A remarkable residential project has emerged in the tropical landscape of Uvita, Costa Rica, where architecture and nature converge in perfect harmony. Studio House, designed by Formafatal, represents a masterful example of how modern design can seamlessly integrate with its natural surroundings while maintaining both openness and privacy.
Completed in 2022, this 125-square-meter residence was designed by architect Dagmar Štěpánová as both her permanent home and a seasonal retreat for her longtime friend and partner Karel Vančura. The house serves as a compelling testament to the philosophy of stepping beyond ordinary boundaries and allowing a home to be permeated by the rare experience of coexisting with nature.
The project's most striking feature is its response to the challenging sloped terrain that falls in two directions. Rather than fighting against the natural contours, the architects embraced the site's authenticity with an equally authentic design approach. The form of the house follows the complexity of the land, carefully adapting to its contours and avoiding tree roots so that the surrounding vegetation becomes an integral part of the architectural composition.
Sensitively nestled among mature trees, Studio House achieves a remarkable balance between visual and spatial openness while being wrapped in a green mantle that protects its intimacy and fragility. The house is visually and spatially open, yet the surrounding jungle provides natural privacy screens that enhance the sense of seclusion without compromising the connection to the landscape.
One of the most dramatic design decisions was the complete absence of an entire façade in the main living space. This bold architectural move allows the living scene to flow through the house and merge back into the surrounding jungle with every shifting moment of the day. The presence of jungle sounds, air movement, and changing light awakens all the senses, effectively dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.
Located on the same site as Achioté short-term rental villas, also designed by Dagmar and co-owned with Karel, Studio House is perched on a south-facing slope above the Pacific Ocean. This positioning creates an ideal setting that accommodates both adventurous vacation experiences and comfortable everyday living. The house presents as a minimalist volume near the access road, featuring rammed earth walls punctuated by large openings for sliding glass panels.
The two-level villa's design maximizes outdoor living, with more than half of its footprint consisting of terraces and a pool area. The main living area on the upper level opens fully to the ocean and partially functions as a covered terrace. Outdoor spaces extend along both sides of the interior, creating a continuous flow between indoor and outdoor environments.
A distinctive levitating platform leads to the main entrance, accessible via concrete slabs, and also serves as a roof over the bathroom below. The circulation through the house is carefully choreographed, with visitors passing through the living area and kitchen to arrive at a terrace with a built-in grill that sits directly at ground level. From this point, a long COR-TEN steel staircase descends to the pool, while another staircase leads to the rooftop terrace.
The 10-meter-long infinity pool follows the site's natural topography, its dynamic form creating visual echoes that extend up to the rooftop terrace. Among the treetops, the rooftop terrace offers an unobstructed view of the sky, making it an ideal location for observing sunsets over the ocean or stargazing at night. This elevated vantage point reinforces the connection between the house and the broader natural environment.
The upper-level living area is conceived as a single open space, anchored by a four-meter concrete kitchen island that serves as both functional workspace and sculptural element. A wall of cabinetry features laser-cut steel doors that transform into a luminous art piece at night, casting patterns reminiscent of a starlit sky. This lighting concept extends throughout the house, with bedroom doors on the ground floor glowing like moonlight, creating an interplay between real and artificial celestial elements.
The ground floor layout follows the terrain's natural contour, set back from the upper level's outline. At the rear, a spacious laundry room and utility space occupy the windowless section, while a sunlit hallway, bathed in golden-red light during sunset, provides access to two smaller bedrooms, a bathroom alcove, and a toilet. Despite their compact size, the bedrooms accessible from the pool enjoy expansive ocean views that extend beyond the limits of imagination.
The home's material palette resonates deeply with the surrounding greenery, embracing a wabi-sabi philosophy that welcomes the aging and transformation of materials over time as a path toward natural elegance. This approach ensures that the house will continue to evolve and integrate more completely with its environment as it ages.
Interior authenticity is enhanced by carefully selected artworks, including pieces by academic painter Josef Achrer Jr., artist Lukáš Musil, and textile abstractions by Studio Geometr. Handmade furniture designed by the architect is thoughtfully complemented by iconic pieces and lighting fixtures from around the world, creating a sophisticated yet approachable living environment.
Studio House stands as a powerful example of how contemporary architecture can honor and enhance its natural setting while providing comfortable, functional living spaces. The project demonstrates that true architectural success lies not in dominating the landscape, but in creating a harmonious dialogue between the built and natural environments.
