Villas Raíces begins with a simple belief: before architecture arrives, the land is already complete.

There is already a landscape, a climate, trees that have taken years to grow, water finding its way through the soil, shade, wind, wildlife, and an entire ecosystem that does not need architecture in order to exist. For us, designing responsibly begins by recognizing this — and asking how we can inhabit a place without erasing what was there before us.

This is why Villas Raíces was conceived not as an object placed on the mountain, but as an architecture that carefully finds its place within it.

Located in Ecovilla San Mateo, Costa Rica, the villas are elevated on stilts, reducing their contact with the ground and allowing the natural topography to remain largely untouched. Instead of clearing the site to make room for architecture, the architecture responds to the site. Existing trees are preserved whenever possible; some come remarkably close to the buildings, becoming part of the experience of inhabiting them.

The tropical climate becomes another guide. Deep roof overhangs provide protection from sun and rain, while high ceilings, generous openings, and cross ventilation allow air to move naturally through the spaces. These passive strategies reduce dependence on mechanical systems while creating interiors that remain open, breathable, and deeply connected to the mountain.

The material palette follows the same search for honesty and simplicity. Exposed concrete and natural wood define the architecture without competing with its surroundings. Within this restrained geometry, a circular window creates a small moment of pause — a place to sit, read, and simply observe the landscape.

The terraces extend toward the large ficus tree at the front, almost becoming bridges between architecture and vegetation. Here, the boundary between inside and outside becomes less important. The house does not end at its walls; its experience continues into the trees, the changing light, the breeze, and the sounds of the mountain.

For us, caring for the land through design does not mean believing that building can happen without impact. Every act of construction leaves a trace. Our responsibility is to make that trace as thoughtful as possible.