Project Credits & Specs
- Interior Design: Formafatal
- Architectural Concept: Refuel works
- Photography: BoysPlayNice
- Location: Bahia Ballena, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
- Area: 618 m2
- Year: 2019
More
- Lead Designer: Dagmar Štěpánová [Formafatal]; Jan Skoupý, Zbyněk Ryška [Refuel works]
- Landscape Architect – greenery and garden elements: atelier Flera
- Realization of Screed Surfaces: Different Design
- Jungle Watercolor Painting: Můj Originál
Project Description
Architect’s note – Formafatal
Art Villas Costa Rica
Not far from the Costa Rican town of Uvita, there is a hidden small resort Art Villas on the jungle hill above the beach Playa Hermosa.
3 unique villas and one multifunctional pavilion are scattered over a plot of 2 ha.
When the investor approached the architects, he wished to create a place where the visitors merge with the surrounding nature, clearing their minds, and experiencing luxury and adventure at the same time. He wanted to create a place that digs deep into everyone’s heart when they taste it.
The architects from the Formafatal studio followed the client’s assignment and were also inspired by the atmosphere and colorfulness of Central and South America.
Art Villa
Out of all the villas in the Art Villas complex, this majestic concrete villa was the first to be designed, as well as finished. The bright minds behind the architectural concept of the building belong to the Refuel Works studio.
The investor approached the Formafatal studio concerning interior design solutions while the planning and preparations were still in progress.
The two-story villa holds a prominent spot on the premises of 25 000m2, with a floor area of 570 m2. Apart from the generous common area (foyer, main living room, kitchen with a dining room, and the roofed terrace by the pool), the villa is equipped with a total of 5 bedrooms with private bathrooms. In the basement, there is a playroom for the children, a gym, a dance hall, a walk-in closet, a laundry room, and utility rooms.
When designing the interiors, we found inspiration not only in the surrounding wild jungle but also in the work of the Brazilian architect Paulo Mendez da Rocha.
The concrete walls are deliberately left raw, complementing the interior components, selected materials, water, and greenery – all together creating an unusual environment, both rough and luxurious.
The bedrooms and bathrooms feature cement ornamental tiled floors, custom-made over the border in Nicaragua. The ever-changing patterns and colors are a reflection of the elusive and unique nature of every moment in time. Every step leads to a change.
The hand-painted watercolor jungle motif on the kitchen backsplash is another interior highlight. Serving as a mirror reflecting life behind the wall, the wall becomes a window allowing us to see nature outside.
Art Villa, as well as Atelier Villa, is for the most part furnished with furniture designed and custom-made by local craftsmen or manufactured in the Czech Republic and then brought to the site.
The custom pieces go well together with several armchairs of a shared origin – they were all designed by South American designers and architects.
Teak wood, metal, and linen – these materials dominate the villa interiors, and together with custom-made furniture pieces in secondary pastel and bright colors, truly bring the raw concrete monolithic interior to life with a touch of softness.
Landscape architect’s note – atelier Flera
Greenery and garden elements
A while ago, we were approached to design the greenery around several exceptional buildings built by Czech investors in beautiful Costa Rica.
The overall vegetation concept was quite specific due to the lot being on a very steep slope. We tried to maximize the space, and engage and open up the garden, so we designed various steps and small terraces. Elsewhere, we weaved in a long and colorful slide entertaining both the kids and adults.
In the plant selection, we preferred the local non-invasive greenery, selecting especially the edible plants from the local area.
The greenery is what bonds and connects the buildings in one complex. The whole hill where this garden is situated is called Achiote, a Spanish name for Bixa Orellana. So, we played a lot with Achiote around the garden. There was also the Costa Rican national tree Enterolobium cystocarp and we planted a few more around. Of course, you can also find banana plants, coconut palm trees, mango trees, papaya, or less-known plants such as Annona muricata or guava.
Owner’s note
The Villas
In the lush jungle of Costa Rica is a space that transcends the ordinary. Where day and night merge in a heavenly expanse of verdant flora, pristine beaches, and exquisite style. Here you’ll discover three distinct villas each with their own bold and unique architecture and style.
Art Villas is inspired by the laws of the jungle. Our villas strike a rare balance between encounters with nature and protected luxury accommodations. Here creativity springs to life as you mingle with the jungle’s breath, relax in comfortable, charming spaces, and surrender to your purest self.
Behold the vast, monolithic structure. Cool, concrete walls stand naked and confident inside the heart of the jungle. Expansive glass walls, jungle wood, and brave dimensions ignite, absorb, and reflect the raw elements of nature. Hand-painted walls capture the dynamic nature of water and mirror the surrounding tropical forest.
Glide across floors artfully designed with handmade Nicaraguan tiles. Softness, truth, and intention unite beneath your feet, evoking a sensation of antiquated times. Ornamental designs reminiscent of the past unite with the simplicity of modern design.
CoCo houses are inspired by seed cones, where nature contains its precious promise for the future.
Collaborations
We are working closely with an international community of like-minded artists and high-profile businesses to organize, host, and curate retreats. These events will provide small groups of people and couples with an unforgettable mind, body, and soul experience.
Our journeys to various retreats all over the world have inspired us to create unique experiences where our guests can expand, evolve, and, reconnect with their pure selves. We invite inspirational teachers to our ambient space to lead us to transcendence through various media: yoga, pole dance, art, lecture, and more. Creators of all types will gather here with us to explore and expand the limits of their conscious experience (see our Retreat To Transcendence page to learn about an extra special local event). We also host weddings and offer off-site retreats.
Materials
Teak / custom-made furniture designed by Formafatal
Brasilian nut-tree/IPE / custom-made furniture designed by Formafatal, terraces
Steel / custom-made furniture designed by Formafatal
Concrete / walls, floors, ceiling
Cement screed / walls, custom-made furniture designed by Formafatal
Cement tiles – Granada Tiles Nicaragua
Ceramic tiles / kitchen wall with watercolor painting designed by Formafatal
Linen / curtains, upholstered furniture designed by Formafatal
The project description is provided by the architects, via Linka.
About the Designers
Formafatal
Studio Formafatal, based in Prague, Czech Republic & Costa Rica, was founded by architect Dagmar Stepanova, and the team is now Dagmar, Jan, Martina, Katarina, Iveta, Dana, Anna, and Debora. The 8-member team is currently working on several commercial and residential projects not only in the Czech Republic but across the world. Formafatal Studio has already won several domestic and international awards for its projects. They’re a team of friends – architects, designers, and scenographers, focused on architecture, interior design, exhibition installation, and product design. Focused on creating public spaces, where people feel at home, and homes, that are tailored to the clients’ needs. All projects they approach individually and with a focus on specific human needs. Individual approach for each project is based on mutual understanding with the client, enthusiasm, natural collaboration, and unified conceptual solutions. They solve projects complexly from creative concept to realization, with attention to detail.
Refuel works
Refuel works, is an architecture firm established by the architects, Jan Skoupý, Zbyněk Ryška, and Kamila Petráková. The studio is located in Prague, and Brno, Czech Republic. Refuel is an architectural office based on the pursuit of simplicity, authenticity, and rationality. A group of architects, engineers, and planners, united by the pursuit of simplicity. Their work is based on a few principles they proudly stand for; It’s the fuel that keeps them working: – Dream big, – Question the status quo, – Be curious, – Learn how to take punches, – Champion reason, Get rid of redundant.
