Danielle Saulino

COSTA RICA AN IMMERSION SCHOOL OF CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE

P URA V EDA: COSTA RICAN WAY OF LIFE, MEANING “ PURE OR SIMPLE LIFE”

S ENIOR D ESIGN : D ANIELLE S AULINO A DVISOR : R ICHARD K ING

THESIS & RESEARCH T HIS

THESIS PROPOSES AN IMMERSION SCHOOL .

C OSTA R ICA SOLO

3

D EDICATED

IS SIGNIFICANT FOR MANY REASONS .

YEARS AGO .

T HE

LOCALS WERE GENUINE

MY

&

TO TEACHING STUDENTS ABOUT THE RICH CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE OF

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THERE WAS INCREDIBLE .

FULL OF LIFE .

T HESE

I

HAD A CHANCE TO TRAVEL THERE

IMAGES ARE A REPRESENTATION OF THEIR CULTURE AND HOW THE

LOCALS SEE THEMSELVES

P URA V IDA: P URE C ONSUMING

I NDIVIDUALS L OCALS E VERYONE

AND

S IMPLE L IFE

MAINLY LOCALLY SOURCED FOODS RICH IN

E XPOSURE

V ITAMINS

TO SUN AND WATER , PLENTY OF

AND

A MINO A CIDS

V ITAMIN D

HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND / OR FAITH IN THEIR LIVES .

HAVE VERY STRONG SOCIAL TIES AND COMMUNITY BONDS .

IS ENGAGED IN CONSTANT MODERATE ACTIVITY : WALKING , SPORTS , FARMING , ETC .

D OWNSHIFT B LUE Z ONE, L OCALS L IVE

TO REDUCE STRESS .

TO BE AT LEAST

1) GUELPH, SOPHIA WALTER UNIVERSITY OF. "7 TRADITIONAL COSTA RICAN FOODS YOU'VE BEEN MISSING OUT ON." SPOON UNIVERSITY. FEBRUARY 16, 2016. ACCESSED OCTOBER 11, 2020. HTTPS://SPOONUNIVERSITY.COM/LIFESTYLE/7-TRADITIONAL-COSTA-RICAN-FOODS. 2)GORDON, SARAH. "SOAKING UP THE CULTURE IN COSTA RICA." THE TELEGRAPH. MARCH 02, 2017. ACCESSED OCTOBER 11, 2020. HTTPS://WWW.TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/TRAVEL/COSTA-RICA-ATTRACTIONS/CULTURE/.

3) BYCOSTARICAWOMEN, POSTED. "COSTA RICA AND ITS WOMEN: WHAT TO EXPECT IN COSTA RICA." LOVER OF COSTA RICA WOMEN. JANUARY 10, 2018. ACCESSED OCTOBER 11, 2020. HTTPS://COSTARICAWOMEN.WORDPRESS.COM/2018/01/04/COSTA-RICA-AND-ITS-WOMEN-WHAT-TO-EXPECT-IN-COSTA-RICA/.

4&9) MILLER, BRYAN. "SAVORING COSTA RICA, SIP BY SIP." THE NEW YORK TIMES. JANUARY 28, 2020. ACCESSED OCTOBER 11, 2020. HTTPS://WWW.NYTIMES.COM/2020/01/28/TRAVEL/COSTA-RICA-COFFEE-TOURS.HTML. 5&6) "DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIPS FOR GROUPS: PRAYING PELICAN MISSIONS." DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIPS FOR GROUPS | PRAYING PELICAN MISSIONS. ACCESSED OCTOBER 11, 2020. HTTPS://WWW.PRAYINGPELICANMISSIONS.ORG/MISSION-TRIP-JOURNALS?TRIPID=15581.

7&8) "COSTA RICA." SOUND. ACCESSED OCTOBER 11, 2020. HTTP://WWW.SOUNDCOFFEECOLLECTIVE.COM/PROJECTS.

C OSTA R ICA.

100

YEARS OLD .

SITE ELEV.

SANTA CRUZ

300

ELEV.

NICOYA HOJANCHA NANDAYURE

450

ELEV.

PUERTO CARRILLO

150ELEV

400

SITE

ELEV.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION I focused on the Nicoya Peninsula because this area is defined as a Blue Zone. There is a large variety of land and water activities.

Zooming in closer, there are 5 towns with blue zone classification. I selected Nicoya because it is centrally located to all the towns. It has the largest town in area with least amount of tourism. Looking closer at the terrain of Nicoya. The town is surrounded by mountains. I like to call Rings of protection, mountains, farmland, and city center. My site is the gateway between farm, nature and the man made city of Nicoya.

W in

F AIRGROUND P ARK

S o e ic t

s

o ls

Background

S ITE

t e ic

West

Foreground

Sunset

East

N

TIO VA

PR E S E

R

Sunrise

GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS Costa Rica has a tropical climate. It is close to the equator, 6am sun rise 6pm sunset all year round. Tropical climate so it rains every afternoon, typically 2pm.

C HURCH

.

.

Commercial Residential

. .

C ENTRAL P LAZA C ITY H ALL P UBLIC L IBRARY

. Bus

F AIRGROUND

C OURT H OUSE

S OCCER F IELD

s l

Su m m er

te r

14.5 M S ANTA C RUZ

S OCCER F IELD

.

S OCCER F IELD

A IR

PO

RT

9.0 M

H OJANCHA

SITE DIAGRAM One Artillery road connecting from one town to the next. Bleeding off that is Commercial corridor. The Residential around that. My site is on the SW side because it is the gateway. But also because of its proximity to the fairground, park, and central plaza. Where most community events take place.

CASE STUDIES CHILDREN VILLAGE ALEPH ZERO, ROSENBAUM BOARDING SCHOOL The building systems are broken down into 3 components.

The wood frame structure form continuous lines creating boundaries between the interior & exterior spaces. The vertical wood planks form different quality planes. The experience changes because of the density.

Dense planes form internal and focused spaces. Loose planes form open and airy rooms. Lastly, solids are made up of brick & rammed earth. This grounds the project and introduces privacy.

SOLID-plane-LINE

JUNGLE FLOWER 1+1>2 ARCHITECTS PRIMARY SCHOOL The school is broken down into clusters of programs. Connecting each program building is a linear circulation. This inforces constant interaction from program to program. The programs are also seperated by the natural landscape to reconnect with nature after each class is through. with a continuous roof overtop connecting each building. This linear path has one continuous roof for shelter from the natural elements and to conect the site as a whole.

Linear spoke

THE ATHLETIC CENTER BENJAMIN G. SAXE RETAIL& GYM

The concept of public and private is strong in this project. There are clusters of programs spaced out across the site encouraging exterior circulation.

This is ideal for Tropical climates. This increases the connection with the natural landspace. Programs that are public are located on the first floor open to anyone that enters the building. The private programs are placed on the second floor. These spaces are used by appointment only and connect with nature.

Clusters "RAMMED EARTH SCHOOL IN VIETNAM BLOOMS LIKE A COLORFUL JUNGLE FLOWER." INHABITAT GREEN DESIGN INNOVATION ARCHITECTURE GREEN BUILDING. ACCESSED OCTOBER 14, 2020. HTTPS://INHABITAT.COM/RAMMED-EARTH-SCHOOL-BLOOMS-LIKE-A-COLORFUL-JUNGLE-FLOWER-IN-VIETNAM/.

PINTOS, PAULA. "COSTA RICA ATHLETIC CENTER / STUDIO SAXE." ARCHDAILY. MARCH 04, 2020. ACCESSED OCTOBER 14, 2020.

HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/934878/COSTA-RICA-ATHLETIC-CENTER-STUDIO-SAXE. HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/879960/CHILDREN-VILLAGE-ROSENBAUM-PLUS-ALEPH-ZERO

PROGRAM Looking at my school program. I broke it down into 4 clusters. The classrooms are the largest cluster, where students will spend most days. The community & kitchen cluster, where locals will be introduced to the site. The hostels are just for students for sleeping. Lastly, is the Agriculture cluster. The programs are divided based on privacy & sound. For example, the dance studio is on the first floor so it can be public and loud.

On second floor is yoga studio a quiet and private space. I followed this logic for all my programs.

HOSTEL

CO

MM

UN

IT

Y

CLASSES

Next, I looked at the programs over course of day since it rains every afternoon. The outdoor classes are carried out in the morning when it's still cool out. The formal class activities occur in the afternoon. This schedule is also good for the locals. They can attend a specific class or use the space as they please when it's not occupied.

KITCHEN

AG.

daily activity

SUN

RAIN agriculture

.

R S ARTS

KITCHEN/CAFE

PROGRAM: PUBLIC VS PRIVATE

FORMAL CLASS F

WEEKEND Sports

T EACHE EACHER ER

.

12AM

.

6AM

PROGRAMS ATIVITY OVER COURSE OF DAY

12PM

6pM

11:59PM

am

dANCE

MARKET

L OCAL

S TUD TUDENT

T EACHE EACHER ER

L OCAL

S TUD TUDENT

L OCAL

S TUDENT

pm

.

am

.

pm

WEEKEND

excursions

WEEKDAY EE A

S TUDENT

T EACHE EACHER EER R

DESIGN PROCESS

C IRC. N

C LASS K ITCHEN

Program Clusters

Visual Connection to Mountain Range

R ESIDENTIAL

Linear Circulation

C OMMUNITY V IEW M OUNTAINS

There are 3 key site goals developed. First is a constant visual connection to the landscape. Programs clusters are shifted to expose views out to the landscape. This forms a larger community space or courtyard at the center. The second goal is circulation. There is a continuous exterior Linear circulation around buildings. This enforces those views outward but also forces interaction with each program. The last goals is public vs. private. There is a residential portion on site, this will be tucked away towards the south side of the site. The public spaces are connected to the main road to promote inclusivity with the locals.

SITE grid

SEMI PRIVATE PUBLIC

PRIVATE

PUBLIC / PRIVATE

LINEAR PROGRESSION W/ VIEWS OUT TO LANDSCAPE

DESIGN REVIEW ROOF CONDITIONS

EXTERNAL CONNECTION

DIRECTED INTERNALLY

DIRECTED EXTERNALLY

BETWEEN SPACES L I N ES

PL ANES

There are 2 main building goals I focused on. First is the roof conditions. The roof type defines the program that will habit beneath it. The butterfly roof creates a external connection with sky. The gable roof forms internal engagement. Lastly, the pitched roof directs your view.

The second goal is defining between spaces. This is formed from the shifting programs. In the kitchen and community clusters. This threshold is defined by density using lines. The larger the span the louder and more interactive the space becomes. In classroom clusters, there are moments of visual connection created from planes. This enforces 2 forms of learning, Formal & interactive/visual. Lastly, is the residential cluster. This solid composition grounds the space and forms one focal point. Creating a calming effect before going off to sleep.

SOLIDS

BETWEEN SPACE

CEntral Focus Density Threshold CAFE CLUSTER

Visual Connection CLASSROOM CLUSTER

RESIDENTIAL CLUSTER

DESIGN REVIEW N

0’

8’

16’

32’

SECTION b

SECTION a

0’

SERIAL SECTIONS

8’

SECTION c

32’

16’

0’

8’

16’

32’

FEEDBACK: Moving forward how do the building materials determine the activity that takes place there? What happens to the community space if it rains all the time? Where does the e water drain to? Consider the native materials used in Costa Rica? Use this a as a tool to o bring more cutlure into to the site and building.

N 0’

16’

32’

64’

4

2

4 7

3

5 C

5

A 9

1 1 1 1

1st floor plan

11

10

8 2

B

11

10

6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

DORMS STUDIO WORKSHOP TRADITIONAL CLASS INTERACTIVE CLASS WELCOME CENTER CAFETERIA KITCHEN BARN POTTERY CLASS KITCHEN ED.

1

1

2nd floor plan

TECHNICAL REVIEW Bamboo For Ventilation Brick Made of Locally Sourced Clay

Here is an axon of each building component. At the top is the large sloping tin roofs. Below this are the wood roof rafters that contrast the free standing steel frame structure. The steel frame creates a boundary between internal vs external. This also allows for flexibility in the partitions.

Two Stacked rows of Bricks Spaced 6” apart.

Braced together with Brick Self

Parition 1: The first one is a wood frame structure with bamboo woven through it. This acts as a mesh for the clay to lay and harden overtop.

Clay is a natural material found in Costa rica and has been used since pre columbian times.

The significance in using this material is so locals can contribute to the construction. Strengthening the idea of inclusivity.

rOOF

VIEW OF CLAY BRICK WALL

Roof Rafters

PLAN VIEW OF CLAY BRICK WALL

Bamboo For Ventilation

Column grid

Clay over Woven Bamboo Clay is locally sourced and constructed by Locals Wood Post Frame Drill Bamboo into Posts

2ND LEVEL

Parition 2: The second Partition is made up of clay bricks. It is a free standing structure so a double brick wall is required. At the top is bamboo for able natural ventilation in a community that rarely has AC.

VIEW OF CLAY AND BAMBOO WALL

GROUND LEVEL

SITE AXON

CIRCULATION

ELEVATION VIEW OF CLAY AND BAMBOO WALL

SENIOR DESIGN REVIEW

VIEW OF LOUNGE AND DANCE STUDIO ON A RAIN DAY

A FTER

CLASS YOU PASS BY THE DANCE STUDIO AGAIN TO FIND IT ' S RAINING OUTSIDE .

Y OUR

INITIAL PERCEPTION OF THE SPACE HAS CHANGED AND

YOU PIER OVER TO THE LOUNGE AREA ON YOUR LEFT .

TECHNICAL REVIEW

8AM

12PM

Sustainability elements: The first one is water management. Rain is guaranteed most days, I wanted to take advantage of this and use a rain screen to change the user's experience over the course of the day. In the morning you see an external view but once it rains there is an internal view formed. The remaining water will be collected in 5 cisterns across the site.

There is one water well in Nicoya, so during the dryer months the well can run dry. The cisterns keep the toilets active and the gardens watered.

The second sustainability element is sun shading. Costa Rica is under the equator so in the early morning and evenings there are direct beams of light passing through the building. To mitigate some of the heat I incorporated 3 types of sun shading. Vertical wood planks, casting a unique shadow below and maintaining a view out to the landscape. Horizontal shading above the courtyard, slowing people down as they pass through. Fabric shading to incorporate an element of color and playfulness.

5PM

VERTICAL SUN SHADING

HORIZONTAL SUN SHADING

RAIN SCREEN

FABRIC SUN SHADING

Rain Collection

TOILET

TOILE

T

TOILE

TOILE

External Connection

Rain Directs View outward over the course of the day.

Internal Connection

Rain Collects overhead for reuse. Does not block view inward

T

FA

RM

T

Cistern Locations

5 Above grade cisterns on Site. Cisterns are used for winter droughts and for educational purposes.

TECHNICAL REVIEW

Woven Bamboo Wall with Clay

Wood Roof Rafters

Movable Bamboo Partitions

Bamboo Ventilation

Wood Plank Covered Courtyard

Open Courtyard

SECTION PERSPECTIVE N

0’

4’

8’

16’

This is a section perspective taken from the center courtyard on my site. To the left is the dance studio with the second floor catwalks above. You will notice the roof pitch changes from building to building. For example, the dance studio's roof is directed to the courtyard. Demonstrating its focus and intended relationship to the community. Across my site I have various materials incorporated. First is bamboo and clay walls, wood roof rafters to warm up the spaces. Bamboo ventilation throughout, sun shading above the courtyard, movable partitions, perimeter drainage around the courtyard and lastly this meandering path with lush vegetation in the courtyard.

SENIOR DESIGN REVIEW

12

6

ENTRANCE

8 8

1

7 9

6 4

6

10

2

11 5

CAFETERIA

2

EDUCATION KITCHEN

3

RESIDENTIAL

4

DANCE STUDIO

5

CULTURAL CLASSROOM

6

BATHROOMS

7

WOOD SHOP

8

LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS

9

LOBBY

10

DISPLAY AREA

11

LOUNGE

12

SOCCER FIELD

13

FARM

14

NATURE WALK

DO

RM

S

14

1

13 N

0’

32’

64’

128’

GROUND FLOOR PLAN & SITE SECTION The NW potion of site is the classroom cluster. The NE portion is the kitchen cluster. The center is the community area and to the South is the residential portion. As you enter from the main road to my site there is a direct view into and through the building. You approach the lobby and check in if you're a local. You continue NW passing the formal language classrooms walking around the central courtyard. As you head S there is the woodshop filled with artwork from the students. Next, is the dance studio that opens up to the courtyard and lounge. After, is the display area filled with the students' work. Heading S is the residential area and E is the education kitchen and cafe. It was important to form a strong visual connection from the cafe to the farm because of the direct farm to table relationship they share. On the second floor there are more dorms, an art room, yoga studio and offices. It is important to keep all levels sheltered from the sun and rain to maintain a cooler temp inside. It was important to form long and expansive roofs overhead.

SENIOR DESIGN REVIEW

Y OU VIEW AT FIRST FLOOR ENTRANCE FROM STREET

Y OU

TURN

ENTER THE BUILDING AND SEE THE INSIDE AND THROUGH TO THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE .

STOP AT THE LOBBY TO SIGN AND TO GAZE AT THE COURTYARD BEYOND .

VIEW FROM LOBBY TO COURTYARD

SENIOR DESIGN REVIEW

VIEW OF COURTYARD AT ENTRANCE

W ALKING

TOWARD THE COURTYARD YOU SEE THE LINEAR CIRCULATION AROUND THE LANDSCAPE .

TO THE MOUNTAIN RANGE BEYOND .

L OOKING

TO THE RIGHT IS A PERFECT VIEW

SENIOR DESIGN REVIEW

AS

VIEW OF COURTYARD FACING EAST

YOU TURN THE CORNER YOU LOOK BACK AT THE COURTYARD AND TAKE IN THE COOLER TEMPERATURE FROM THE SHADOW OF THE BUILDINGS .

A S YOU MAKE YOUR WAY TO CLASS YOU PASS BY THE DANCE STUDIO YOU STOP AND WATCH THE PERFORMANCE .

VIEW INTO DANCE STUDIO

SENIOR DESIGN REVIEW

IN VIEW AT SECOND FLOOR TO COURTYARD

THE LATE AFTERNOON YOU NOTICE THE RAIN HAS STOPPED AND GAZE OUT TO YOUR PEERS .

A FTER

A LONG DAY OF CLASSES YOU MAKE YOU WAY FROM THE DINING HALL TO YOUR DORM FOR A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP .

EXTERIOR VIEW FACING CAFE

JUROR FEEDBACK

M Y S ENIOR D ESIGN PRESENTATION .

T HE

PROCESS HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS .

JURY WAS VERY RESPONSIVE .

T HEY

T HERE

WAS CONSTANT POSITIVE FEEDBACK ESPECIALLY DURING MY FINAL

ENCOURAGED ME TO THINK ABOUT MY PROJECT

THE LOCALS AND STUDENTS WOULD ALTER THE SITE OVER THE YEARS TO BEST SUITE THEIR NEEDS .

MATERIALS OVER CENTURIES OF TIME ?

D OES

T HINK

100

YEARS FROM NOW .

H OW

ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE

THE SITE BEGIN TO EXPAND FURTHER TO ACCOMMODATE MORE STUDENTS ?

T HE

JURY ALSO

ENCOURAGED ME TO CREATE RENDERINGS SIMILAR TO THE COLLAGES THROUGHOUT MY PRESENTATION .

T HE

LAST ASPECT THE JURORS WANTED TO SEE EVEN MORE OF WAS THE TRANSITION OF INTENTIONAL VEGETATION VS NATURE IN ITS WILD

STATE .

T HE

COMMUNITY COULD HAVE A HAND IN DEVELOPING THE GARDENS AROUND THE SITE .

T HIS

AGAIN COULD BE AN ELEMENT

THAT CHANGES OVER THE COURSE OF TIME , EVEN A YEAR .

O VERALL, I

AM ECSTATIC ABOUT MY FINAL PROJECT .

T HERE

WERE HIGHS AND LOWERS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR .

HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON A PROJECT THAT MEANS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT TO ME , MAKES IT THAT MUCH MORE REWARDING .

RENDERING OF COURTYARD

B UT