No Footprint Wood House (NFWH)

The No Footprint Wood House (NFWH) is located along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Its bioclimatic design integrates with the surrounding lush tropical forest and natural habitat. The NFWH is developed from the inside out, responding to the logic of tropical architecture. All interior designs are processed in response to their adjacent exterior spaces, resulting in a symbiotic relationship of nature and the built environment. Durable and regenerative construction materials are chosen to resist the impact of tropical climate while supporting the functionality of the individual spaces. The project forms part of the multi-award-winning No Footprint House series (NFH), which aims to lower carbon emissions in the construction industry. Climate-responsive building variations are based on passive design strategies such as site-specific positioning, cross ventilation, solar shading and the local production of renewable energy, among others. Industrial building techniques and prefabricated components are combined with locally harvested construction materials. Since the creation of the first NFH prototype in 2018, a broad range of modular residential typologies have been built in response to the diverse micro-climatic conditions of Costa Rica. New and alternative construction materials have been developed to continuously improve the overall project performance. For the prototype of the NFWH, a laminated teak wood system has been engineered in collaboration with the national building industry and international expertise. The resulting kit of parts includes columns and beams, as well as panels and connectors with different finishing options for the building interiors and exteriors. The wood system is integrated within a larger catalog of selected building and furniture components, the first of its kind in Central America. A platform of collective intelligence enables clients to choose from a varied range of sustainable and regenerative construction materials that stimulate local and circular economies. Clients can choose from either fully pre-designed housing options or customize their NFH according to personal budget and needs. The project catalyzes the training of workmanship to engage with the innovative construction materials and techniques, creating social value and employment while making decarbonized housing an affordable reality in Costa Rica. The efficiency of the NFH in all areas, from design to material development, construction and maintenance, makes sustainable homes an affordable reality for a broad customer segment. The unique prototypes serve as a base for the serial reproduction of typologies that vary in size and cost. The project promotes integral sustainability and regenerative development in terms of its ecological, socio-economic and spatial performance.