Casa Tres Pochotes: A Coastal Home in Costa Rica Designed Around Trees, Not Over Them

In Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, FAMM Arquitectura has completed a private residence that takes its cues directly from the site’s natural conditions. Named Casa Tres Pochotes, the 440-square-metre house sits on a two-acre plot and is organised around three existing pochote trees that predated the project and ultimately shaped its form.

A two-story modern house with warm wood paneling and a textured light-grey concrete core, nestled into a lush green forest hillside with a gravel driveway. — Casa Tres Pochotes integrates natural wood finishes and exposed concrete to create a seamless blend between modern architecture and its tropical jungle surroundings.

Rather than imposing a predetermined structure, the design allows the trees to define the orientation, rhythm and character of the house.

A modern wood and concrete house integrated into a lush forest canopy, featuring a cantilevered balcony and a rectangular plunge pool surrounded by dense tropical trees. — Architectural harmony meets nature at Casa Tres Pochotes, where warm wood cladding and a tranquil plunge pool are framed by the massive branches of ancient trees.

Spatial Organisation Driven by Nature

The home is divided into two wings separated by a central white-brick volume, which acts as both a spatial and organisational anchor. The wings extend toward the trees, while terraces and balconies frame them, using the tree canopies to shade outdoor gathering areas.

A modern minimalist house featuring a white thin-brick facade, a warm wooden panel wall, and lush Monstera plants at the base, nestled in a forest setting — FAMM Arquitectura’s “Casa Tres Pochotes” blends industrial textures with natural surroundings through its use of long-format white brick and vertical timber siding.

Public spaces such as the living room and terraces are positioned in the breeziest and most shaded parts of the site, while private bedrooms are oriented to optimise light, ventilation and privacy.

Local Materials and Contemporary Tropical Identity

The exterior is clad in locally sourced pochote wood, chosen for its durability and resistance to moisture, while the central brick volume contrasts with exposed concrete beams, columns and walls, expressing strength and simplicity.

A contemporary living room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking a lush green forest, featuring mid-century modern furniture and warm wooden accents. — This serene living space seamlessly blends indoor comfort with the natural beauty of the surrounding woods through expansive glass windows.

Inside, teak wood continues from the exterior soffits to interior ceilings, complemented by red-pigmented cementitious flooring that adds warmth to the palette of wood, concrete and glass.

A modern open-plan dining and kitchen area featuring white brick walls, a deep red floor, and three colorful contemporary paintings. — The interior of Casa Tres Pochotes showcases a blend of rustic textures and modern art, highlighted by white brickwork and a bold red floor.

Sustainability as a Design Driver

By prioritising local materials, the project reduces transportation-related environmental impact. The design avoids unnecessary surface finishes, keeping materials honest and resource use efficient. Deep roof overhangs and large openings enable cross-ventilation and solar shading, minimising reliance on mechanical systems.

A Forward Look for Architects

Casa Tres Pochotes exemplifies a growing architectural approach in which nature is treated as an active design partner rather than a constraint. For architects working in tropical and sensitive environments, the project offers insight into how existing ecological conditions can become drivers of spatial quality, climate responsiveness and architectural identity.

Construction Begins on Africa’s Largest Airport, Setting a New Global Benchmark

Aranyani Pavilion: Rethinking the Relationship Between Invasive Plants and Architectural Sustainability

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Casa Tres Pochotes by FAMM Arquitectura exemplifies a Contemporary Tropical approach rooted in site-responsive design, where existing pochote trees act as primary generators of form, orientation, and spatial hierarchy. The house’s twin-wing configuration, anchored by a central brick volume and articulated through exposed concrete, timber cladding, and shaded terraces, demonstrates a clear commitment to material expression and climate-driven spatial dynamics. However, while the project’s ecological sensitivity is commendable, it invites reflection on its broader contextual relevance: such expansive, low-density residential models may be difficult to replicate in regions facing land pressure or housing scarcity. The reliance on passive strategies and local materials strengthens functional resilience, yet also positions the house as a bespoke solution rather than a scalable prototype. Ultimately, the project’s architectural ambition lies in reframing nature as an active collaborator, offering a refined dialogue between landscape, structure, and lived experience.