Erica Wilson Fellowship Report
Passive Architecture in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Mexico
Summary
For my Pat Cooke Fellowship research, I focused on studying passive architecture in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Mexico. Passivhauses represent a meaningful step forward in addressing the global energy crisis. They contribute directly to several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including reducing energy poverty, fostering economic growth and job creation, and promoting health and well-being. Having previously studied the benefits of passive architecture mainly in cooler climates, I was especially eager to explore its impact in warmer regions.
I began my journey in San Jose, Costa Rica to explore the architectural innovations and sustainable design of Studio Saxe's Gardenia, a passive residential tower crafted with environmental harmony at its core. Founder and Director, Architect Benjamin Saxe, provided a personalized tour of the property, including his own penthouse apartment. The building was stunning from top to bottom, featuring everything from upcycled furniture in the common areas to the sprawling green wall on its western face (the largest in Central America) and a parking garage illuminated by naturally filtered light. Every element seemed thoughtfully designed to create a cohesive, tranquil atmosphere.
Although just 15 minutes from the rainforest, Gardenia is located in the heart of San Jose, encouraging residents to commute by foot or e-bike. Its design incorporates cross-ventilation and expansive terraces for natural temperature control, along with rainwater irrigation for lush terrace vegetation. Walking through the space felt like being in a tropical urban oasis.
My most powerful takeaway from this visit was Benjamin’s advice for our students. He took a significant risk in designing Gardenia, needing not only the city’s approval but also the trust of prospective buyers. With owners placing funds in escrow to finance the project, he was able to bring Gardenia to life—and every one of its 14 units sold out within a month, with a waitlist of 300 more eager buyers. Remarkably, Benjamin was able to construct Gardenia at the same cost per square foot as a conventional building, and now the demand for similar, sustainable designs is growing. His message for our students was clear: have the courage to dream big and challenge the status quo—systems can and should evolve.
From there, I traveled to San Vicente, El Salvador, to learn more about New Story’s innovative, community-driven initiatives. New Story’s mission is to empower vulnerable families to become homeowners on land they own, providing security against eviction and laying the foundation for generational wealth. They work closely with families to develop savings plans that align with their incomes, gradually building a credit profile. On average, families are able to purchase land within two years, and with their new homes just a 25-minute walk from the city center, they can easily access essential services and opportunities.
San Vicente’s design embraces human-centered principles that foster social connection. One of the unique features is the integration of passive windows, which serve not only as social hubs but also as potential storefronts, adding a vibrant layer to community life. The neighborhood includes spaces for sports, crafts, and gardening, reinforcing a sense of ownership and responsibility while promoting a healthy lifestyle. These shared spaces are central to the design philosophy, encouraging residents to engage actively with their community and build lasting ties.
Finally, I traveled through several regions of Mexico, a country grappling not only with climate change but also with a growing population and rapid urbanization. Most housing in Mexico was constructed without consideration for energy efficiency. In areas where temperatures can soar to 125°F, this lack of insulation and ventilation goes beyond discomfort—conditions can be intolerable and even hazardous.
The network of architects dedicated to passive housing in Mexico appears close-knit, as they frequently referred me to one another throughout my research. I had the opportunity to meet Marisa Egea, who collaborated with Alejandro Herrera on the first certified residential Passive House in Latin America. Located in Mexico City, this project was especially groundbreaking, not only for its design but also because, despite both architects’ backgrounds in sustainable architecture, neither had formal training in passive design. They pioneered this approach as they retrofitted Alejandro’s steel frame, plywood, and glass apartment, learning and adapting with each step.
One of the most impactful architects I met in Mexico was Salvador Rodriguez. Salvador led a pioneering pilot project in Mexicali aimed at applying EnerPHit Passive House principles to significantly reduce cooling demands in the hot, dry climate. The project involved retrofitting 30 social housing units in phases, each with varying levels of investment. These levels offered multiple entry points for families with different budgets. As expected, energy demand consistently decreased with each passive component added, demonstrating clear improvements over the baseline.
What stood out most, however, were the unexpected health benefits reported by residents. One resident shared that, for the first time in years, they were able to stop taking daily allergy medication, attributing the change to the improved air quality in their home. Another noted significantly better sleep, which allowed her to be more productive during the day, contributing more effectively to her family’s business.
Salvador generously shared a wealth of resources that I can pass along to my students, including journal publications, conference presentations, and video testimonials from residents. He provided extensive data, from U-values and energy consumption metrics to economic feasibility analyses. Salvador is also incredibly responsive. He’s already answered several questions my students had as I began teaching the unit with this new material. Looking ahead, I’d love to deepen this collaboration and potentially arrange for my students to speak directly with Salvador or even with a family living in one of the retrofitted homes.
Gardenia, a passive residential tower in San Jose, Costa Rica. We were given a tour by the architect himself, Banjamin Saze.
Upcycled furniture in the common areas of Gardenia
A terrace lush with a variety of self-irrigated plants, used for cross-ventilation
Social housing development in San Vincente, El Salvador
Lit by lightning.. it was pouring rain!
Architect Salvador Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico
Children in the San Vincente community, where the neighborhood features central spaces for sports and crafts.
Testimonials from families living in the social housing units in Mexicali. These families represent all three levels of the pilot project.
Questions
How have your knowledge, skills, and capabilities grown?
Through this fellowship, I gained invaluable firsthand insights into the benefits of passive architecture in warmer climates, learning how it addresses unique challenges like extreme heat and rapid urbanization. Observing retrofitting projects has deepened my understanding of how to effectievely incorporate passive features into existing structures. Conversations with architects from diverse cultural backgrounds have enhanced my awareness of local constraints, equipping me to brainstorm solutions that are attuned to specific social, economic, and environmental contexts. For instance, witnessing the human-centered design in projects like New Story’s developments in San Vicente underscored architecture’s social impact, enriching my approach to design with a focus on community benefits such as health, interaction, and accessibility. Finally, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for innovative risk-taking—an attitude I’m excited to pass on to my students.
As a result, in what ways will your instructional practice change? How will your experience positively impact student learning in new ways?
In my 12th-grade Engineering Physics class, I teach a unit on passive architecture that integrates the principles of Thermodynamics. Previously, I approached this unit with a European focus, reflecting the roots of passive architecture in cooler climates. Now, I’m excited to expand the curriculum to include examples from warmer regions, as passive architecture is just as vital in those climates. This shift will likely resonate with my students, many of whom have Central American backgrounds and can relate more directly to these settings.
By incorporating testimonial videos and real-world data from projects in Mexico, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, I aim to enrich the unit with practical insights. Students will have the opportunity to analyze meaningful data on energy consumption, indoor air quality, and temperature regulation, linking theoretical knowledge to real-world applications. This hands-on approach not only strengthens their understanding of passive architecture but also inspires them to consider sustainable design solutions for the environments they know best.
What is the greatest personal accomplishment of your fellowship?
My greatest personal accomplishment during the fellowship was stepping out of my comfort zone and engaging with professionals I hadn’t previously met. As an educator, it’s easy to rely on familiar sources and networks, but through this fellowship, I was encouraged to reach out to architects and designers across Central America, from Mexico to Costa Rica. These conversations, often held in unfamiliar cultural and professional settings, were both challenging and rewarding. I had the chance to ask thoughtful questions, exchange ideas, and learn from their experiences, deepening my understanding of passive architecture in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I truly "tried it on," just as we encourage our students to do, and along the way, I enjoyed many enriching conversations over delicious cups of coffee.
What are your plans to work collaboratively with colleagues?
I plan to work collaboratively with my science colleagues around analyzing data, with a focus on using real-world data to deepen students’ learning experiences. As a team, we can align ourselves on key data analysis methods and help students interpret complex data sets in a way that connects their understanding of the core sciences with real-world applications.
Collaboration ensures that students are exposed to a variety of data analysis methods and perspectives, helping them approach problems from different angles. It also promotes critical thinking as students learn to interpret data within specific scientific contexts, whether it’s analyzing thermodynamics in passive architecture or understanding the environmental impact of various design choices.
Are there issues or challenges in your school, community or the world that you feel better prepared to address with your students?
I feel better equipped to guide my students in understanding the urgent need for sustainable design solutions and empowering them to think critically about the changes they can contribute to in their own communities. Whether within the classroom or on a global scale, these are issues that will directly impact my students' future, and I am inspired to help them develop the skills and mindset necessary to address these challenges. Many of my students are already questioning why passive architecture isn't more widely known or adopted as a solution to the energy crisis. Learning about specific examples where architects have pioneered these solutions, along with new developments like the Massachusetts Building Energy code, which now allows municipalities to mandate Passive House standards for new residential buildings over 12,000 square feet, has only strengthened their drive to explore these topics further and be part of the change.
How would you describe to a friend the most fundamental ways in which your fellowship has changed your personal and/or professional perspective?
This fellowship has expanded my worldview, allowing me to see how passive architecture can be a universal solution to global energy challenges, not just in cooler climates but also in warmer regions like those I studied in Central America. I now recognize the importance of sustainable design across different environmental and cultural contexts, which has made me more attuned to the unique challenges faced by communities in these regions.Professionally, the fellowship has equipped me with the knowledge to better integrate real-world data into my curriculum, which makes the subject matter more engaging and relevant for my students. In addition, it has inspired me to encourage my students to think critically about the future, empowering them to explore innovative solutions to pressing issues like energy efficiency and sustainability. As Benjamin Saxe said, they should “dream big.”