- Date: February 25, 2026
Contractor Red Flags in Costa Rica Every US Client Should Know
If you are an American, or simply a foreigner planning to build a home in Costa Rica, choosing...
Blog
Thoughts About Building in the Tropics.
- Date: December 14, 2025
The Art of Schematic Design: How We Shape Every Project Around You
At Studio Octava, we create healthy homes that feel as good as they look. Our schematic design process...
- Date: November 19, 2025
Healthy Home Series – 2. Air Conditioning Is the New Cigarette
You can always tell who’s new to the tropics — Costa Rica. People walk into a home surrounded...
- Date: November 9, 2025
Building a Home in Costa Rica: 5 Design Principles for a Healthy Tropical House
Most tropical homes are designed backwards. We seal them up, crank up the air conditioner and wonder why...
- Date: November 1, 2025
Five Hard Lessons from Building a Boutique Jungle Retreat in 4.5 Months
We built four luxury villas in the Costa Rican rainforest by hand, through rain, and against reason. Speed...
- Date: October 22, 2025
Inside Finca Chica: Studio Octava’s Modern Coastal Retreat in Nosara | Part 1
Finca Chica grew from a single idea into something very personal. What started as a concept became a...
- Date: October 21, 2025
Splurge vs Save: Smart Construction Choices for Building a Home in Costa Rica
Hey, I am Matt, architect and cofounder of Studio Octava. After years of designing and building homes across...
- Date: February 3, 2025
How Much Is The Cost of Building a House in Costa Rica? (2025 Full Guide & Real Cost Breakdown)
Hey, I’m Matt—an architect and co-founder of Studio Octava. My team and I have helped countless clients turn...
