As an innovative London designer, it seemed only fitting that Benjamin Garcia Saxe transform his mother’s makeshift Costa Rican home into a spectacular eco-friendly retreat. Made almost entirely out of bamboo, the home fits perfectly into its awesome jungle environment.
Saxe capitalized on the unique look and feel of the bamboo by using it to creating interesting patterns on the walls and ceiling. This also allowed for ample ventilation to make lounging comfortable.
A steel framework means the structure can withstand the elements, and burlap added over the top boosts shade and security. With a primarily open floor plan, two distinct modules were created and connected by a courtyard— one for the living area and one for the kitchen.
While this is a clear upgrade from his mother’s original home constructed from tree trunks and mosquito nets, the intention and thought process was largely the same: create a structure that fully integrates the outdoors with the indoors. It may not work in just any location, but in the Costa Rican jungle, it looks like it has been there all along.
Links: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/son-designs-bamboo-house-for-mom-costa-rica.php