Location: Cachí, Cartago, Costa Rica
Year: 2019
Area: 5,150 m2

Cachi Wellness Center is located in Cartago, Costa Rica. The town of Cachí lies near the eastern bank of Lago Cachí, a man-made lake created by damming the river which used to flow past the town. The area is surrounded by coffee plantations and dense tropical forest. It is a popular spot for local and foreign tourists.

The site has over 6 hectares and an irregular geometry. It is accessed through the north side of the property and has a public road on the east. The terrain has a pronounced topography, with the highest point located on the southernmost sector and the lowest in the entry zone. Vegetation varies between dense tropical forest, pastures and bamboo woodlands.

The lower part of the site hosts most of the project’s amenities such as the restaurant, orchards, farm and pond as well as the front desk and storage warehouse. There are three existing buildings in this area which will be refurbished to meet the Wellness Center’s needs. Guest cabins are located in the middle section of the lot and are placed facing towards two volcanoes visible from the site. Typologies vary depending on the structural support system for each cabin, with one built on stilts and the other resting on the ground. Both seek to connect the user with the natural environment. The spa is positioned on the highest part of the property and lies hidden amongst a bamboo forest.

Materials used in the project vary according to the different programs. The cabins use a combination of burnt wood for exteriors and fine wood for interiors. Metal is utilized for structural elements such as stilts and details like stairs and railing. The spa combines natural elements such as stone and wood with the existing vegetation to convey a sense of connection with the natural environment.