A Sustainable Housed Designed To Fit Tropical Needs

Designed by A-01: a-01.net/

No Footprint House
The award-winning No Footprint House by A-01 (A Company / A Foundation) is located at the edge of the vast tropical rain forests along the western coastline of Costa Rica. Placed in a humid tropical climate, the building responds to its surrounding habitat by passive climate control through natural ventilation and solar shading. The NFH is organized around a central service core, which contributes to the efficiency of space, assembly and maintenance. Additional furniture pieces are “plugged” into the double-layered envelope in-between the vertical interior structure and the inclined outer façades. The function of the oblique facade is to decrease the impact of sunlight and precipitation, it protects the elevated floorplan from overheating and splashing water. Façade panels can be opened or closed individually in order to regulate views and exposure, augment or reduce air flows, as well as to increase privacy and security. Different layers of glass sliders and “curtain walls” create further protection for the private rooms of the house. They convert open into closed spaces and play with the indoor-outdoor dynamic of tropical architecture.