All three architects replied to me favorably. They seemed interested in the project. Each sent some examples of his work. I have to admit that I found all but one or two examples from Icesa to be heavy, airless, and just not that for which I was working. It was also difficult to set up an itnerview time with the architects.

Guillermo was actually my first interview. I felt a great rappport. His input closley paralleled my vision. He offered a lot of good avice, and it was clear that he had a good deal of experience with designing and building. We talked for two hours.

DatumZero has a New York Office, as well as one in San Jose. I viewed that as a major plus. This would give me the oppurtuntiy to meet the architect face to face regulalrly if need be. It also meant that the architects there would be famililar with American building styles and quality. I felt this would be useful in translating my ideas, and also in feeling comfortable about the level of workmanship.

Guillermo is well renown for his Costa Rica building, the Achio House.

I cannot confirm for certain that this is my dream house, but I like its openness, the lightness of the materials, and the upward sweep of the structure. The boxes are a bit too strogn for me as a beach house, but this indicated to me that Garita's abilities are sophisticated. No cinderblocking in this one.

Here is Guillermo in front of his project. He received a lot of press for this piece, including Dwell magazine, where I first saw it years ago.


I liked speaking with Guillermo. He was very honest. Where he thought a timeline was unreasonable, he said so up front. He teaches architecture in NYC, and he had the patience of a teacher. I could tell that he liked the project, but he was not desparate for it. he keeps a small project number, so that he can focus on each. I told of my other interviews. It turns out that Luis Quiros used to work in Garita's office. Guillermo had nothing but positive things to say about his work. He recommended that I speak with him, and if I was not going to go with Guillermo, to consider Luis carefully.

So I did. Luis was my second interview. He was warm, and he was youthful and energetic. He has a great passion for his work. He is well versed and interested in sustainable architecture, green architecture if you will. He spends a lot of time with the land, and thinks hard about the project in terms of ecology, impact, aethetics and serviceability. He was very honest, and straightforward. He is located in San Jose. He knew Nosara, and had freinds there. I viewed his familiarity with the land, and his emphasis on sustainability as major positives. He was great, and he too, like Guillermo, asked that I keep in touch, even if I do not hire either of them, and to feel free to come to them with questions. good business, no doubt, but also very sincere. He also has a father in construction, so as an architect he has a better than usual knowledge of the cost of materials and construction. This is also a huge plus.

I decided to work with Guillermo. He had a good deal of expereince, and his proximity to me in Boston were major pluses. I am trying to bild remotely, and so I need all the hand holdign that I can get. I thought Guillermo and I shared a vision, and it seemed a good fit. I am comfortable with my decision, but I will say this to anyone who is looking for an architect: consider Luis Diego Quiros for your job. I hate that I cannot get his web page to come up, and cannot link to it. I will edit that when I can find a working address. I recommend him to anyone working in CR. Not only that, but I will try to get a hold of him when I get next to CR and maybe we can paddle out together and I can buy him a beer.