Communities

COMMUNITIES

We are a small studio with big ideas. When we work, we focus not only on what can be seen but the vision of what is to come. At VIDA, we take on large-scale land projects with an emphasis on strategically planning for future community developments that prioritize regenerative land practices, reforestation, and nature-based developments. We ask ourselves, what is the highest and best use for the land? To deliver something truly unique and amazing, we immerse ourselves with the people, place, context, and history - creating alongside our clients, ensuring their input and spirit are infused into every step of the project.

El Bosque Community

9.9401° N, 85.6559° W
NOSARA, COSTA RICA


SCALE: 12 hectares

VIDA was engaged to masterplan a community inside a forested property that would play a regenerative role in the future growth of the area. Guided by Josie Plaut and the LENSES framework, VIDA implemented a research and analysis plan employing biologists and anthropologists to understand the regenerative opportunities lying in the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. Extensive analysis of the built environment, historical land uses, biological corridors, watersheds, transport, land uses and climate change threats added a deeper layer to VIDA’s masterplanning process that is not always achievable with all clients.

GUANAVISTA

10.0083° N, -85.7132° W
OSTIONAL, COSTA RICA


SCALE: 76 hectares

Guanavista is a 76 acre site located 200m from the beach of Ostional, a unique nesting habitat for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. Protecting the delicate ecosystem and biodiversity of this coastal area, Guanavista priotorizes nature by retaining interconnected areas of existing forest with trails and maximizing ocean and forest views for home sites. As a result, 80% of protected natural area is included in the masterplan. Additionally, we implemented seven miles of trails with interconnected biological corridors which showcase various attractions such as hanging bridges, yoga pavillion, parkour workout sites, and mountain biking routes. These trail systems allow residents to walk from their homes to the beach or other areas within the community, re-enforcing their connection with nature on a daily basis.

Grand BoiS Community 

4.7047° S, 55.4859° E
MAHE, SEYCHELLES


SCALE: 190 hectares

Grand Bois was an ambitious vision for a challenging property on Mahe, Seychelles’ largest and hilliest island. Through extensive time spent on site and a rigorous analysis and masterplanning process, the distribution of this nature-based community retained 94 percent of the existing habitat, with most of the site-adapted architecture and circulation designed to be elevated and the larger common areas limited to previously disturbed areas.

Central Valley Mixed Use Development (marnescas)

9.945308° N 84.099951° W
SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA


SCALE: 15.5 hectares

VIDA was presented with the opportunity to vision and masterplan one of the last remaining forested properties in central San Jose and complement an existing initiative called Las Rutas Naturbanas - which plans to create 25 kilometres of recreational space along two of the main river systems of San Jose, linking communities and activity centres while restoring damaged ecosystems from decades of neglect in the car-oriented urban area of San Jose. The mixed-use development contains a number of public spaces, including a skate park, nature-based children’s play, open space and a community amphitheatre and is a chance to inject energy and enterprise into the surrounding neighbourhoods and contribute to a long-term vision of a happier and healthier community. 

Místico

9.5606 ° N, 84.5597° W
PLAYA HERMOSA, COSTA RICA


SCALE: 76 hectares

After extensive on-site analysis, VIDA concluded that the developer should redirect their efforts and develop an alternative masterplan that responded better to the inherent site conditions of the property and the region. VIDA’s proposal provided a development that was more cost-effective to construct, had greater market appeal and respected, and enhanced, the natural assets of the property.