Casa Sanabria sits at the edge of the grasslands bordering a protected forest within Hacienda Don Carlos, Nicoya, Guanacaste. The 160m² house is built entirely from solid timber sourced from certified plantations within the same hacienda — eliminating transport distance from the material chain and keeping the construction within the ecological logic of the site.

The building rests on an existing artificial plateau of cracked stone, avoiding new ground disturbance. A lightweight timber structure on mini-piles preserves the subsoil beneath untouched. The single-sloped roof and north orientation work together to minimize heat gain in Guanacaste’s dry climate while maximizing natural cross-ventilation through the interior, reducing dependence on mechanical cooling to a minimum.

The linear plan opens the main facades toward unobstructed views of the Nicoya Valley and Cerro Caballito. Large openings are positioned and sized to frame these views while maintaining sufficient shade to keep the interior comfortable through the hottest months. Timber carries through from structure to partitions to envelope — a material that is at once the construction system, the finish, and the primary spatial experience of the house.