The client is first |
We value the importance of the client-architect relationship and seek to understand and interpret your ideas, being conscious to convey viable solutions on every project undertaken.
At Gecko Architecture each house is unique and every project has it's own style |
The Firm

Gecko Architecture is led by Olivier von der Weid, who has over twenty years of experience in a wide range of residential and commercial building types in the Southern and coastal part of Guanacaste. Olivier von der Weid qualified as an architect from Lausanne University in Switzerland in 1990. For 5 years he worked as a project planning teacher in the architecture faculty of the Lausanne University, and operated his own architecture studio in Vevey, Switzerland. He spent one year in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he specialized in tropical architecture, working with the two most famous architects of Brazil, Oscar Niemeyer and Paolo Mendez da Rocha.
In 1995 Olivier von der Weid moved to Nosara, Costa Rica, opening his architecture studio and managing W & W Construcciones S.A., his building and contracting company. In 2002, after having designed and built over 15 projects in the region of Nosara, Olivier sold his successful contracting company in order to devote his time solely to architectural work as well as project consulting. He now runs Gecko Architecture, designing homes and commercial buildings, advising clients about real estate, development, building and architecture.
Twenty years of living as a year-round resident of Nosara, of which seven working as a general contractor, as well as his architectural skills and expertise allow Olivier to have a full understanding of all the phases of a project, from the purchase of the land, development, site preparation, design, administrative steps and permits, construction and materials, interior design, landscaping to full completion of the project.
More recently his practice has been engaged to undertake several eco-friendly and alternative designs. He is also particularly interested in the integrated relationship between plants and buildings. He encourages all his clients to appropriately consider incorporating environmentally preferable choices into the design and the construction.
Olivier von der Weid speaks French, English, Spanish and German fluently.
In 1995 Olivier von der Weid moved to Nosara, Costa Rica, opening his architecture studio and managing W & W Construcciones S.A., his building and contracting company. In 2002, after having designed and built over 15 projects in the region of Nosara, Olivier sold his successful contracting company in order to devote his time solely to architectural work as well as project consulting. He now runs Gecko Architecture, designing homes and commercial buildings, advising clients about real estate, development, building and architecture.
Twenty years of living as a year-round resident of Nosara, of which seven working as a general contractor, as well as his architectural skills and expertise allow Olivier to have a full understanding of all the phases of a project, from the purchase of the land, development, site preparation, design, administrative steps and permits, construction and materials, interior design, landscaping to full completion of the project.
More recently his practice has been engaged to undertake several eco-friendly and alternative designs. He is also particularly interested in the integrated relationship between plants and buildings. He encourages all his clients to appropriately consider incorporating environmentally preferable choices into the design and the construction.
Olivier von der Weid speaks French, English, Spanish and German fluently.
Services

- Architectural design
- Construction blue-prints, details and specifications
- Exterior and interior three dimensional perspectives
- All building permits
- Construction supervision
- Real estate, architecture and building consultation
- Land development
Why choose Gecko Architecture?

- Gecko Architecture will help you carefully plan your home project, taking account of all the details relevant to your needs and expectations as well as your ideas and suggestions.
- Three dimensional perspectives of the project which show the exterior and the interior, as well as the sunlight’s influence throughout the day allow you to have a clear vision of the building during the design phase. This comprehensive approach assures results that meet or exceed client expectations and helps avoid costly changes and delays during the construction phase.
- The location of a building has a direct impact on its performance. Gecko Architecture has a full understanding of all the natural and specific climatic conditions of this region of the world. The site is carefully studied, with its gradient, the underlying soil, the orientation and exposure to the sun, the rain and the winds. This study will determine the optimal location and orientation of the building, its final design and the most viable alternatives for construction materials.
- Very special attention is given to achieve comfortable and functional living spaces, good lighting, both natural and artificial, a logical and practical floor plan where no space is lost or to no purpose. No money is wasted on useless extra square feet.
- Gecko Architecture focuses on aesthetic design, detailed finishing touches, interior decorating and well planned landscaping to create an original and elegant building.
- Gecko Architecture is always close at hand to the building site, therefore allowing excellent coordination and communication between client, architect and builder and benefits of a good reputation and an excellent relationship with the best contracting companies in the area.
- Architecture will help you find the most reliable contracting company, the most cost-effective and the most qualified and specialized to complete the project to your specifications.
- You will be able to follow up the construction with the architect, making sure the house is built exactly as planned. If you are absent, we regularly send digital pictures to show progress.