VOID, a pioneering Costa Rican architecture studio, is redefining sustainable design through their groundbreaking approach to regenerative architecture. Featured in the 2025 Latin American Architecture Biennial, this innovative practice has been developing a unique methodology since 2012 that goes far beyond conventional sustainability concepts. Their work represents a paradigm shift in how architects can engage with natural and social environments, focusing on healing and regenerating the places where they build.
The studio's approach centers on what they call "an act of mediation" - a process that combines interdisciplinary research with careful attention to the diverse natural and social factors that define a location. Rather than imposing predetermined architectural solutions, VOID seeks to understand what they describe as "the many natures of a place." This philosophy has evolved over more than a decade into a comprehensive stance that prioritizes designing architecture "from and for the place," with the ultimate goal of caring for, healing, and regenerating the environments they touch.
Founded by Sergio Frugone, Felipe Rossi, and Ricardo Sevilla, VOID has developed a practice that opens spaces where territories can sustain and unfold their own adaptive processes. Their methodology represents a significant departure from traditional architectural approaches, instead embracing a holistic understanding of place that encompasses ecological, social, and cultural dimensions. This approach has positioned them as leaders in the emerging field of regenerative architecture within Latin America.
The conversation with VOID reveals the complex tensions and questions that permeate their practice. One central challenge involves moving beyond conventional sustainability metrics to embrace truly regenerative principles. While sustainable design typically focuses on minimizing negative impacts, regenerative architecture aims to create positive environmental and social outcomes that enhance the existing ecosystem. This distinction is fundamental to understanding VOID's innovative approach and their contribution to contemporary architectural discourse.
Another significant aspect of their work involves engaging with diverse Latin American contexts from their Central American perspective. The studio grapples with the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the region's complex territorial and ecological conditions. Their projects, including the NIDO Territorial Planning Project in Costa Rica, demonstrate how architecture can respond sensitively to local environmental conditions while contributing to broader regional sustainability goals.
VOID's practice also challenges conventional perceptions of Costa Rica as simply a "green country." Through their detailed study of complex territories and ecosystems, they reveal the nuanced realities of environmental stewardship in Central America. Their work exposes the intricate relationships between built environments and natural systems, demonstrating how architecture can play a more active role in ecological restoration and community resilience.
The studio's interdisciplinary approach incorporates expertise from multiple fields, including ecology, social sciences, and territorial planning. This collaborative methodology ensures that their architectural interventions address not only physical design challenges but also social equity, environmental justice, and cultural preservation. Their projects serve as models for how contemporary architecture can integrate community participation and adaptive design strategies.
Looking forward, VOID's work represents a significant contribution to the evolution of Latin American architecture. Their regenerative approach offers valuable insights for architects worldwide who are grappling with climate change, social inequality, and environmental degradation. By demonstrating how architecture can heal rather than merely sustain, VOID is helping to shape a new generation of environmentally conscious design practices that prioritize long-term ecological and social health over short-term economic gains.
