Photography: Julian Trejos
About Studio
PARAVANT Architects is an innovative international architecture and planning firm. We bring design expertise from around the world to our office in Los Angeles, California. While client satisfaction is forefront of our practice, we strive to approach each project in a thoughtful way, offering a unique solution that fits the client’s needs while maintaining the fiscal parameters of the project.
With a combined experience in the profession, PARAVANT draws from experience in the U.S., Central America, Asia, the Middle East, and throughout Europe to offer our clients an international, multifaceted approach to design. Based on the founding partners’ work experiences and education in Germany, one of the leading nations in sustainable architecture and Passive House construction, PARAVANT is keenly aware of the need for an environmentally conscious approach.
We design our buildings to the international Passive House construction standard and encourage our clients to commission low operational and embedded carbon buildings to make responsible decisions for future generations.
Villa Areopagus planned as a retirement residence for a client from Hollywood, California, the design focused on creating a home that is harmoniously integrated into the landscape of the surrounding Costa Rican mountains. This was largely done by allowing for a strong connection between the indoor and outdoor living to take full advantage of the moderate climate and spectacular views the site offers.
Developed in close response to the rhythms and materials of a subtropical climate, we sought to embrace the fundamental environmental intentions of the program while creating a contemporary place of strong individual character and quiet complexity. The street-facing facade of the home is closed, contrasting the entirely open south facade towards the lap pool with breathtaking views across the valley and surrounding mountains of tropical rain forest.