Cumbre Mar Project

ARCHITECTURE MULTIPLE RESIDENCE

CUMBRE MAR www.aarcano.com

Content 3

Introduction

4

A. Design brief and site considerations

8

B. Location

12

C. Architecture and use of space

18

D. Appearance & Finish

22

E. Sustainability, Energy conservation, Environmental use of renewable energy, Innovation

24

F. Safety & Security

26

G. Supporting material

Introduction Cumbre Mar is a condominium development of thirteen units designed to get the maximum density with the lowest impact on the land and the context. The design began when there wasn’t any other building in the sorrounding plots, only nature and views.

PROJECT TEAM: Location: Punta Leona, Puntarenas, Costa Rica Footprint Area: 2.340sqm Land Area: 1.850sqm Covered Area: 710sqm Architectural Design: Aarcano Arquitectura S.A. Design team: Esteban Castro Carla Carranza Technical drawings:Fabián Mora 3D modeling: Esteban Castro Interior Design: Aarcano Arquitectura S.A. Landscape Design: Hilda Torre Electrical Engineering: Circuito S.A. Mechanical Engineering: Circuito S.A. Structural Design: Enrrique Moreno Construction Company: Grupo Carranza S.A. Photographs: Andrés García Lachner | Esteban Castro | Juan Carlos Sanabria Materials: Concrete, wood, glass.

© Esteban Castro

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A Design brief and site considerations In a hillside opposite to the sea and facing sunset, there had to be organized the maximun number of condo units that had to have similar conditions in views, accessibility and built area. An important part of the design brief was to determine the size of the units and the market segment these condos were going to reach.

Base on the land area and local regulations, market studies and site qualities we had to determined if the solution was going to be one big building block ore single separate units. We ended with an ‘in between’ solution: the creation of clusters with two or three units to merge them into small scale modules that will reduce the impact on the land and on the neighborhood.

The modules are separated between each other to improve the ventilation and simultaneously to allow the visual access towards the sea. These separations generate semi private access to common areas, social zones and to each unit.

PLOT AREA:

MAX. COVERED AREA: 1850sqm

MAX. DENSITY:

750sqm

MAX. BUILT AREA: 2400sqm

39 rooms = 78 people

MAX. HEIGHT FROM ROAD:

7 meters

Market considerations

4|5 © Andrés García

Diagrams to study zoning and use of land . The idea of separation in mudules also allows a better accessibility and parking distribution with few infrastructure needed. As we were able to located the maximum density permited, we needed to guarantee two parking spaces to each condo unit. The result is 13 units organized in five modules.

710sqm of covered area = 39%

Each one of the thirteen units is organized in three modules: 2 modules of 4x8mts and one of 4x12mts. The first two accommodate the bedrooms and the biggest module locates the social area. Due to the topography, the units are in different height related to the street access.

Š Esteban Castro

The proposal for the project is conceptualized by understanding the pattern of rocks from the zone: fragmented configuration, porosity, hierarchy in the organization. This configuration allows different types of organisms to proliferate and live, protects them and gives shelter.

In this way, the units are defined as regular volumes that are cut by random elements that generate spaces of scattering, quietness and socialization.

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B Location

Located in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, the site is part of a new development of the condominium “Altos de Leonamar�. The plot has a spectacular view to the Pacific Ocean and to the sunset, and is sorrounded by a natural context of enourmous trees that are home of a variety of birds, including lapas and tucanos.

SITE LAYOUT

LOCAL AND VERNACULAR BUILDING STYLES Architecture in the pacific area of the country is mainly an attemp to create protection from the hot climate and to create social interaction based on living outside the buildings.

Balconies and corridors are more important than courtyards. The necessity of shadow and cross ventilation gives character, as well the sloped roofs with large roof extensions to protect fron heavy rains happening during the year. The oppenings are controlled in order not to allow the heat to enter the saces.

The materials are allways local, with a preference in wood and concrete.

Puntarenas local and traditional architecture

© Andrés García

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C Architecture and use of space Each module contains two or three units. The diagram below shows the organization of a module of three units. Each one of the thirteen units is organized in three geometric areas: 2 areas of 4x8mts and one of 4x12mts. The first two accommodate the bedrooms and the biggest module locates the social area. Due to the topography, the units are in different height related to the street access.

1st FLOR (back garden level)

2nd FLOR

3rd FLOR (street level)

4th FLOR 12 | 13

© Andrés García

© Esteban Castro

© Andrés García

COMMON AREAS DESIGN

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© Andrés García

© Esteban Castro

© Andrés García

© Esteban Castro

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D Appearance & Finish A very simple pallet of material was implement in the design. Concrete blocks and concrete structure are the base for the structural integrity, glass and wood are used as surfaces that link the inside with the outside.

The surrounding vegetation is also a material for the architecture. Soon the walls, gardens and common spaces will be covered by different type of local plants.

Š AndrÊs García

© Andrés García

© Aarcano Arquitectura

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© Esteban Castro

© Andrés García

© Aarcano Arquitectura

© Juan Carlos Sanabria

© Esteban Castro

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E Sustainability, Energy conservation, Environmental use of renewable energy, Innovation The project is design to collect rain water and use it for the swimming pool and gardening areas.

Waste water is treated to avoid water contamination and all toilets and bath appliances are low consumption to secure the use of fresh water.

The project has implemented many passive design strategies, such as cross ventilation, roof hot air ventilation chambers, sun protection for all main openings to avoid over heat.

The construction was based on minimal terraces to avoid big movements of the soil and small scale concrete walls to contain the terrain.

Š Juan Carlos Sanabria

© Esteban Castro

© Andrés García

Build locally: Concrete is produced in Costa Rica. The idea is not to import the majority of the construction materials. The wood used is as well from the area.

Local people was hired to build the project, no high tech was needed neither big scale machinery.

The project was designed to adapt to the topography: For reasons of functionality and integration, it was opted to organize the main entrance and the garage based on the street where car transit was possible. Its fragmentation, necessary due to the steep topography, transforms the whole into a composition of small linked and interconnected volumes, creating an unevenness that allows for a more rational and optimized use of the lot.

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F Safety & Security

Each unit has a direct contact with the exterior thanks to the separation between modules and the topographic adaptation. Open spaces for reunion are located in key areas of the complex.

An anti-seismic structural design was implemented due to the high risk of earthquakes in the area, and also because the proximity of the cliff. Concrete colums and beams with the sufficient capacity are the main structure of each four story building.

The fire prevention is based on cabinets and is been supplied by the main condominium development, and access to all areas is guaranteed.

© Juan Carlos Sanabria

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G Supporting material Total distribution of the complex

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 6

Level 5

Level 7

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© Andrés García

© Andrés García

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Aarcano Arquitectura S.A. San José, Costa Rica www.aarcano.com info@aarcano.com +506 2234 1914 +506 8342 6493 Todo el material presentado fue producido por Aarcano Arquitectura ®