Sebastien Verniers

Principal Architect

Belgium, 1982. Architect licensed with distinction and best thesis award in 2006 at the "Institute of Architecture Victor Horta" in Brussels.

He started his practices working for TAG arquitectos in Costa Rica as a work-site supervisor on the construction of the "Celeste Mountain Lodge", an ecological lodge located next to the Volcano Tenorio National Park. During this year, he also designed an all-wood ecological bungalow that recently won an award at the 20+10+X World Architecture Community Award. He completed his practice in Belgium before he joined the Gecko Ridge project as the main architect.

His architectural inspiration takes source from the different travels he has done the last few years as he went through Japan, Australia, India, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, the Occidental European and Central American countries… And defines himself as an "ecological functionalist" which basically means that his architecture always takes root in the cultural and regional soil where it is conceived and try to meet the most fundamental human needs with an economy of expression. Or borrow certain traditional method to transmit them in a contemporary and vernacular design.

 

 

Eftychia (Joy) Manou

Landscape Architect

Joy graduated from the Institute of Technology of Agronomist in Epirus, Greece, with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Her graduate thesis, Golf Course Architecture, was officially the first in Greece. She took postgraduate work in Agricultural and Environmental Studies at the University of Aegean in Mitylene, Greece. In 2005, her article,How to Choose the Perfect Place for Your Golf Course, was published in the newspaper, Real Estate of Kathimerini.

Joy's practical work experience began in 2007 as a landscape architect at the Grand Hotel Porto Carras,www.portocarras.com, in Chalkidiki, Greece. She was responsible for the design and expansion planning of the Porto Carras Golf Course. She also took part in the landscape renovation of the hotel, its marina, and its equestrian center. In September 2008, Joy joined Gecko Ridge as its primary golf course architect.

Inspiration for the golf course architecture at Gecko Ridge came to Joy from the property's amazing view of three volcanos—Rincón de la Viega, Miravalles, and Tenorio. To connect the view to the golf course, she introduced natural crushed lava rock as decorative hazards. With great respect for the environment, she used the natural topography of the existing land whenever possible and designed the lakes to collect rain water. The deep green of the turf is the ideal background to complement the natural palette of Costa Rica's trees, bushes and flowers. The overall course plan encourages golfers to enjoy all aspects of the game through flow, flexibility, safety and aesthetics. In this way, the course balances the Gecko Ridge amazing views with the greatest challenge to the golfer.

 

 

Joseph Weiss

Landscape Architect

Joseph Weiss graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture in 2006.

Joseph began his professional career at TBG Partners, Landscape Architecture Firm, in San Antonio, Texas (www.tbgpartners.com). Brought in as a graphics specialist, he soon began to design, thus discovering a new passion in the realm of architecture. His next occupation as a project manager for GAC General Commercial Contractors was in Dallas, Texas, where he familiarized himself with construction processes as well as managing those involved with the overall procedure. In addition to architecture, as an artist he practices graphic design and continues to be an architectural illustrator.

Being multicultural and bilingual, one of Joseph's goals had always been to live and work in Latin America; an area of the world where he feels at home and is always intrigued with and understands the many natural and cultural possibilities the region has to offer. In 2005 he had an opportunity to live and work with the Tarahumara Indians in Norogachi, Mexico (Copper Canyon region) on a fully sustainable school while introducing eco-friendly systems such as proper water collection, wind generation and greywater usage (www.mexnor.org/high/UTSA.htm). Then in 2007 the opportunity to work in the beautiful country of Costa Rica as a landscape architect for Gecko Ridge arose. It was an easy decision to make.

Joseph's design principals are based on eco-friendly philosophies and sustainable considerations which he believes should be the standard for all design as well as everyday life. In his current project, he has applied these philosophies by contributing to the design of the golf course with increasing respect to the natural layout of the land, water conservation and overall strong ecological values. Moreover, as a golf enthusiast, he has discovered the beauty and complexity of golf course design and is currently in the process of designing the first ever 9-hole Par 3 course in Costa Rica.

The application of his design skills and theories in collaboration with the other designers towards the Gecko Ridge 18-hole championship course, the Par 3, and the community itself while holding in high regard all the elements that must work as one to have a functional and efficient end result, will guarantee that the Gecko Ridge project will thrive and give back to Costa Rica and Guanacaste.