Contract - December 2013 - (Page 66)
CompetItIon: IIdA beSt of LAtIn AmeRICA
hotels: honorable mention
Project Sheraton Costa Rica
Where San José, Costa Rica
Designer Gensler Costa Rica
The Sheraton Hotel of San Jose, Costa Rica, is
located in the district of Escazu. Gensler designed
the renovation of its 50,000-square-foot interior,
preserving architectural elements such as concrete
columns while injecting the space with both the
Sheraton brand and local flavor. Public spaces
within the hotel remain mostly open, and more
intimate zones are defined by screens, such as
the two-story living wall that separates the cafe
from the check-in area. The custom-designed,
hand-painted floor tiles installed throughout are
a reinterpretation of ceramic flooring found within
19th Century Costa Rican homes and churches.
The region's mild climate allows for the
incorporation of passive design strategies.
The lobby and entry are naturally ventilated,
and exposed concrete elements function as
thermal masses to regulate temperatures
within the hotel. -MURRYE BERNARD
residences: honorable mention
Project Casa Raynes
Where Cartagena, Colombia
Designer Coco Raynes Associates, Inc.
Before Coco Raynes Associates stepped in, a
16th-Century Spanish Colonial house in Cartagena,
Colombia had fallen to ruin, sheltering a homeless
population on the upper floor, and greasy spoon
restaurants below. The architect's goal was to
restore the property with a balance of traditional
Spanish Colonial style, and modern simplicity.
While many of the original walls and arches could
be saved, the floors and roof could not. Ceiling
beams of the newly-built terracotta tile roof were
left exposed, and a new electrical, plumbing,
and water system were installed.
The pièce de résistance of the renovation
is the open courtyard with a massive pool, which
expands from the property wall through a set of
arches. The living room, dining room, and kitchen
all flow seamlessly into this space. A roof terrace
contains a second kitchen and a bedroom suite.
Each of the five bedroom suites has a different color
palette, brought out in the colored marble, stucco,
and glass sinks. Other features of the property
include a ballroom, a library, and a grand staircase
built to face the entrance. -CoDY CAlAMAio
66
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december 2013
http://www.contractdesign.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - December 2013
Contents
Contract - December 2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/contract/201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/contract/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/contract/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/contract/iida_red2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/contract/201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201310_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20130708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20130708_neocon_supplement
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_ncw_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20120102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20111112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_2011neoconwinners
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20110102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20101112
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_20100102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/contract_200901
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