SOLD – Casa Nubes-Tulemar

Casa Las Nubes has been called the most uniquely beautiful home in Manuel Antonio. The sweeping curve design drinks in the lush jungle environment and expansive ocean scene. Perched a short walk above the Tulemar secluded beach and nature preserve, it is surrounded by rainforest and abundant wildlife. As you enter the home you are walking across water streaming toward the exquisite infinity pool central to the main living areas. The jungle canopy yields panoramic ocean and mountain views before you.

Casa Las Nubes’ design is the winner of the 2010 America’s Residential Property Awards for “Best Residential Property” Central America (sponsored by Bloomberg and Kohler). Designed by the award-winning San Jose architect, Andres Morales, the owners, Howard and Leah Cloud, worked with him to create a leading example in energy and water conservation for the future in Costa Rican homebuilding.

This three-level, sustainable tropical modern design luxury home is located in the exclusive Tulemar Gardens Condominio, in Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Nestled into the jungle canopy, the house is visited daily by Howler, White Face, and Squirrel Monkeys, Macaws, Toucans, many other birds, Iguanas, Sloths, many butterflies and other exotic wildlife.

With 4500 sq. ft. of living space, this vacation retreat features four bedrooms, four and a half baths. It has a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, dining rooms, living room, office and terraces with ocean view on all three levels. Wi-Fi and security systems cover the entire house. Water and electrical conservation systems are described in detail below as well as the surrounding gardens.

It is a four-minute walk to the Tulemar Beach (or you may drive or take the on-demand shuttle) or enjoy a hike along the maintained trail system in this gated and secure community. At the Tulemar Beach, there is a restaurant with food and beverage service. Beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, kayaks and boogie boards, provided by attendants, are available for guests. There is also a full-service restaurant and bar in Tulemar that offers “room service” to the villa.

The Gardens:

Casa Las Nubes is surrounded by its unique and professionally-designed gardens that capture the bold essence of the tropical plant world. Guests can easily view, touch and be a part of an exotic garden experience with navigable pathways that create accessibility and flow to other parts of Tulemar or lures them into lush and colorful private niches within the Casa las Nubes perimeters. Pre-Columbian statuary enhances the Central American ambience and provides additional picturesque settings. This garden was thoughtfully-designed for intriguing beauty, wildlife and with the owners and guests of Casa las Nubes in mind.

Sustainability:

The home is served by all municipal utilities, and in addition there are alternative water and energy systems in use at Casa Las Nubes as part of the design.

Water

With 160 inches of annual rainfall, the roof was designed to capture water for use in the house and gardens. The large 10 foot overhangs (a signature trait of Morales) capture about 2,000 gallons per inch of rainfall. Water storage is under the house in four 1,320 gallon food safe containers (total capacity of 5,280 gallons). The water for the house is filtered by two filter systems; a sediment filter, then a charcoal filter. Water then goes through an ultraviolet system for further purification. The end result for guests is the purest drinking water available. The tropical sun heats the water in a panel on the roof which circulates to the insulated 100 gallon hot water backup heater. A Metlund quick demand hot water circulation system can then provide instant hot water in the bathrooms and kitchen.

Electricity

Backing up the municipal electric service [ICE] is a solar power fed battery backup system supports the major electrical systems in the house. In addition 42 solar panels operate as part of a net-metered power purchase agreement with ICE. The benefit is mitigated downtime and very low electric bills.

Casa Las Nubes is an exquisite relaxing vacation home that embodies sustainability principles and provides guests with a luxurious tropical jungle and beach experience that will always be remembered.