Formafatal

Escape to the Wild: Formafatal’s Breathtaking Costa Rican Retreats Merge Nature and Design

Jungle Hideaways in Costa Rica.

Once upon a time, in a beautiful jungle landscape in Costa Rica, a team of architects from Formafatal had a vision. They wanted to create a pair of hideaways that would blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings and offer visitors a unique and immersive experience.

And so, the architects set to work. They built the holiday rental properties on a steep hill, only 12 meters apart, using a combination of clay and expansive glass panels. They employed a “barely there” approach, doing away with any ornamentation, and keeping the lines clean and the materials simple.

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The exteriors of the hideaways were crafted from clay soil that was excavated from the site during construction, a process known as “rammed earth”. This method creates a raw, almost industrial look that perfectly complements the concrete and structural steel used in the rest of the dwellings. The founder of the studio, Dagmar Stepanova, chose the materials to be as durable as possible, considering the Costa Rican climate and high humidity. She even worked alongside a rammed earth specialist from Brazil, who trained the local craftsmen in creating structures using this method.

But the architects didn’t stop there. To distinguish one hideaway from the other, they developed individual color concepts. One, called the Jaspis Villa, features light sandy shades, while the other, called the Nefrit Villa, is more earthy red tones. “The color concept of interiors responds to the energies that were perceived in the location of the villas before their construction,” Stepanova explains.

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Inside, the floor plan foregoes doors in favor of a completely open-plan layout. Sliding panels provide privacy for the shower and toilet room, while the frameless glass windows open out onto the terrace. In terms of furniture and lighting, pieces were hand-selected in accordance with the color palette, with works from designers across the globe featured in both homes.

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And with that, the hideaways were complete. Visitors can now immerse themselves in the lush jungle landscape, while enjoying all the comforts of a modern home. And so, the architects’ vision was realized, and the hideaways lived happily ever after.


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