Minimalist Fixer Upper in a Gated Community

This is one of two listings that we have by the talented architectural and construction duo known as StudioLocal, and they were both labor of loves for their own family. This one, in a quiet gated community near Tres Rios, was built about 23 years ago by the owners raise their children in. It sits in stark contrast to the neighbors and is a unique expression that values outside space as much as a dynamic inside space.

Towards the street it is quite closed off. The garage is only big enough for one car, as it also houses the laundry and some storage. On its side, an extra wide pivoting gate creates closure, along with a tall wall. Inside, one enters along a concrete path into wood decks, and gardens. On the left, a small grove of palms along the front wall gives a green view to the kitchen window, as well as storage for bikes, misc gear, and garbage cans. Then onwards to the homes entry, which is part of a large custom hardwood, steel, and glass sliding door system, that brings tons of light into the great room into which one enters, and connects inside to outside.

The feeling of the main space is wonderful, as it is double height, and encloses the kitchen and dining area at one end and the living room on the other, with enough space for a pool table too. At the very end of the house is a two-story light-filled office space with a stair to the upstairs bedrooms. Between the office and living room is a large box, stained black, that houses the master closet and the homes one bathroom.

Up the narrow and steeper stairs, one goes to a large loft sitting on top of the box, with a master bedroom facing the view of the mountains. Behind it is an additional space that is currently set up for the kids to play and do their homework but was originally also envisioned as a place to stack a second bathroom. From here, a bridge spans across to an independent kid’s room on top of the kitchen, but with a glass wall to keep an eye on things. This room also has a large bench seat corner window, as well as a little loft bedroom.

Back out in the garden, there is a large deck and ample room for the dog and the kids to play, or for others, perhaps to grow their own food. The exterior skin of the house is a patinaed steel, and the detailing is modern and minimal. All the rainwater from the roof comes down a free-fall waterfall element in front of stacking windows and drains into a rock garden. Thus, storms become a celebrated element for the occupants staying safe inside.

As much as we love this house, we admit that it has a low price due to 2 facts. One is that it needs some remodeling: Some of the exterior glass in the office is broken, the wood deck needs replacement, some of the plaster on the entry path needs patching, the kitchen cabinets don’t flow as freely as they used to. Additionally, the weather has changed a bit, and the upstairs can become very hot, and thus skylights or another method of natural ventilation needs to be introduced.

The other reason is that the family grown up, and they dream of moving to Guanacaste to be closer to projects that they are currently involved with. The house has been on the market for a while, and its price was recently reduced. In our guess, it is likely just too contemporary and different for most Costa Ricans to feel comfortable within, as well as that for most locals, more interior area (with more curtains and tv's closing off the natural world) for the same price is better than more garden and style. Personally, I think it’s a bargain, and its flaws are easily fixable. That work could even be handled by the current owner.

It is very close to lots of shops and restaurants, and  one of the best super market chains, called Auto Mercado is very close. There are many good schools in the area, and it's in a safe area on the East side of downtown San Jose.

This house could be a perfect “pied-à-terre” for a couple wanting to spend time in the central valley to enjoy cultural events, international restaurants, art galleries, shopping, theaters, movies, or concerts.  And being located in the Central Valley means all of the differing ecological regions of the country are equally close for exploration...