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Architecture & Design

  • Posted by Matt Usher
November 19, 2025

You can always tell who’s new to the tropics — Costa Rica. People walk into a home surrounded by jungle,...

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  • Posted by Matt Usher
November 9, 2025

Most tropical homes are designed backwards. We seal them up, crank up the air conditioner and wonder why modl starts...

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  • Posted by Matt Usher
November 1, 2025

We built four luxury villas in the Costa Rican rainforest by hand, through rain, and against reason. Speed and quality...

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  • Posted by Matt Usher
October 22, 2025

Finca Chica grew from a single idea into something very personal. What started as a concept became a coastal modern...

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  • Posted by Matt Usher
October 21, 2025

Hey, I am Matt, architect and cofounder of Studio Octava. After years of designing and building homes across Costa Rica,...

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  • Posted by Matt Usher
September 23, 2024

Building a home in Costa Rica is an incredible adventure, but it comes with challenges, especially when it comes to...

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Building Budget in Costa Rica
  • Posted by Matt Usher
September 10, 2024

When dreaming of your perfect home, it’s easy to envision luxurious finishes, sprawling floor plans, and Instagram-worthy decor. But the...

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Beachways Villas Yolanda-9
  • Posted by Matt Usher
March 24, 2024

When talking about building materials in Costa Rica, one question I often get asked is whether to choose steel or...

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Design discussion2
  • Posted by Matt Usher
May 4, 2022

Hi, I’m Matt—architect and co-founder of Studio Octava. My team and I have designed and built dozens of homes and...

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