• Punta Cacique Hillside Village

    Guanacaste, Costa Rica

    This upscale resort community on the west coast of Costa Rica will serve as a regional shopping destination for both visitors and residents. Consistent with the traditional colonial settlement design of the region, the plan conforms to the natural topography of the site, clinging to the crown of a ridge. The central square is on two levels: a large street-level plaza with a fountain and a smaller upper plaza on top of an existing knoll offering spectacular views of the ocean and countryside. These plazas are flanked by shops, outdoor markets, and an environmental education center and are connected by landscaped terraces, which double as viewing platforms. All buildings are oriented to take advantage of ocean breezes and sunlight to increase natural lighting, heating, and cooling, thereby reducing the need for electricity.

    Client: Revolution Places
    Size: 80,000 gross square feet
    Completion: 2007
    print version