The Plaza Central Building is the gateway entry building to Las Catalinas, the new car-free town being developed in Guanacaste Province, on the Northwest coast of Costa Rica. Photo Credit: Google Aerials.

Aerial Photo showing position of The Plaza Central Building in relation to the first phase build-out of Las Catalinas, the Beach Town. Photo Credit: Google Aerial View.

Plaza Central Building is shaped by the complexity of its surrounding context, reflecting and enhancing each diverse character, and considering how to utilize axes to stimulate the pleasure of passing by. Maps by Las Catalinas Holding Co., Notes added to maps by Robert Orr & Associates, LLC

Shaped by its context, the Plaza Central Building introduces social objectives to development by utilizing familiarity to ignite serendipitous friendships amongst strangers. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

The character of the East Elevation is a “hug” to welcome all visitors arriving at the town, dropping apprehensions and initiating collective experiences already unfolding. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

East Elevation by night. Carefully considered lighting first floor piazza only to extend welcome of shared space after hours, while letting light within leak through the permeable facade, inviting visitors to emerse in town life just on the other side. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

The Plaza Central Building etenuates to terminate the vista from Plaza Lucia. Stretching to connect across space influences travel paths with familiar destinations. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

Entering Calle La Rhonda, skinny shopping street from the South. Curve of street and growing complexity of The Plaza Central Building adds mystery and invitation to the shopping experience, always better in tight quarters. Photo by Sean Davis.

The Plaza Central Building West Elevation’s shear plunge to Calle La Rhonda, the skinny shopping street. The purposeful contrast adds to mystery and appeal of the walking route. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

The Plaza Central Building shapes and addresses the Plaza Escondita, even though in 2nd ring behind smaller residential building. The roof urns and French balconies reach across space. Their appeal influences walking choices. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

Detail Southwest corner of The Plaza Central Building showing French Balconies and attention to detail. Appeal of hand craftsmanship of so many trades rewards revisits for paths well chosen. Starry night sky. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

View from inside Calle La Rhonda skinny shopping street looking South. Plaza Central Building on left. Narrows to features part of existing residential building to terminate the vista and energize frequency for walking this route. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

Calle La Rhonda skinny street Plaza Central Building shop at night. Romantic arched entries and carefully placed lighting inside and out invites people to frequent the safer, cheerful, and alluring street after dark. Photo by Pablo Cambronero.

Serendipitous friendship form spontaneaously out of frequency of passing the same people in their daily habits on the skinny street. Frequency leads to familiarity, and eventually to “broken ice.” Photographer unknown.

“Free Range Kids.” The car-free town and place-making of familiarity makes the Plaza Central Building vicinity safe harbor for unsupervised children. Kids strike up serendipitous relationships easier than adults. The Social ROI is palpable. Photographer unknown.

A thousand acres placed in permanent forest reserve by the developer features 25 miles of trails for hiking and biking ­— great exercise but secretly another opportunity for serendipitous bonding, extending out beyond the entry gateway of The Plaza Central Building. Always a welcome home. Photographer unknown.

All Facades Are Different as they Engage With Their Immediate Context. The Result Flips Figure Ground, in Which Space Between Buildings Becomes Figures, Buildings Become Background. Photo by Sean Davis.