Tiny House V is a charming retreat in Costa Rica inspired by vernacular architecture

Surrounded by dairies, warehouses and cattle pens, this small residence in Costa Rica is a charming home for a retiree who enjoys cooking. Inspired by local vernacular architecture, architecture studio Arkosis designed House V as a simple dwelling unrestricted by formal architectural constraints.

The architects made a conscious effort to assume an informal attitude when designing the house, yet remain in sync with the traditional architecture of La Vega area in Costa Rica. The house aims to capture the naiveté of vernacular structures with a simple double faceted roof and gates of overlapping slats that control natural light. Instead of using extensive glass, the team opted for creating an atmosphere dominated by half-light.

Thanks to the presence of canvases placed over the deck, the house remains cool in the summer. The surfaces accentuate the colors of morning and evening light, while providing views of the moon at night. This is also facilitated by the V-shaped polycarbonate ceiling.