Welcome to the lush, vibrant landscape that reshaped how I live and design. Costa Rica isn’t just my home — it’s the living blueprint behind everything I build. With its stunning biodiversity, grounded lifestyle, and climate-forward mindset, this small country offers big lessons for sustainable living.
Let’s explore why it matters.
After years in fast-paced cities like Miami, New York, and London, I chose Costa Rica for what it offers in abundance — nature, community, presence, and peace. This country isn’t just a destination; it’s a transformation. The sounds of howler monkeys, the flash of a turquoise motmot, the daily dance of light across stone walls — it’s all part of the experience.
Costa Rica is one of only a few countries in the world without a military — but it’s not just peace that defines it. This is a place built on biodiversity, intention, and resilience. From the cloud forests of Monteverde to the surf breaks of Guanacaste, nature is never far away — and it shapes how people live.
The national motto “Pura Vida” isn’t a cliché — it’s a philosophy. It’s slower, simpler, and surprisingly radical in a world that rarely pauses.
Every day, Costa Rica teaches me something new — about sustainability, adaptation, patience, and awe. These lessons are infused into my design process and personal journey.
Every day in Costa Rica is an invitation to observe, learn, and adapt. Whether it’s harvesting rainwater, building with local teak, or adjusting routines to the rhythm of the dry and rainy seasons, nature constantly teaches balance.
Living here has made me a better designer. It’s taught me how architecture can work with its environment, not against it — and how beauty often comes from restraint.
My home, Casa Bosque Tranquilo, is tucked into the dry tropical forest of Guanacaste, where deer, monkeys, and butterflies are frequent visitors. The house terraces down a hillside, wrapped in native gardens and natural stone. It’s not just where I live — it’s a living lab for sustainable design and conscious living.
My daily life is rooted in a small town near Tamarindo, tucked between the coast and the dry tropical forest. It’s a mix of old-school rural charm, monkeys in the trees, and surprisingly strong Wi-Fi.
Here, the boundaries between home, work, and nature dissolve. Breakfast happens outside. Work breaks include birdsong and hammocks. It’s imperfect — but grounding. And it’s taught me that true sustainability starts with how you live, not just what you build.
Becoming a resident of Costa Rica redefined my pace, my priorities, and my sense of purpose. I’ve built friendships with neighbors who value community and simplicity. I’ve learned Spanish at my own rhythm and embraced the quirks and beauty of rural life.
Living abroad isn’t always easy, but it’s deeply enriching. Costa Rica has challenged me to grow in unexpected ways — linguistically, socially, spiritually. From celebrating Fiestas Cívicas in town to navigating the slow-moving bureaucracy with a smile, every day offers a lesson in humility and humanity.
Connection here doesn’t require perfection — just presence. And that’s reflected in my design work too.
Cultural takeaway: Costa Rica has shown me that community is built through shared space, shared meals, and shared respect. That’s the kind of architecture I believe in.
“Living here isn’t just about slowing down — it’s about waking up. To nature. To people. To yourself.”
Costa Rica’s climate, culture, and biodiversity deeply inform my architectural philosophy. I use passive cooling, native materials, rainwater systems, and layout strategies inspired by traditional tropical design — but with a contemporary and human-centered approach.
Design here isn’t hypothetical — it’s a necessity. Buildings must breathe in extreme humidity, shield from the sun, and adapt to seasonal shifts in rainfall. That means passive cooling, natural ventilation, shaded corridors, and water-conscious systems aren’t luxuries — they’re standard.
Here’s how it shows up in my work:
• 🌿 Passive tropical cooling strategies
• ☀️ Deep overhangs and sun studies before orientation
• 🚿 Indoor–outdoor showers that conserve water + elevate lifestyle
• 🧱 Local stone, teak, and bamboo — sustainably sourced
Costa Rica has helped me move beyond aesthetics and toward purpose-driven design.
Experience Costa Rica through my eyes. From morning walks to afternoon design sketches, from gardening to jungle hikes — this is my daily inspiration.
Sometimes it’s the small moments — picking bananas in the morning, watching a motmot land on your terrace, walking barefoot more days than not — that remind you what matters. This gallery shares visual glimpses from my everyday life in Costa Rica.
It’s not filtered or curated for perfection. Just real life. Grounded. Alive. Grateful.
Costa Rica’s climate, culture, and biodiversity deeply inform my architectural philosophy. I use passive cooling, native materials, rainwater systems, and layout strategies inspired by traditional tropical design — but with a contemporary and human-centered approach.
