Funaris
We believe that our mission in this world is to leave a mark, it is to contribute to make the world a better place. Our motivation is to leave this sense of responsibility as a legacy; it is up to us to improve the quality of life of the people around us.
FUNARIS complements our work as architects; it stands up to the business and social responsibility of Andrés Morales Arquitectos and helps us build a better present through the design and planning of new spaces; we work with the communities and the locals to improve people´s life quality.
Since our main motivation is people, we must understand that life quality entails many factors, and that is why FUNARIS gets involved in the design of dwellings, sport centers, education and social aid centers. The aim is to leverage people development comprehensively and strengthen the relationship between people and their surroundings.
Part of the philosophy we share is that there is no such thing as little aid; we are sure that with each work designed by us, significant impact will be generated in the life of the people related to each project. In the end, our main goal boils down to us giving back to the society part of what we have received from it, through our profession, as well as contributing in the development of opportunities for all people, thus promoting hope and happiness.
History
2017
Palliative Care Center – San Rafael de Alajuela
An essential part of the foundation´s work is carried out to support diverse organizations with the common goal of serving communities and groups with different vulnerability situations.
As part of this joint task, the Palliate Care Center came into existence. This project was developed together with the Palliative Care Association of San Rafael of Alajuela, designated for end-stage patients.
The proposal aims at incorporating natural elements in its design by means of internal gardens providing natural light and that can be used as visually attractive spaces, in the pursuance of the improvement of the life quality of the patients in a complex stage of their lives.
The idea to generate flexible spaces that can be used for both individual and group care, allowing to incorporate the patient´s family in the treatment. By doing this, and adding the natural environment surrounding them, the experience in the Palliative Care Center can be completely different, making this life stage the most pleasant possible.
2014
Ecological Olympic Village – Escazú
Escazú is a community of contrasts: great commercial and residential activities are being developed, which generates great revenue for the country, but there are several vulnerable communities as well. The Olympic Village project came into existence to fulfill the needs of both groups by means of an inclusive intervention, with special focus on the youth. The aim is to attack the roots of the social problems through sports and recreation and the incorporation of facilities for the development of diverse sport activities, even at a professional level.
The proposal also aims at generating the less impact possible on the environment by using solar panels and water reuse systems, in accordance with the principles of environmental responsibility. Besides, urban mobility is a key topic in this project; therefore, it aims at facilitating access through public transportation and alternative means of transportation such as bicycles, among others. The internal passageways have comfortable ramps and areas which enable the circulation of all people equally.
2009
Liceo Villa Nueva - Upala
The new Upala High School project stems from the commitment towards improving the life conditions in the less favored communities and from understanding the significance of the youth for the country´s future.
The community of San José de Upala is located Northwest of the country, close to the border with Nicaragua. This rural community is located at one of the most remote parts from the country´s geographic center. During one visit there, the Villa Nueva High School stood out. It was a run-down wooden structure, inappropriate to function as an education center. Students of diverse levels were welcomed in a communal area without adequate equipment. Therefore, a totally new education center was designed, adapted to the student population and conceived in harmony with the environment. The new infrastructure was designed under tropical architecture concepts with eaves acting as shelter, and air circulation strategies and monitors.
The new Upala High School is a testament to FUNARIS principles of joint service with the community, aiming at improving the life conditions of its inhabitants.
2008
Children´s Soup Kitchen – Dos Cercas, Desamparados
El comedor de Dos Cercas de Desamparados es una iniciativa que surge en el seno de la comunidad, como un esfuerzo conjunto entre diferentes actores comunales y The initiative of Dos Cercas Kitchen Soup in Desamparados was born within the community, as a joint effort between the different community actors and the private companies to satisfy the food needs of the child population in social vulnerability conditions.
An important part of the FUNARIS philosophy is to work on designs which planning contemplates people´s needs resulting in quality constructions and interventions, thus providing the community inhabitants decent spaces and promoting their development as well as providing a better life quality. This philosophy is fully represented in the development of this Kitchen Soup.
2000
FUNARIS House – Costa Rica
The Funaris House came into existence after a process of exploration in search of an affordable dwelling model satisfying the basic needs of vulnerable populations.
The idea generating the project is the concept of decent housing closely linked to the context in which it is located. The result is a basic unit which adjusts to the climatic and topographic conditions prevailing in Costa Rica. This design is characterized by the use of passive air circulation strategies, by means of ample eaves providing sun and rain shelter, typical weather conditions of the tropical areas, as well as air circulation in the front of the unit and high-rise ceilings aiming at improving the air circulation flows.
The Funaris House model has been conceived to be highly customized by means of the nature of the material used for the finishes and the possibility of expansion so that it can be adapted to the specific circumstances of each family living there, thus contributing to the generation of a sense of belonging and community.
1997
Pavones Public School – Quepos
When the initiative of founding FUNARIS was undertaken as a complement for the Andrés Morales Arquitectos Company, Quepos was chosen as a starting point since a very significant construction development was taking place in that area. The design of a school different from the education structural model at the time, responding to the place´s and inhabitant´s needs was proposed in the Pavones community.
Since the beginning, this project has aimed at developing in harmony with the lush nature of the place, respecting its surroundings and even using it to generate agreeable environments to develop the activities related to an education center. Pile foundation construction, permeable enclosures and roofs incorporating natural isolation aim at adapting to the specific climate and environment in the area.
The purpose of the flat roofs and the open hallways is to unify the inside with the outside, incorporating nature to the student´s daily life and, through this relationship, to generate protection awareness and respect towards the environment.
The ultimate goal of this proposal was to contemplate a different scenario, an alternative to the typical design for this kind of institutions and, through this, call on the authorities for an understanding that each project must answer for the environment and it users, always taking into account the improvement in life quality.
