees on a piece of land overlooking the Hrabinka lake in Czechia, the tea... More

25 best architecture firms in Stockholm
30 Mar 2023 News
25 best architecture firms in Stockholm

Swedish architecture has become in the 21st century a global reference for the use of light, simple,... More

10 beautiful restaurants characterized by ceramic tiles
29 Mar 2023 Specification
10 beautiful restaurants characterized by ceramic tiles

For decades, ceramic tiles have been a staple of restaurant interior design. In addition to being pr... More

MIA Design Studio crafts the Ashui Pavilion using scaffolding and flowing white drapes in Vietnam
27 Mar 2023 News
MIA Design Studio crafts the Ashui Pavilion using scaffolding and flowing white drapes in Vietnam

Vietnam’s Ashui Awards return this year with a brand-new pavilion designed by MIA Design Studi... More

Distracted house in Jakarta reflects vernacular-Indonesian architecture in a modern, dynamic form
27 Mar 2023 News
Distracted house in Jakarta reflects vernacular-Indonesian architecture in a modern, dynamic form

Taking cues from the traditional Indonesian architecture of a Joglo house, this house in South Jakar... More