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Above Hermosa Beach, near the Costa Rican town of Uvita, lies a 2.5-hectare resort called Art Villas nestled in a hillside bordering a tropical forest. Coco, part of the resort, represents a unique example of playful, sustainable, and modern tropical architecture.
Each "treehouse" nestled on the hillside of the Art Villas resort offers stunning views of the lush green valley. Coco Art Villas aims to create a place where guests can immerse themselves in the surrounding nature, relax their minds, and experience a sense of adventure while still enjoying luxurious surroundings – a place that deeply touches the hearts of all.
In particular, Coco Art Villas are constructed from local tropical wood, supplemented with tent tarpaulins and other metal materials, giving the feeling of staying right in the Costa Rican jungle.
Architect Martin Kloda said, “The same creative principles have been used by nature for millions of years. Nature inspires us to create an environment that we love and feel safe in. We follow the principles of natural architecture, developed by our friend and mentor, architect Martin Rajniš.”
The architects created a subtle connection between the individual buildings using expansive wooden and metal staircases mounted on steel columns. Stops along the staircase allow guests to admire the countryside views, or even jump on the trampoline.
The staircases have a minimalist form, and the architects intentionally designed them with clean lines characteristic of the other buildings in the resort. Only the main steps on the two upper levels are based on the form of the Coco house itself. These steps are located very close to the forest and also offer views of the Pacific Ocean. Inside the "tree house," the minimalist interior creates a playful atmosphere. You won't find anything unnecessary there, but at the same time, nothing is missing. The centerpiece of each Coco bedroom is a bed positioned on a raised platform.
The layout of each cabin is designed to take advantage of the most spectacular views, where monkeys and birds can be seen from the bed in each room. Mosquito nets are used to complement the style of the house and are an essential item in the bedroom. The back of the bed is made of welded wire mesh.
Each bedroom is designed with a different color scheme, reflected in the color palette of the dressing rooms. The artistic design of the headboards is no accident. “When I thought of a motif that would suit Coco, it evoked images of treetop excursions, very popular in Costa Rica,” the architect said.
The largest Coco unit features a shared kitchen and dining area. A wall of red cabinets with “mamón chinos (tropical fruit)” color houses two refrigerators, two freezers, and a food storage cabinet. The kitchen area caters to meal preparation and provides ample storage space for all dishes. The vertically oriented dining table offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Transparent white shutters protect the interior from rain and wind while allowing daylight to penetrate. Light and shadow are filtered through a large mosquito net, protecting guests from wildlife. When the architectural team first arrived in Costa Rica, they were apprehensive about the forests and wild beaches. They later realized that these were symbiotic relationships within the lush, verdant rainforest.
Forests are our home, but they are not ours alone. They present challenging conditions for our survival and demand that we respect the laws of nature.
There are plenty of culinary and relaxation activities, from professional cuisine, massage, sauna, and yoga to professional spas and gyms. A trampoline and large playroom provide children with space to move around, play, and bond. Art workshops, retreats for body, mind, and soul, and opportunities to connect with like-minded people are also available. Here you can enjoy the pleasures of life in a joyful and immersive way.
