- Project: Jungle Frame House
- Architect: Studio Saxe
- Location: Costa Rica, Nosara
- Year: 2023
- Area: 340 m2
- Photography: Andres García Lachner
Jungle Frame House by Studio Saxe in Nosara, Costa Rica, is a bold experiment in tropical modern architecture. Envisioned as a dwelling that dissolves the boundaries between inside and outside, the residence sits within lush jungle terrain, opening itself to light, shadows, and vegetation. By grounding social areas into the forest floor and lifting bedrooms into floating volumes above, the home embodies a philosophy of immersion, transparency, and harmony with nature.
Project Overview
The client sought a dwelling that would bring the outside in, capturing the essence of Costa Rica’s vibrant jungle. The site, sloping toward a creek, inspired Studio Saxe to invert conventional design strategies: instead of elevating the house entirely above the vegetation, the architects anchored the main living areas into the terrain.
The design introduces a triple-height atrium wrapped in glass. This vertical volume draws daylight deep into the house, frames views of surrounding trees, and connects occupants to the jungle canopy and sky. From here, circulation flows to private and social areas, each carefully integrated with the topography and vegetation.
Design Concept & Spatial Strategy
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Grounded social spaces: The living, dining, and communal areas sit close to the jungle floor, blurring the threshold between forest and architecture.
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Floating private zones: Bedrooms rise above the slope, suspended as if hovering within the tree canopy.
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Triple-height glass atrium: Acts as a dramatic central space that channels air, light, and shadow throughout the home.
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Large roof canopy: Provides shade, shelter, and comfort while reinforcing the horizontal geometry of tropical design.
This composition ensures that the home feels both intimate and expansive, rooted yet open, secluded yet immersed in its surroundings.
Construction & Materials
The construction process emphasized lightweight, sustainable, and low-impact methods:
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Prefabricated steel I-beams: Produced off-site and assembled on-site, reducing disruption to the landscape.
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Certified reforested teak wood: Used for panels, doors, and natural finishes, blending modern steel with traditional craftsmanship.
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Louvered façade wall: Filters harsh afternoon light, projecting dappled shadows reminiscent of the forest canopy.
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Glass façades: Allow constant visual dialogue with nature while facilitating natural ventilation.
This fusion of steel precision and artisanal woodwork results in a home that is both ephemeral and enduring, rooted in sustainability yet contemporary in expression.
Sustainability & Climate Adaptation
Jungle Frame House embraces passive design strategies and renewable energy:
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Cross ventilation: Openings oriented to prevailing winds reduce the need for mechanical cooling.
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Solar energy: Photovoltaics and solar hot water minimize environmental impact.
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Natural shading: Louver systems, roof overhangs, and preserved tree cover control heat gain.
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Minimal site impact: Prefabrication and selective placement preserved much of the site’s vegetation.
Instead of retreating into artificial environments, the house cultivates a symbiotic relationship with its ecosystem, providing comfort while celebrating nature’s presence.
Atmosphere & Experience
The spatial experience of Jungle Frame House is defined by contrasts:
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Light and shadow: Dappled patterns shift across walls and floors throughout the day.
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Transparency and privacy: Glass walls create openness, while the forest itself serves as a natural screen.
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Grounding and levitation: Communal areas anchor life to the forest floor, while bedrooms float above, offering contemplative views.
Every gesture reinforces a sense of discovery, contemplation, and connection—transforming daily life into an immersive jungle experience.
Jungle Frame House by Studio Saxe represents the future of tropical architecture: lightweight, sustainable, and deeply integrated with its natural setting. Through prefabrication, renewable energy, and inventive spatial strategies, the residence proves that luxury and ecological sensitivity can coexist. More than just a house, it is a transparent frame for life within the jungle, offering its residents the rare privilege of dwelling in balance with nature.
