# Casa Tertulia: Stilt House Design in Harmony with Nature Architecture preserving ecological balance on Costa Rica's steep slopes - **Source:** [ArchDaily Global](https://brifing.si/source/b856ce4a-b51b-4705-954b-40620e034caa) - **Published:** 2026-08-04 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c99e11cb-842b-48ac-867e-8467bd64be07 ## Project Location and Key Features Casa Tertulia is located on a steep slope in San Mateo de Alajuela, Costa Rica. This 268-square-meter single-family home accommodates challenging terrain conditions while providing accessibility and comfort for its elderly owners. Architects developed the project preserving the site's dominant landscape views. ## Architectural Strategy and Environmental Impact The project's core strategy relies on minimal ground contact. Using a stilt system instead of traditional foundations reduced earthworks by 70%. This approach maintains ecological continuity beneath the structure while enabling natural surface runoff and flood prevention systems to function effectively. ## Structural Solutions and Material Selection Built primarily with wood materials, the structure adapts to the region's humid climate. The stilt system accommodates the terrain slope while providing single-level circulation indoors. The open-plan design maximizes natural ventilation throughout living spaces. ## Technical Team and Design Process Led by architect Marcela Carranza Vargas with Juan Carlos Sotela and Jorge Cordero, the technical team managed a two-year design and construction process. The project complies with local building codes while incorporating accessibility standards for disabled users. ## Climate Responsive Passive Systems The structure includes passive cooling systems tailored to the tropical climate. Wide eaves provide solar control while strategically placed openings create natural airflow. A rainwater harvesting system supplies irrigation water for landscaping. ## Ergonomic Solutions for Elderly Users The project was specifically designed for elderly residents' needs. Level floor transitions, handrails, and wide doorways enhance mobility. Heating and cooling systems were selected with energy efficiency as a priority. ## Structural Stability and Earthquake Resistance The stilt system was developed considering regional seismic activity, providing structural flexibility. Cross-braced steel supports absorb lateral loads while wood cladding improves thermal comfort. ## Pioneering Example of Sustainable Architecture Casa Tertulia demonstrates how housing can be produced in challenging terrain while maintaining ecological balance. The project sets a benchmark for sustainable housing design in Latin America, with its elderly-friendly solutions drawing particular attention. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.archdaily.com/1182176/casa-tertulia-marcela-carranza-arquitectura — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._