A Place
Located in the heart of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 32 South offers a fresh approach to sustainability in design.
For us, true sustainability means a mindful, intentional understanding of our environment. By examining the climate, topography, and local materials around us, we take our first steps toward creating designs that celebrate the essence of the tropics.
Our design philosophy incorporates bioclimatic strategies to harmonize with natural elements like sun, wind, and nature itself. This approach allows us to create spaces that feel both comfortable and authentically grounded in the tropical landscape.
We recognize that NATURE is generous and will adapt to your path if you allow it.
History
We recognize the value of a story that existed long before us.
Our work draws on the warmth of Guanacaste’s architecture, which can sometimes be lost in contemporary design.
By thoughtfully reinterpreting traditional elements within a modern context, we create spaces that honor the past while embracing the present.
We see wisdom in the way tropical spaces have been crafted through observation and logic—knowledge of where to build, how materials respond to place, and how to harness natural forces like sunlight, wind, and water.
In our designs, we integrate this understanding with today’s technologies, creating spaces that are not only comfortable but deeply in tune with the rhythms of nature. This blend of heritage and innovation allows us to craft spaces that respond thoughtfully to each hour of the day, each season of the year, and each unique aspect of the environment, resulting in an experience that feels timeless yet forward-thinking.
Meet the Founders
At 32South Architecture, we are a firm with international roots, yet firmly grounded in the local context by choice. Our deep commitment to understanding the climatic and social conditions of our region allows us to develop a unique layer of knowledge with each project.
As a growing architectural studio with strong ties to the area, we aim to be recognized as a practice that honors its local context while embracing global perspectives.
Both founders share a common passion for design and architecture, with journeys that led them abroad for their education. Though we followed different paths—studying in the United States and Barcelona—our shared goal has always been to bring back knowledge from diverse environments, which now shapes the way we approach each project.
This territory, where we live and work, is not just our field of study; it is our home.
Elena Alfaro Álvarez
Architect
Elena is of Costa Rican-Peruvian descent and has cultivated a profound appreciation and respect for cultural diversity since birth. Her passion for architecture has led her to explore various cities, each enriching her experience with new layers of learning and adaptability that have proven invaluable in her professional journey.
She studied architecture in Barcelona, a city celebrated for its rich cultural blends that manifest in art and design around every corner. While at Ramon Llull University, she had the opportunity to collaborate with multiple Catalan architectural studios, including Mias Arquitectes, which further solidified her commitment to the field. These experiences not only expanded her architectural vision but also deepened her understanding of diverse design approaches.
Life, however, is more than just a plan, and Elena ultimately chose to complete her studies at Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica, where she had the opportunity to adapt her knowledge to a new context—a context that would become her permanent foundation and home for 32South Architecture, a firm dedicated to creating harmonious spaces that reflect both cultural heritage and environmental sensitivity.
Email me at ealfaro@32southarchitecture.com
Roberto Hurtado Quirce
Architect
Roberto originally Costa Rican with deep roots in Guanacaste, where he spent his childhood—an experience that profoundly shaped his architectural identity. His passion for architecture led him to study in the United States at Kansas University, where he encountered a challenging yet inspiring environment.
During his studies, Roberto completed various internships at architectural firms, gaining a realistic understanding of the profession. This experience propelled him to forge his own path in architecture.
Fortunately, life often has more to offer than initial plans. Roberto chose to complete his studies at Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica, where he applied his knowledge in practice and took the first steps toward establishing his architectural firm, NiHu Arquitectos.
This firm supported him in the early stages of his professional journey, adding diverse layers of learning. However, his deep connection to Guanacaste ultimately drew him back to the region, which would become his permanent home and the home for 32South Architecture.
Email me at rhurtado@32southarchitecture.com