Mixed use tower in San Jose de Costa Rica, designed by Spanish firm Moho Architects which is currently in schematic design stage and is expected to be completed in 2012.

+ Project description courtesy of Moho Architects

Rising above the skyline of San Jose in Costa Rica, this mixed use tower will be a new landmark, providing crucial amenities for the city, sheltered from the tropical local climate. The concept is driven by a progressive environmental strategy that is expected to establish new benchmarks for the region. Set right in front the Sabana Park, the new “Central Park” of the city, a recreational area in continuous construction development.

This building offers an ideal model of sustainable urban living by reducing reliance on transport and balancing energy consumption between its mixed-use program of day- and night-time activities. Program include mixed commercial and retail spaces together with a business centre, offices, conference rooms, hotel floors and Casino. The tower rises 25th floors above the city, At the top, a viewing platform and restaurant offer spectacular panoramic views over the city.

The tower splits and creases independently as it rises into the sky, creating both a sense of individuality and unity. This “head split” configuration, permits natural lighting, while sky courts filled with vegetation punctuate at intervals the tower and mitigate the hot climate.

The development will take advantage of a number of sustainable energy strategies and key to the energy performance of the building are its wooden brise-soleil facades, designed to filter solar gain and to encourage daylight to permeate the complex. The tower is intended to be a paradigm for passive environmental control, providing an alternative to the more conventional models of sealed and air-conditioned glass stumps. The layered facade cuts air-conditioning load and the plan encourages daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The project is currently in the schematic design phase and is expected to be completed in 2012.

Conceptual diagram, courtesy of Moho Architects

Section 1 & diagram, courtesy of Moho Architects

Section 2, courtesy of Moho Architects

+ Project credits / data

Project: Mixed use tower
Location: Bulevar Las Américas, Sabana Norte, San José, Costa Rica
Architecture: Moho Architects
Built Surface: 28.000 sqm
Preliminary drawings: December 2008
Expected completion: 2012

+ All images and drawings courtesy of Moho Architects

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