El Quincho

Case Study: EL QUINCHO

Client: Personal Project (Lynx’s Workshop)
Location: Monteverde, Costa Rica
Type: Private Community Space / Low-Cost / Low-Impact
Role: Improvisational Design, Build, Artistic Direction
Timeline: April – June 2010

Challenge

Lynx needed a larger space for woodcarving—somewhere close to nature, low-budget, and built with minimal tools. The goal was to create a multipurpose workshop that could serve both practical and creative needs, while involving friends and community in the process.

Vision

Inspired by nature and guided by necessity, the intention was to build a **simple yet soulful space** that supported both focused carving work and spontaneous gatherings. With no measuring tools, blueprints, or budget, the vision relied entirely on intuition, materials on hand, and a collaborative spirit.

Process

1. From Chicken Coop to Creative Hub
The chosen site was the ruins of an old chicken coop. The space was cleared, and construction began immediately—fully improvisational, fully hands-on.

2.Intuitive Construction

Structural posts were placed using only sight and instinct.
Materials came from nearby plantation cypress trees—only deadwood was used.
Only power tools used: chainsaw and drill. No measuring instruments.

3.Community Build Days
With a call to friends, the main structure and roof were raised in just four days of communal building and celebration.

4.Finishing Touches (3 Months)

Flagstone floor with a central built-in fire pit
Workbenches and built-in stone seating
Pizza oven made from local clay
Electricity and carved artistic details throughout

Outcome

EL QUINCHO became far more than a workshop—it evolved into a creative sanctuary, gathering place, and experimental build.

Uses over the years:

Carved **figureheads** for over a dozen European tall ships
Produced custom signage, fine-art furniture, and sculptures
Hosted apprentices, musicians, meditation circles, and pizza parties
The space lived and breathed creativity for seven years, offering inspiration not just for Lynx, but for many who visited, learned, and shared in its energy.

Materials & Sustainability

All wood sourced locally, only from fallen or dead branches
Zero live trees cut—most timber collected within meters of the site
One fallen tree was slabbed and used for carving benches and tables
Natural materials: local stone, clay, and reused materials
Sailor-style rigging techniques used for hoisting and assembly
Entire project completed with basic hand tools and community effort

Reflection

EL QUINCHO was an exercise in trusting the process, leaning into resourcefulness, and embracing creative freedom. Built without plans, powered by community, and shaped by hand, it became a true expression of improvisational architecture—grounded, raw, and full of life.