The Black House is located along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It has been developed as a new prototype for the modular No Footprint House series (NFH). The climate-responsive design of the NFH variations is based on passive strategies such as site-specific positioning and the use of natural resources for cross ventilation, solar shading and energy production, as well as rainwater harvesting and biological water filtration. Industrial building techniques and prefabricated components are used to create a high level of efficiency that can be delivered to any target location. Since the creation of the multi-award winning first prototype of the NFH, new and alternative construction materials have been developed and integrated to continuously lower the environmental impact of the overall project while stimulating local and circular economies. The Black House was designed as a three-level typology with steel structure and wooden finishes, providing the spaces for its owners to live and work in one compact unit. Operable facade elements open the building interiors towards their natural surroundings, resulting in a symbiotic relationship among nature and the built environment.
Bio A-01 is an interdisciplinary network organization for the development of integrally sustainable solutions. In a globally urbanizing society, we work at the borderline of city and countryside or help identifying new synergies between the urban and rural domain. Our work methodology is designed to break the boundaries of a single professional perspective in order to allow for a holistic approach that shapes our products. We envision a long-term impact that involves economic growth, a high quality spatial surrounding, a responsible use of natural resources and an equal social development.
Other prizes Various awards for different projects worldwide, including a total of 22 international awards for the No Footprint House (NFH).
