Twix House by Studio RED in San Jose, Costa Rica

Project: Twix House
Architects: Studio RED
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Area: 2,690 sq ft
Photography: Ricardo Chaves

Twix House by Studio RED

Designed by the architectural studio RED, the Twix House is an impressive modern living space in San Jose, Costa Rica. With a slightly less than 3000 square foot area, the building consists of two L-shaped volumes, each with its own orientation to the sun: one receives morning sunlight and the other offers sunset views.

Situated on the outskirts of Alajuela, Cojutepeque is a region with a humid climate and an abundance of green landscapes and stunning views. Clients were looking for a home that could integrate public zones, front and back areas into one space. The Twix House is based on two main curved dynamic forms that together form a whole. Two identical L-shaped volumes face opposite directions: the sunrise facade and the sunset facade, creating an S-shaped form for the entire building. Both volumes contain main and additional bedrooms, offering unique views of the Central Valley mountains.

The main entrance leads to a two-level hall, crossed by a bridge in the center and a curved staircase on the left. The main public area has a two-level space featuring an open-plan layout with living room, dining area and kitchen. These areas are connected by sliding doors leading to the terrace—a key element of the house that transforms social zones and ensures direct connection between interior and exterior spaces. Private areas are located on the second floor: two bedrooms and a living room. They are connected by a third volume—an internal bridge that articulates the house and unites all zones on the first and second floors.

Considering the characteristics of the climate zone, special attention was given to ensuring fresh air inside the building. Therefore, various passive design strategies for tropical regions were implemented during the planning process. For example, the bridge roof is overlapped by other parts of the roof, creating a gap that acts as a ventilation channel for hot air to escape. Additionally, the orientation of the building allows cross-ventilation, which provides coolness and freshness inside even during high daytime heat.

–Studio RED