........ Costa Rica ............... Juan Robles

Juan Robles, San José, Costa Rica

Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2006

[ remote : self-sufficient : prefabricated : house : institute : tropical ]

Casa Iseami, Osa Peninsula, Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica

Juan Robles Arquitectos

The house is located on Peninsula de Osa, a place where the 5% of the world biodiversity is embodied. The house is the first stage of the ISEAMI institute (Institute of Sustainability, Ecology, Art, Mind and Investigation). The house will serve as a multifunctional place for activities such as investigation, meditation, training and yoga, at the terrace located in the first level. The Institute director will live in the house on the second level. This way, possible functions are maximised on the smallest possible area.

The secluded project site is located at 30 km from the closest town, Puerto Jimenez. The house does not have any public service of electricity or water, and has had to be 100% self sufficient. A water source concession was obtained on the protected forest inside the property which, as well as supplying natural drinking water, provides a flow of water to produce energy with 2 hydroelectric generators that produce a total of 800KW/H. The roof of the house becomes a solar power plant with a production capability of 10.800KW/H. The hybrid energy system provides enough energy for the house, and the caretaker and maintenance housing.

The materials for the house were selected with regard to the difficult environment of the Osa Peninsula - humidity, high percentage of rain, mould, fungi. A steel framed structure supports insulated wall panels used for the walls and roof, because of their solar reflectance index, insulation properties, and because they are light and easy to transport and install.

Passive design strategies include elevating the house 1 meter above the ground (water permeability in the ground will be possible), optimum orientation (southeast-northwest) for cross ventilation, large overhangs to create shadows, external louvred sun screens in order to control the interior temperatures. An important goal was to facilitate its recyclable potential. The construction system is based on a prefab method to reduce the construction time and reduce environmental impact on the site.

The house is the result of an investigation of a tropical house built on a remote and difficult site in which the main objective is to promote the wellbeing of the environment, the community and its occupants.

Photography - Sergio Pucci

Robles Arquitectos -

http://www.roblesarq.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston4 July 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org