This project is the very first “rammed earth” implementation in Costa Rica. Formafatal Studio completely used clay soil from the excavations for the construction of all perimeter bearing walls.   Near Uvita town,on a plot of 11,000 square meters at a height of 300 m above the sea, Formafatal Studio designed two small villas on a hill overgrown with a jungle. Both villas, partly levitating above the steep southern slope, are designed for short-term recreational rentals. The built-up area of each of them is 90 m2.

Formafatal Studio intention was to design sustainable houses with biophilic interiors, which will be sophisticatedly thought-up and at the same time their shaping will be strongly minimalist and simple.The architecture of villas is deliberate with its thin and sharp lines in contrast to lush tropical vegetation,but the chosen materials and colors are perfectly coinciding with the surroundings.

Both villas are architecturally the same. Materials, floor plan layout, or orientation towards cardinal points are also identical. However, it differs in the interior, especially by its color concept, which is partly reflected also in the exteriors. The architectural design is based on the genius loci - on the orientation of the building plot toward the endless view of the Pacific Ocean and the morphology of the terrain. The color concept of interiors responds to the energies that were perceived in the location of the villas before their construction.

Although the villas are only 12 m apart, each of them has clearly different vibrations that Formafatal Studio reflected in the interior design. Jaspis Villa (jaspis = jasper, bright villa) is a reflection of yin energy. It is connected to the ocean and sky, not only visually, but also with its vibrations. With a color concept in sand shades, respond to this interconnection. Nefrit Villa (nefrit = jade, dark villa) is a reflection of yang energy. In the Nefrit villa, you can feel the connection between the ground and the jungle. 

Here, too, the chosen color concept is a reaction to these energies and the red-terracotta color of the concrete floor transmits the shade of local soil to the interior of the house. On the sides, they are lined with newly planted tropical plants. But as soon as you pass through the villa, further towards the levitating terraces, after a few steps, the view of the ocean is opening, and you will find yourself in the generous space of the main bedroom with adjacent terraces and infinity plunge pool.