What services does Alter Architects provide?

We offer a complete range of architectural and construction services in Costa Rica, including feasibility assessments, concept development, detailed engineering, permitting, and project supervision. Our integrated approach ensures design intent is preserved through every phase of your project.

Does Alter Architects handle both design and construction coordination?

Yes. Our team seamlessly bridges the gap between design and execution by producing comprehensive construction documents and providing on-site oversight to ensure quality and accuracy.

What makes Alter Architects different from other firms?

We combine bold design thinking with deep technical expertise. Every project is rooted in context, guided by purpose, and executed with care delivering spaces that are not only functional, but meaningful.

Can Alter Architects help with site selection and feasibility studies?

Absolutely. Before you commit to a site or design, we offer detailed feasibility studies covering zoning, infrastructure, site challenges, and development potential, helping you make informed decisions.

Do you design landscapes and interiors as well?

Yes. Our team integrates **landscape architecture and interior design in Costa Rica** into the overall vision, creating unified environments that reflect your lifestyle, enhance usability, and increase property value.

1. 
   1. What is your design philosophy, and how is it reflected in your projects? Answer:

I believe architecture is much more than designing structures—it’s about deeply understanding the people and spaces that bring them to life. Every project is a unique case, ensuring that the design responds intelligently and authentically to its surroundings and the client’s preferences. Functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability must work seamlessly together, avoiding fleeting trends and focusing on long-term value.
Good architecture isn’t just about aesthetics or technical solutions it´s more about emotions and psychology. As human beings, we are creatures of nature, and I’m convinced that living in environments that feel as natural as possible and favors socializing is how architects can contribute to their clients’ well-being.

2. How do you ensure a project adapts to Costa Rica’s specific conditions while maintaining a global essence?
Answer:

Costa Rica has a unique environment, and while globalization has given us access to diverse styles and technologies, not everything that works elsewhere is appropriate here. I focus on understanding the climate, local materials, and each project’s specific needs to create spaces that are efficient, sustainable, and respectful of their context. It’s not about copying international models but rather thoughtfully adapting their best elements to our reality.
For example, there’s a trend of hiding roof overhangs behind high walls, exposing facades directly to sunlight and rain. In the tropics, this isn’t a good idea. Roofs should extend beyond walls with visible overhangs to divert rainwater away and provide shade. Sunlight is essential for life, but it can also be damaging.  Buildings, like people, need protection from it. Rain gutters must be external to avoid leaks inside over time. In tropical climates, we should design a roof first—and then build everything else beneath it.

3. How do you balance innovative design with real sustainability instead of just trends?

Answer:

Sustainability is a dangerous word when used superficially. It’s not about adding solar panels or vertical gardens just because they’re trendy, it’s about understanding when they genuinely add value. Costa Rica already sources 80–95% of its electricity from renewables, meaning solar energy isn’t always a necessity.
Similarly, many architectural renderings feature lush greenery sprouting from balconies and rooftops—yet once built, these spaces often rely on artificial plastic plants, which quickly turn into waste. I believe in real sustainability, using local materials, endemic landscaping, material reuse, and Passivhaus principles to ensure lasting environmental benefits rather than superficial “greenwashing.”

4. How do you incorporate neuroarchitecture into your projects, and what impact does it have on the user experience?

Answer:

Spaces directly influence the mind and human behavior. Neuroarchitecture allows me to design environments that enhance productivity, tranquility, and emotional well-being. From strategic natural lighting to thoughtful spatial layouts and material choices, every detail can shape the user experience.
When designing homes, I take the time to get to know my clients personally, how they live, what they value, so the design emerges naturally. Once I understand them, the creativity and design process flow effortlessly.

5. How do you manage the relationship between technology and tradition in architecture?

Answer:

Technology has given us incredible tools to optimize processes and improve materials, but when used indiscriminately, it can strip architecture of its essence. I integrate innovation thoughtfully, blending it with local materials and traditional techniques—not just to add character, but also to influence final construction costs.
During the design process, we always start with deep conceptual thinking and hand sketches—it’s part of the artistic nature of architecture. Once we have a solid concept, we turn to AI and other technologies to explore materials, finishes, even furniture—but the soul of the space still originates from our creative team.

6. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in a project, and how did you solve it?

Answer:
One of the biggest challenges has been designing projects in high-salinity environments, such as coastal areas, where conventional materials deteriorate rapidly. We’ve addressed this by using specialized materials and construction techniques tailored to the climate, optimizing durability and longevity.
Building in the tropics brings its own challenges, but we always collaborate with the best contractors we know. Nowadays, our biggest hurdles aren’t design-related but rather navigating complex permit regulations that involve multiple institutions and bureaucratic hurdles. Regulations are necessary for sustainability and order, but in Costa Rica, the process has become excessively slow. It can be hard for foreign clients to understand this reality, so we stay ahead by anticipating bureaucratic steps—but some regulations remain arbitrary. I’m confident technology will improve this process in time.

7. How do you stay ahead in an ever-evolving architectural landscape?

Answer:

The key is to never stop learning. Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in neuroarchitecture, sustainable design, architecture business management, and marketing for architects, while keeping up to date with materials and construction technologies. I stay informed on global trends, attend conferences, and maintain ongoing discussions with experts from different fields. Architecture isn’t just technical—it’s a reflection of society’s evolution.

8. What impact do you aim to create with ALTER Arquitectura?

Answer:

I want ALTER Arquitectura to be more than just a design studio—I want every project to have a clear purpose and truly transform spaces and people’s lives. Our goal is to design with awareness, making thoughtful choices to create meaningful, lasting impacts for both people and the environment.
We don’t believe in standardized solutions, we believe in projects with identity, quality, and a forward-thinking vision, beyond fashion and short-lived trends.

About Me...

If there’s one thing that defines me—besides my passion for architecture—it’s my way of seeing the world: with curiosity, commitment, and a deep desire to create spaces that truly transform and positively influence people’s lives.
I graduated from ITESM in Mexico in 1995, and from the very start of my career, I understood that architecture isn’t just about designing structures; it’s about deeply understanding the people who will inhabit them. That’s why I approach every project as a unique case—almost like a doctor would with their patients—because I firmly believe there are no universal solutions in design. Every space must respond authentically to its environment and its users.

Over the years, I’ve continued to expand my knowledge and refine my expertise. I studied at Harvard, specializing in Design for Longevity and Health and Hospitality Design, and earned my LEED Green Associate certification. Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s degree in Neuroarchitecture because I’m fascinated by how spaces directly impact people’s minds and overall well-being.

I don’t believe in generic solutions or trends without substance. Globalization and technology can be great allies, but they’ve also led to copying models that don’t make sense in certain places. Sustainability, for me, is essential—but it must be a real solution, not just a trend. A perfect example is solar energy in Costa Rica: more than 80% of the country’s electricity already comes from renewable sources, making solar panel installations, in most cases, more of a fashionable statement than an actual necessity.

Throughout my career, my work has been recognized in various publications and awarded multiple times, including the Metalco award at the IX Costa Rica Architecture Biennial and five Renée Frank awards, which highlight my contributions in tourism architecture, borderless construction, and sustainable projects.

But my life isn’t just about architecture. I’ve also been a restaurant, nightclub, and bar owner and partner, giving me unique insight into the importance of design in the dining and entertainment experience. I collaborate on the development of an innovative product to reduce fossil fuel consumption and optimize engine efficiency and am part of a company dedicated to custom product design using fiberglass, metal, and next-generation concrete.

I’m passionate about sports like paragliding and wave skiing, though I admit I practice them less and less over time. I play the guitar, but only for myself—fully aware that a concert of mine wouldn’t be particularly well-received. I speak Spanish and English, and I’m currently learning Italian.

My perspective on life is simple: we live with much more than we actually need, and that creates unnecessary stress. That’s why, for over ten years, I have practiced yoga, meditated, and focused on gratitude as a tool for personal and spiritual growth. I find inspiration in nature, in its unattainable perfection, and I love exploring history, reading, and archaeology.

Over the years, I’ve volunteered my time and expertise with various institutions, including the National Museum, Elderly Homes, SINAC, and ASADAS, contributing to projects that promote social well-being and coexistence. Individualism isn’t sustainable, and I strongly believe that the future depends on restoring collaboration to achieve goals greater than ourselves, for the benefit of humanity and our environment.

At ALTER Arquitectura, every project reflects this vision: conscious design, real solutions, and a deeply human approach.

By,❤️ Juan Ignacio Acuña Lett, Architect

What We Do

 At ALTER Architecture, designing and redesigning buildings is not just our business—it's our passion. We believe in crafting unique designs through a collaborative process that involves multiple stages and diverse stakeholders. 

Our Process:
 1. Client Consultation:

We begin by interviewing our potential clients to understand their ideas, define objectives, and embrace their unique vision.

 2. Site Visit:

Next, we visit the project site to gather crucial information about the location.

 3. Regulatory Paperwork:

We handle all necessary paperwork with government institutions to clarify regional and local construction guidelines, regulations, and public service availability.

 4. Project Quotation:

With a clear understanding of the project's timeline, we provide a comprehensive quote and a professional honorary offer.

 5. Design Phase:

Our design process begins with analyzing architectural concepts and floorplans. We present initial volumetric ideas to ensure alignment with the client's vision. After this, we develop and review the final design.

 6. Construction Plans:

Once the architectural design is approved, we start creating detailed construction plans and engineering calculations, collaborating with experts in plumbing, electrical, structural engineering, landscape architecture, interior design, and other relevant specialties.

 7. Permitting and Bidding: 

• Permitting Process: We navigate the often complex and bureaucratic permitting process with our extensive experience in obtaining necessary permits.
•  Bidding Process: Simultaneously, we invite construction companies to quote on the project. We assist our clients in choosing the best option based on price, experience, and trustworthiness.

 8. Project Management:

For select projects, we manage the construction process ourselves, utilizing our three dedicated construction teams to ensure quality and precision