Nestled on the remote mountains of Palmichal de Acosta, Costa Rica, and surrounded by cloud forest, lies Casa Salvaje, a brutalist tropical haven. The wild house is 100% OFF-the-grid and relies on solar energy for power and on spring water captured uphill on the property.
The architect’s intent for this project was to frame the surrounding nature and capture the cosmic energies of such a privileged site. The materials for the house were carefully chosen to age well in the grueling elements of the tropics, but also to blend with the landscape. However, the pure geometrical shapes of the design, create the desired contrast between the architecture and the natural surroundings.
© Andres Garcia lachner
The house is entered through a poured concrete geometric space, that we call the ‘vortex’. Healing crystals were incrusted on the concrete floor, right beneath the circular sky opening, in order to capture moonlight, sunlight, rain, and celestial phenomena. These energies are then passed on to every visitor as they enter the house. The vortex has another circular opening to frame the mountain which is the focal point as you walk in, and the space doubles as a greenhouse for ferns, mountain orchids, and other endemic species. © Andres Garcia lachner
A vortex is a place of contemplation and stillness, where meditation sessions or intimate dinners with deep conversations can take place. The concrete walls were stamped with leaves found on site, while the exterior...