FINCA ARIAS
ISABELA, PUERTO RICO
PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
VA is providing site planning and design services for a property of 4.35 acres on a cliff overlooking Jobos and Montones Beach, a famous surfing spot in Isabela. The owners want to build a family retreat that is respectful of the site beauty, off-grid in its infrastructure, a large vegetable garden, and reforestation efforts with native species at the open edges. Toro Arquitectos are designing the buildings while VA oversee the site planning and site design, collaborating in the space-program interface inside-outside and projected uses. The site was previously farmed and recalls the typology of a savanna landscape, with several mature trees scattered on grassland. A very large west Indian almond tree is treasured as the “Avatar tree” that needs to be featured in the design. The ocean view is already framed by large trees and there is a sense of expectation when slowly walking towards the cliff at the northern edge. This strong central axis with a view of the ocean needs to be respected and kept clear from any building in the final site plan, currently being developed.