You already have a design you would like to use. Now it needs to respond to the property and conditions in Costa Rica.
Corbán’s design adaptation service reviews and adjusts existing plans for the site, climate, orientation, materials, systems, dimensions, construction criteria and applicable local project requirements.
Before work begins, your proposal states the scope, deliverables, exclusions, responsibilities, review points, fee, schedule and recommended next stage.
THE SERVICE
Know What Can Be Adapted Before Reusing a Design
Design Adaptation for Costa Rica works from an existing architectural direction rather than creating a new concept. It identifies what needs adjustment for the property and local context, then develops the adaptations expressly included in the proposal.
You are commissioning a bounded adaptation—not automatic approval of imported plans. The proposal identifies which documents and changes are included, what remains unresolved and which specialists are needed.
When the concept, program or form needs substantial redesign, Architectural Design is the appropriate route.
THIS SERVICE IS USALLY APPROPRIATE WHEN
You have an existing design and permission to use or adapt it.
You purchased overseas house plans or received drawings prepared for a different site or context.
You want to adapt existing house plans without replacing a concept that still suits your needs.
You need to understand the changes required for your property.
You want climate, orientation, dimensions and material choices reviewed before further technical work.
You need a clear boundary between targeted adaptation and a substantially new architectural design.
KEY BENEFITS
Understand which parts of the existing design need local adaptation.
Keep a useful design direction while addressing site and climate needs.
Identify engineering and documentation requirements before advancing.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
An assessment of the existing design for adaptation
Agreed architectural adjustments and documentation
Site, orientation and climate-response criteria
Material and construction considerations at the agreed level
A record of retained elements, changes and open issues
A recommendation for the next technical or design stage
WHAT IT INCLUDES
Service at a Glance
A targeted service that adapts an existing design direction to the property and Costa Rican context without automatically redesigning the whole project.
What's Included
Review of the existing architectural design
Assessment of the relationship with the site
Orientation and climate-response adjustments
Natural ventilation and daylight considerations
Review of dimensions and spatial fit
Material suitability at the agreed level
Construction-system considerations for adaptation
Applicable local requirements needing coordination
Architectural changes expressly agreed in the scope
Adapted documents identified in the proposal
What's Not Included
Substantial redesign of the concept, program or form
Where This Service Fits
1
Advisory & Feasibility
Clarify whether the property and project are ready to advance.
3
Architectural Design
Develop spaces, circulation, envelope, openings, materials and passive criteria.
5
Pre-Construction Decisions
Prepare for budgeting, scheduling and contractor comparison.
Design Adaptation can follow an initial review of existing drawings when the overall direction remains useful. It requires enough site information and access to the documents needed to understand the proposed changes and their limitations.
2
Preliminary Design
Explore the concept, layout, form and initial site relationship.
4
Engineering & Coordination
Develop and coordinate the required technical disciplines.
6
Owner-Side Construction Support
Maintain owner-side visibility during construction.
What We Need From You
SHARE THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, SUCH AS:
Property location and current status
Existing plans and available source files
Permission to use and adapt the design
Intended use and required spaces
Survey or available site information
Original design location and assumptions
Elements you would like to retain
Known site conditions or restrictions
Target investment range and project stage
Whether you are in Costa Rica or abroad
Existing plans may be incomplete or difficult to adapt. Corbán will identify missing information, required specialist work and whether the changes remain within an adaptation scope.
BEST FOR
Residential and Selected Boutique Projects
Single-family home
Owners adapting overseas or third-party house plans for primary homes, vacation residences and rental villas in Costa Rica.
Tourism project
Lodges and small hospitality projects with an existing design that needs a different site or climate response.
Commercial or Mixed-Use
Selected projects reusing an architectural direction while adjusting dimensions, materials and local requirements.
RESULTS
An existing design adapted at the agreed level, with retained elements, required changes and remaining technical work identified—without treating imported plans as ready to build.
WHAT TO CONFIRM BEFORE HIRING
We Answer Your Questions
Does Adaptation Include Engineering?
Not by default. Structural and other engineering work must be expressly included or commissioned through a separate scope.
When Does Adaptation Become Architectural Design?
When the concept, required spaces or building form needs substantial redesign rather than targeted adjustments.
Will the Adapted Drawings Be Ready for Permits?
Only the documents expressly identified in the proposal are included. A complete submission may need coordinated engineering, specialist information and additional documentation. Approval is not guaranteed.
Can Existing Design Adaptation Be Managed Remotely?
Selected reviews and file exchanges can be digital. Site verification, local information and specialist inputs are identified in the proposal.
Does Corbán Take Over Every Original Design Responsibility?
No automatic transfer is assumed. The proposal defines Corbán’s adaptation scope, required participants and the remaining responsibilities before work begins.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN?
Keep Exploring
Integrated Design Package
Coordinate adapted architecture with the main engineering disciplines when a broader technical scope is required.
Architectural Design
Develop a new architectural direction when the existing concept needs more than targeted adaptation.
Pre-Construction Decisions
Prepare for detailed budgeting, scheduling and contractor comparison once the design is sufficiently developed.