Raintree House, Nosara

Raintree House sits in the jungle overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Nosara, Costa Rica. Designed by Studio Saxe, it combines recent construction techniques with a locally inspired language, following the principles of bioclimatic architecture.

The exterior cladding is Kebony Character produced through the dual modification process. The material was selected to provide the appearance and mechanical qualities associated with tropical hardwoods without their environmental impact — a direct issue on a project set within tropical forest.

The Character grade retains visible knots, which bring a texture consistent with the immediate surroundings. The wood weathers gradually to grey under sunlight and moisture, with no finish to reapply.

The project was recognised in the residential architecture category of the BLT Built Design Awards 2023.