moho architects: mixed use tower in san jose de costa rica

mixed used tower, san jose costa rica
image courtesy moho architects

rising above the skyline of san jose in costa rica, this mixed use tower by spanish firm
moho architects will be a new landmark, providing crucial amenities for the city, sheltered
from the local climate. the concept is driven by a progressive environmental strategy that
is expected to establish new benchmarks for the region.

the building offers an ideal model of sustainable urban living by reducing reliance on
transport and balancing energy consumption between its mixed-use program of day
and night time activities. program include  mixed commercial and retail spaces together
with a business centre, offices, conference rooms, hotel floors and casino. the tower rises
25 floors consisting of a viewing platform and restaurant providing panoramic views
over the city.

the tower splits and creases independently as it rises into the sky. this ‘head split’ configuration,
permits natural lighting, while sky courts filled with vegetation punctuate at intervals the tower
and mitigate the hot climate.

the development will take advantage of a number of sustainable energy strategies and key
to the energy performance of the building are its wooden brise-soleil facades, designed to
filter solar gain and to encourage daylight to permeate the complex.  the tower is intended to
be a paradigm for passive environmental control, providing an alternative to the more conventional models
of sealed and air-conditioned glass stumps. the layered facade cuts air-conditioning load
and the plan encourages daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

the project is currently in the schematic design phase and is expected to be completed in 2012.

mixed used tower
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower – model
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower – model
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower – concept
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower – sections
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower – sections
image courtesy moho architects

mixed used tower – sections
image courtesy moho architects

general info
location:  bulevar las américas, sabana norte, san josé, costa rica.
architecture: moho architects.
built surface:   28.000  sqm
preliminary drawings: december 2008