Casa Solai by Studio Saxe
Set on a hilltop above the Pacific in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, Casa Solai exemplifies the architectural language of Studio Saxe. Designed in 2024, the house features wooden pavilions that rise gently above the jungle canopy and frame panoramic ocean views. The interiors exhibit a soft, earthy palette with bespoke furniture pieces intricately tied to the home’s overall aesthetic. Built to be self-sustaining, the house incorporates passive design strategies for energy needs.
Two Pavilions Rise Above Jungle Canopy
Set on a hilltop above the Pacific in Santa Teresa, two wooden pavilions rise gently above the jungle canopy, framing panoramic ocean views.
Conceptual Dialogue Between Grounded and Airborne Elements
The concept is rooted in a dialogue between opposites — between the grounded and the airborne, the protected and the open. Two geometric forms, one anchored to the terrain and the other appearing to float, establish a design language that is at once structural and symbolic. A carefully composed interstitial space bridges these volumes, creating moments of transition, pause, and connection.
Grounded Volume Anchors to Terrain
Accessed via a gently stepping stone path framed by dense native planting, the home gradually reveals itself through layers of vegetation and crafted surfaces. The residence unfolds between two expressive volumes — both box-like yet distinct — one grounded in the hill, the other elevated and encased in a timber louver system.
These louvers are structurally supported by the second level, presenting both a technical challenge and a visual lightness that gives the home its floating character. Meticulous detailing in joinery and surface transitions is visible throughout, with every material junction carefully resolved to echo the purity of the overall concept. Large glass panels with slender frames maintain thermal comfort while inviting constant engagement with the environment.
Quiet Threshold Framed by Lush Vegetation
The interstitial space between volumes becomes a quiet threshold — framing the jungle beyond while choreographing circulation with the surrounding trees. An open stairwell floats within a vertical garden, while terraces cascade toward an infinity pool that mirrors the horizon. On select days of the year, the moon can be seen setting over the ocean — a quiet moment of natural theater framed by the home itself.
Interior Narrative Developed Over Six Years
The interiors reflect a seamless integration with the architectural envelope. Studio Saxe led the interior architecture, design, and decoration from the earliest conceptual stages, allowing for a unified spatial narrative developed over six years of collaboration. Locally sourced reforested teak ceilings and natural stone walls provide texture and continuity, while a soft, earthy palette evokes the dusty, coastal atmosphere of Santa Teresa.
A refined curation process balanced bespoke international elements with the work of local artists and craftspeople, including handmade tiles, sculptural lighting, and fossil-rich stone surfaces. Custom-designed furniture pieces, such as the dining table, were created uniquely for this project by Studio Saxe, drawing inspiration from the home’s structural language. The result is an environment that feels at once raw and sophisticated — simple in essence, yet rich in detail. Built-in planters bring greenery into the core of the home, while intelligent lighting, audio, and shading systems are discreetly embedded to support comfort without disrupting the spatial purity.
Self-Sustaining System for Remote Terrain
Given the site’s remoteness, the house was conceived as a self-sustaining system. Rainwater is collected and filtered on-site, and energy needs are met through solar integration and passive design strategies. The floating brise-soleil louvers are crafted from responsibly harvested mosso bamboo — a fast-growing and renewable material that provides both structural resilience and climatic performance. These lightweight elements reduce solar gain, support cross ventilation, and contribute to the building’s sense of levitation. Reforested teak ceilings and durable stone surfaces ensure longevity with minimal maintenance, while operable glass panels enhance passive cooling and reduce the need for artificial climate control.
Lightweight Steel Frame Minimizes Site Disturbance
A robust concrete plinth anchors the house to the land, protecting it against seismic activity and grounding the structure in the terrain. Above it, a lightweight prefabricated steel frame supports the timber-clad pavilions, minimizing site disturbance and enabling precision in execution. The louvers, suspended from this upper framework, required innovative structural coordination to achieve the appearance of weightlessness. This hybrid approach allowed the building process to unfold in stages, preserving the natural features of the site while achieving a refined architectural expression — one that appears to float effortlessly above the jungle floor.
Photography courtesy of Studio Saxe
Visit Studio Saxe
