Monteverde Institute: Sustainable Design, Planning and Community Development

This collection contains proposed designs and planning documents to assist in Sustainable Community Development, based on issues identified as important by the community. Many of the projects in this collection come from the Sustainable Futures Summer academic program at the Monteverde Institute.

This digital collection is a service of the Monteverde Institute, whose mission is to catalyze social, ecological and economic sustainability by integrating community initiatives with education, research and conservation.

Esta colección contiene diseños propuestos y documentos de planificación para ayudar en el Desarrollo Comunitario Sostenible, basados en temas identificados como importantes por la comunidad. Muchos de los proyectos de esta colección provienen del programa académico de verano Futuros Sostenibles del Instituto Monteverde.

Esta colección digital es un servicio del Instituto Monteverde, cuya misión es catalizar la sostenibilidad social, ecológica y económica integrando iniciativas comunitarias con educación, investigación y conservación.

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Centro de educación creativa, August 2014

Dorsa Afsharjavan, Garrett Herbst, Thomas Mason, Eric Sasso, Storm Armstrong, Caitlin Keyes, and Harlee-Rae Tanner

The task of the CEC is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the water system at the site and water system master plan. Focus on water systems, water consumption and water management in Costa Rica
Making a community-based initiative more community-based, April 2014

Melina Baron-Deutsch

Monteverde residents generally work in tourism-based professions, yet do not have the opportunities or funds to experience the excitement behind these tourist exhibits. Sergio's Eco Paz Park attempts to alleviate this problem by working towards providing the community with a community space for themselves. I discuss what constitues sustainable development and the park's current status. I note the current lack of community involvement in the park's development. Through volunteering at the park in constructive ways and recruiting various community members to participate in it I attempted to help the park be more community based.
Manantial de vida [Tratamiento de agua en Monteverde][PowerPoint], 2012

Grant Black, Brittany Cohen, Thomas Degraff, Jennifer Dow, Mira Lee, Nicole Nguyen, and Maya Shermer

This Spanish language presentation focuses on the process of designing a proposed water treatment facility for the town of Santa Elena, in the Monteverde Zone of Costa Rica. It includes general background information and details on the site selection and design process. Maps, charts and graphs, photos, and architectural drawings are included in the presentation.
Manantial de vida [Water treatment in Monteverde][PowerPoint], 2012

Grant Black, Brittany Cohen, Thomas Degraff, Jennifer Dow, Mira Lee, Nicole Nguyen, and Maya Shermer

This English language presentation focuses on the process of designing a proposed water treatment facility for the town of Santa Elena, in the Monteverde Zone of Costa Rica. It includes general background information and details on the site selection and design process. Maps, charts and graphs, photos, and architectural drawings are included in the presentation.
Monteverdeportes [PowerPoint], 2012

Jon Eng, Matthew Geiger, Ryu Kim, Alex Neubauer, Ariel Resnick, Christa Trautman, and Alex Wise

This English language presentation focuses on the planning and design process of a proposed multi-use sports facility in the Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica. Principles of sustainable design, with focuses on ecological design, community engagement, and wellness promotion, were incorporated into the project. Maps, site maps, architectural drawings, photos, and charts and graphs, are included in the presentation.
Monteverdeportes [PowerPoint], 2012

Jon Eng, Matthew Geiger, Ryu Kim, Alex Neubauer, Ariel Resnick, Christa Trautman, and Alex Wise

This Spanish language presentation focuses on the planning and design process of a proposed multi-use sports facility in the Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica. Principles of sustainable design, with focuses on ecological design, community engagement, and wellness promotion, were incorporated into the project. Maps, site maps, architectural drawings, photos, and charts and graphs, are included in the presentation.
Feria de mariposa ʺcelebrating the past while moving forward: Designing a new home for your farmer's marketʺ, 2011

Angelica Aquino, Kevin Chen, April Gosser, Pablo Lituma, Lucy Wang, and Mark Storie

This report focuses on the design process and goals of a proposed new farmer's market in the Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica. The proposed new farmer's market incorporates elements of sustainable design to create a multi-use facility. Photos and architectural drawings are included.
Feria de Sabado [PowerPoint], 2011

Angelica Aquino, Kevin Chen, April Gosser, Pablo Lituma, Lucy Wang, and Mark Storie

This Spanish language presentation provides background and summarizes the design process of a proposed new farmer's market in the Monteverde Zone, Costa Rica. Focusing on sustainable design principles, the presentation includes architectural drawings, photos, and site maps.
Centro de Educación Creativa [PowerPoint], 2010

Brandon Gordon, Saba Hamidi, John McCarthy, Colin McCarville, Luis Ramirez, Alana Sanders, and Charles Schmidt

This report focuses on the process of determining the best and most efficient ways of improving the Centro de Educacion campus and facilities. The document provides the CEC with sustainable design recommendations related to additional facilities, land use, water management, and sustainable practices that can be implemented in the future. Photos, site plans, architectural drawings, drawings, and maps are included in the report.
Clinica Monteverde, 2010

Brandon Gordon, Colin McCarville, and Alana Sanders

This report focuses on redesign of the Monteverde public health clinic,and includes an overview of the existing site, proposals for redesign of some existing facilities, concepts for a few new facilities, a conceptual site plan, and proposed steps toward implementation. The report includes maps, photos, architectural drawings, and spatial diagrams.
El centro comercial: conectando oportunidades comerciales con necesidades comunales [PowerPoint], 2010

Todd Campbell, Madeline Carroll, Adrian Desilva, Candaco Dorsey, Saba Hamidi, John McCarthy, Adam Noga, Ruemel Panglao, and Luis Ramirez

This Spanish language presentation focuses on the creation of plans for Centro Comercial Monteverde, including the economic benefits of incorporating strategies to meet the needs of the local community along with sustainable measures to enhance the local ecology. Maps and architectural drawings are included in the presentation.
El centro comercial: connecting commercial opportunities to community needs, 2010

Todd Campbell, Madeline Carroll, Adrian Desilva, Candaco Dorsey, Saba Hamidi, John McCarthy, Adam Noga, Ruemel Panglao, and Luis Ramirez

This final report focuses on the creation of plans for Centro Comercial Monteverde, including the economic benefits of incorporating strategies to meet the needs of the local community along with sustainable measures to enhance the local ecology. Maps and architectural drawings are included in the report.
El centro comercial: redesign [PowerPoint], 2010

Todd Campbell, Madeline Carroll, Adrian Desilva, Candaco Dorsey, Saba Hamidi, John McCarthy, Adam Noga, Ruemel Panglao, and Luis Ramirez

This English language presentation focuses on the creation of plans for Centro Comercial Monteverde, including the economic benefits of incorporating strategies to meet the needs of the local community along with sustainable measures to enhance the local ecology. Maps and architectural drawings are included in the presentation.
Espacios Verdes Para Una Buena Salud [PowerPoint], 2010

Brandon Gordon, Colin McCarville, and Alana Sanders

This Spanish language presentation focuses on building green spaces into the proposed redesign of the Monteverde public health clinic. It includes site maps, photos, and architectural drawings.
Centro de servicios comunitarios de San Luis: proponer un ejemplo para un futuro sostenible [PowerPoint], 2009

Keith Buckley, Meghan McGuire, Will Ransom, Joshua Turner, and Amber Waery

Final PowerPoint presentation of a site plan and landscape design for a shared municipal facility to encompass the San Luis Development Association, the police department, and Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage (AYA). Includes two proposals. Notes included.
El centro de actividades: recreación, educación, conferencias [PowerPoint], 2009

Keith Buckley, Meghan McGuire, Will Ransom, Joshua Turner, and Amber Waery

Site plans and landscape designs for the repurpose of the La Cascada building and its grounds into a community center that will include a conference center and areas for education and recreation. Two proposals are presented.
El centro de actividades: recreation, education, conferences, 2009

Keith Buckley, Meghan McGuire, Will Ransom, Joshua Turner, and Amber Waery

Site plans and landscape designs to repurpose the La Cascada building into a community center that will encompass areas for education, recreation and a conference center. Two proposals are included.
Instalaciones para todos: campus comunitario y colegio, 2009

Linsey Graff, Brian Moran, Fernando Santana, Tyler Stanley, Oriane Daley, Daniel Dimillo, and Brian Hettler

Site plan and landscape design for five new buildings to house educational and medical facilities. Includes building site analysis and the social contexts from which three designs are presented. The final design is fully presented.
Instalaciones para todos: campus comunitario y colegio [PowerPoint], 2009

Linsey Graff, Brian Moran, Fernando Santana, Tyler Stanley, Oriane Daley, Daniel Dimillo, and Brian Hettler

A PowerPoint presentation of the site plan and landscape design for five new buildings to house educational and medical facilities. Includes building site analysis and the social contexts from which three designs are presented. The final design is fully developed.
Jardin ecológico del Instituto Monteverde, 2009

Brian Hettler, Kevin Fraser, and Amber Waery

Proposal for a community based educational space demonstrating the principles of permaculture, a nature based design system for sustainable agricultural practices. Includes site analysis, methology, and the various components to be included: an entrance that incorporates the Monteverde Institute’s iconic fig tree into the design, an interpretive center, community garden spaces and a sensory garden using species that attract area wildlife, a composting area, and a bee colony.
Jardin ecológico del Instituto Monteverde [PowerPoint], 2009

Brian Hettler, Kevin Fraser, and Amber Waery

Proposal for a community based educational space demonstrating the principles of permaculture, a nature based sustainable agriculture system. Includes site analysis, methology, and the various components to be included, i.e. incorporating the Monteverde Institute’s iconic fig tree into the entrance, creating an interpretive center, community garden spaces, composting area, sensory garden, bee colony, and species that attract area wildlife.
Monteverde en contexto: una mirada al crecimiento y al desarrollo [PowerPoint], 2009

Tuona M. Batchelor, Samantha Copeland, and Kevin Fraser

An urban planning study for the Monteverde District, and the issues considered in developing management strategies, such as land use, environment, water, mobility, and public spaces. Suggestions are included as to where growth can take place and in areas where growth is not feasible.
Planning report: growth management in Monteverde: learning from the past, looking at the present, planning for the future, 2009

Tuona M. Batchelor, Samantha Copeland, and Kevin Fraser

An urban planning study for the Monteverde District, and the issues considered in developing management strategies, such as land use, environment, water, mobility, and public spaces. Suggestions are included as to where growth can take place and in areas where growth is not feasible.
San Luis Center for community services: proposing an example for a sustainable future, 2009

Keith Buckley, Meghan McGuire, Will Ransom, and Joshua Turner

Site plan and landscape design for a shared municipal facility to encompass the San Luis Development Association, the police department, and Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage (AYA). Includes two proposals.