10 Best Architecture and Design Firms in Costa Rica

These annual rankings were last updated on March 9, 2025. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking.

Costa Rica is a tropical land filled with rainforests, exotic beaches and volcanos, as well as many sustainable examples of buildings. Its traditional architecture originates from the country’s pre-Colombian era and Spanish colonial influence. Today, Costa Rica’s capital city, San José, is characterized by its modern, high-rise architecture, paired with small albeit luxurious traditional single-store houses preserved from the late 1800s. At that time, San José was the second most technologically advanced city in America, installing public city lights and electricity to its wider city fabric.

This vision for technological innovation has carried through to contemporary Costa Rican architecture. Minimizing building footprint, especially within the Costa Rican landscapes, is a wider philosophy shared by local architects as well as using locally sourced materials and pioneering sustainable technologies such as rainwater harvesting systems, solar power and natural ventilation techniques.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Costa Rica based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

• The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2025)
• The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2025)
• The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2025)
• The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2025)
• The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2025)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Costa Rica architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 10 best architecture firms in Costa Rica:

10. Jaime Rouillon Arquitectura

© Jaime Rouillon Arquitectura

Jaime Rouillon Arquitectura (JRA) was established in 1994, as an architecture firm specialized in “high-end custom design” with a precise distinction for detailing; each project as each client is different. Jaime Rouillon “gives a complete personalized” treatment in close contact from beginning to conclusion of the project, always assisting the client. Our seal is one where craftsmanship is determinant for that unique result. Materials are chosen carefully as a representation of the client’s need. Both interior and architecture design result in “one on one” as an integral result of both texture and space, an identity of its own. We strongly believe in the mutual trust and respect with the client, for it is then when a great project is realized.

Some of Jaime Rouillon Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

• CasaVal, San José, Costa Rica
• L4 HOUSE, Santa Ana, Costa Rica
• Baticueva, Escazu, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped Jaime Rouillon Arquitectura achieve 10th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

9. Salvaje Studio

© Salvaje Studio

We are an Architecture & Interior Design Studio that believes that every person is unique and has something special. Salvaje Studio operates on the premise that all the spaces designed by our professionals should be distinct and reflect the personality of their users.

This is how Salvaje Estudio was born, a design firm that seeks to move away from conventional and mass-produced designs. That aims to do not the ordinary but instead the extraordinary.

Some of Salvaje Studio’s most prominent projects include:

• BAUMA HOTEL, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
• Bauma Hotel Lofts, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
• Bauma Hotel Villas, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped Salvaje Studio achieve 9th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

8. CRN ARCHITECTURE

© CRN ARCHITECTURE

CRN is an architecture firm based in Costa Rica. Since 2015 our company provides architecture, consulting and construction services for residential, commercial and hospitality projects in Santa Teresa, Nosara, Tamarindo and Guanacaste. As a team, our main goal is to guide and advise our clients during the experience of building and developing residential and commercial projects in Costa Rica.

Some of CRN ARCHITECTURE’s most prominent projects include:

• EL CORAZON, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
• PALO SANTO SANTA TERESA, Costa Rica
• CASA AMARILLO, Costa Rica
• CASA DE AMOR, Punta Arenas, Costa Rica
• Casa del Cabo, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped CRN ARCHITECTURE achieve 8th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

7. Aarcano Arquitectura

© Andrés García Lachner

Founded by Costa Rican architects Esteban Castro and Carla Carranza, AARCANO is an architecture studio driven by a fascination with change, transformation, and the profound connections between time, space, and humanity.

Our work is rooted in research and the pursuit of meaning, understanding that each project is a temporary yet impactful footprint within a larger, ever-evolving narrative. We see architecture as a bridge between past and future, a medium through which we can pause, observe, listen and respond thoughtfully to our surroundings with sensitivity and purpose.

At AARCANO, we embrace the responsibility of regenerating our connection to the essence of being, recognizing the challenges of modern lifestyles that often disconnect us from nature and ourselves.

Some of Aarcano Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

• Anapanasati House, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
• Casa Entre Tecas , Santa Cruz, Costa Rica
• Nosara Workspace, Nosara, Costa Rica
• Casa en Ladera, Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped Aarcano Arquitectura achieve 7th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

6. StudioDelRio

© StudioDelRio

We transform ideas into tangible objects for use and habitability. Always believing that communication is the best tool to execute our projects, our mission is to transform your expectations, needs and budgets into tangible objects to habitability. The vision of the studio focuses on constant updating, applying new technologies and knowledge, to offer innovative solutions of a nature consent to the use, intervention and responsibility of the natural environment.

Some of StudioDelRio’s most prominent projects include:

• IN CALA HOUSE, Alajuela, Costa Rica
• BAUMA HOTEL, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
• Bauma Hotel Lofts, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
• Bauma Hotel Villas, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped StudioDelRio achieve 6th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

5. VOID

© VOID

VOID began its activities in 2012 in Costa Rica. Currently it is constituted by architects Sergio Frugone, Felipe Rossi and Ricardo Sevilla. As an office we have a strong conviction that every project we develop, be it private or public development, should be thought to impact its imediate local context in a greater way. VOID does not pretend to be a traditional studio, rather, a creative studio where we believe in multidisciplinary processes and possess and promote a strong culture of collaboration.

Some of VOID’s most prominent projects include:

• EFC Cabin, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
• Guarumo, Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica
• Tropik Works, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
• NMF Residence, Pinilla, Costa Rica
• Dolce far niente house, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped VOID achieve 5th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

4. Carazo Arquitectura

© Carazo Arquitectura

We are a Costa Rican Architectural firm named “Carazo Arquitectura,” our office is located in San Jose Costa Rica in the heart of the main city and capital. Rodrigo Carazo founded the firm in 2005.

Some of Carazo Arquitectura’s most prominent projects include:

• ULatina Costa Rica
• Adara, Curridabat, San José, Costa Rica
• Casa Murray Music, Heredia, Costa Rica
• Sportiva , Costa Rica
• Natú, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped Carazo Arquitectura achieve 4th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

3. A-01 (A Company / A Foundation)

© A-01 (A Company / A Foundation)

A-01 is an interdisciplinary network organization. In a globally urbanizing society, we work at the borderline of city and countryside or help identifying new synergies between the urban and the rural domain. Our participatory design methodologies are developed to co-create integrally sustainable solutions for urban and rural development.

We intend to break the boundaries of a single professional perspective in order to allow for a holistic approach that shapes our products. We envision a long-term impact that involves economic growth, a high quality spatial surrounding, a responsible use of natural resources and an equal social development. This complex set of factors is simply referred to as the 4E of integral sustainability: Economy, Engineering, Environment and Equity.

Some of A-01 (A Company / A Foundation)’s most prominent projects include:

• No Footprint House (NFH), Ojochal, Costa Rica
• Black House (Casa Negra), Dominicalito, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped A-01 (A Company / A Foundation) achieve 3rd place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

2. Salagnac Arquitectos

© Salagnac Arquitectos

For Salagnac Architects, Contemporary Tropical Architecture promotes the maximum integration of the building and the environment, in order to diminish the impact it causes on nature. In this type of architecture, human comfort can be accomplished by means of efficient energy consumption systems, bioclimatic design strategies and advanced technology. This innovative architecture integrates, in a creative way, the environment, technology and aesthetics.

Some of Salagnac Arquitectos’ most prominent projects include:

• Loma Sagrada House, Nosara, Costa Rica
• Waldorf School Casa de las Estrellas, Nosara, Costa Rica
• Design Studio Salagnac Arquitectos, Nosara, Costa Rica
• Casa Mangos, Nosara, Costa Rica
• Perla Negra House, Puerto Carrillo, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped Salagnac Arquitectos achieve 2nd place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

1. Studio Saxe

© Studio Saxe

Benjamin Garcia Saxe set up his own practice in San Jose, Costa Rica in 2004, with the aim of exploring our relationship with the natural environment through architecture. Since then, Studio Saxe has grown into an award-winning international practice made up of a multidisciplinary team, creating buildings and spaces by blending technological innovation with handcrafted techniques to form truly sustainable designs. Founded on the belief that buildings must connect to their landscape – whether a tropical paradise or a concrete jungle – Studio Saxe brings a global attitude to solve local problems. Ideas and techniques from around the world can be harnessed to benefit communities, both at home and abroad.

Some of Studio Saxe’s most prominent projects include:

• Santiago Hills Villa, Santiago, Costa Rica
• Sirena House, Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica
• Containers of Hope
• A Forest For a Moon Dazzler
• Ocean Eye, Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica
• Featured image: Sinfonía Verde, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

The following statistics helped Studio Saxe achieve 1st place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Costa Rica:

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

• Project completed within the last 3 years
• A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
• Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
• High quality, in focus photographs
• At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
• Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
• Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

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