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No Footprint Wood House (NFWH)

Selected in Architectural design

The No Footprint Wood House 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 the use of natural resources. Industrial building techniques and prefabricated components are combined with locally harvested and regenerative construction materials. Since the creation of the first NFH prototype in 2018, a broad range of modular 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. For the prototype of the wooden house, a laminated teak wood system has been engineered in collaboration with the national building industry and international expertise. The process results in a systemic kit of parts that includes columns and beams, as well as panels and connectors. Building typologies vary in size and cost to make sustainable homes an affordable reality for a broad customer segment. Clients to choose from a pre-selected and varied range of materials that stimulate local and circular economies. The NFH promotes integral sustainability and regenerative development in terms of its ecological, socio-economic and spatial performance.

Participant category: Small company (< 10 employees)

Company name: A-01 (A Company / A Foundation)

Country: Costa Rica / Netherlands

Location: Uvita, Province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Client: Private

Team: A-01 (Oliver Schütte, Marije van Lidth de Jeude, Ronald Carvajal, José Pablo Gonzalez and Misael Rodríguez) with Rafael Cañas (Cañas Ingeniería), Pablo Mora (Consost), Francisco Rodríguez (Rothoblaas) and José María Torra (Woodpecker Costa Rica)

Edition: 2026

Project status: Realised

Website: https://www.a-01.net/

Photo credits: A-01 / Fernando Alda
Photo credits: A-01 / Fernando Alda
Photo credits: A-01 / Fernando Alda
Photo credits: A-01 / Fernando Alda
Photo credits: A-01 / Fernando Alda
Photo credits: A-01 / Fernando Alda