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 project forms part of the multi-award-winning No Footprint House series (NFH). Climate-responsive building variations are based on passive design strategies such as site-specific positioning and an intelligent use of natural resources. Industrial building techniques and prefabricated components are combined with locally harvested and regenerative construction materials. The NFH and its climate-responsive prototypes were developed as a response to an integral roadmap to decarbonization. The project is based on the principles of bioclimatic architecture, such as passive design strategies such as site-specific positioning, cross ventilation, solar shading and the local production of renewable energy, among others. 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. The wood system is integrated to a larger catalog for selected building components, which makes it easy for clients to choose from a varied range of sustainable construction materials that stimulate local and circular economies. The project catalyzes the training of workmanship and students to engage with the innovative construction materials and techniques, creating social value and employment. 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. Clients can choose from a range of pre-designed options, or customize their NFH according to personal budget and needs, making decarbonized housing a broadly affordable reality in Costa Rica. The project promotes integral sustainability and regenerative development in terms of its ecological, socio-economic and spatial performance.