At the request of Banco San José, we have created an architectural image for its branch offices. Using a recognizable vocabulary, the buildings are very different among themselves, although they belong to one single family. The roofs, the transparency, the walls in mixed materials, and the foliage-inspired structure, are all part of the syntax.

This third branch office is located in a suburban area of the capital city of San José, in an elongated corner lot with moderate sloping terrain. In this neighborhood, buildings have traditionally been surrounded by gardens, so the design of the site was based on this. It follows the architectural expression that identifies the Bank; however, the roof has a novel accent.

Superimposed on the main roof are detached eaves, rotated on their axes, that end in jagged edges intended to emphasize precipitation. The unique shape of this roof avoids the flight of the horizontal elements toward the ends of this elongated narrow building. At the same time, the main roof covers the cascade of smaller roofs corresponding to the ramp that ascends parallel to the sidewalk. The commonplace and inexpensive materials with which these branch offices have been designed, give its walls, partitions, and apertures a special significance. It has been of special interest to propose a space in which the reflections give a new dimension to one’s perception. Lights run through the structures and reflect on the glass, floor and ceiling, creating an interesting optical illusion. During morning hours –time of maximum public affluence– the imposing eave covering the eastern façade gives rise to a pleasant internal brightness with a controlled fresh light.