Tibo - Carazo Arquitectura

TIBO DRAKE BAYTIBO DRAKE BAYTIBO DRAKE BAYTIBO DRAKE BAYTIBO DRAKE BAY

PROJECT
TIBO

YEAR
2023

TYPOLOGY
HOSPITALITY

AREA
M²

STATUS
UNBUILT

LOCATION
DRAKE BAY
PUNTARENAS
COSTA RICA

TIBO IS A DISCREET INTERVENTION WITHIN THE TROPICAL LANDSCAPE OF DRAKE BAY. INSTEAD OF IMPOSING FORM UPON THE SITE, THE ARCHITECTURE FOLLOWS THE NATURAL SLOPE, PRESERVING EXISTING TREES AND MINIMIZING EARTHWORK. EACH VOLUME IS PLACED TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY OF THE FOREST WHILE OPENING TOWARD CALIBRATED VIEWS OF THE PACIFIC. THE RESULT IS A TERRAIN-LED LAYOUT WHERE TOPOGRAPHY DEFINES ORIENTATION, SEPARATION, AND SPATIAL EXPERIENCE.

The project’s formal language is guided by the region’s environmental conditions. Soft curves and roof undulations arise from functional requirements—shading, ventilation, rain management—and from a desire to reduce visual weight within the canopy. These profiles enable the buildings to sit lightly on the land, creating a horizontal presence that blends with the surrounding vegetation.

Tibo accommodates a series of independent bungalows, a restaurant, spa, and wellness spaces connected through a network of trails. Programs are distributed to maximize privacy, enhance passive performance, and maintain clear ecological corridors. Elevated structures, operable façades, and extended eaves support natural ventilation and solar control, reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

FUNCTIONALITY

Material selection prioritizes durability, low embodied energy, and ease of assembly in a remote context. Mass timber and prefabricated components reduce construction impact and allow for precise modulation across varying slopes. Green roofs improve thermal comfort and visually merge the built environment with the existing canopy.

The project’s design intent extends beyond its immediate footprint. By working with the site’s geomorphology and ecological conditions, Tibo positions itself as a model for responsible coastal development. It demonstrates how hospitality architecture in sensitive environments can achieve comfort, longevity, and experiential richness while upholding a rigorous commitment to preservation and environmental performance.