Reading Comprehension – An Open Home in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches and ecotourism. It’s a popular vacation spot for many people, sometimes inspiring them to move there entirely. One such family left behind Miami, Florida for a piece of Costa Rican wilderness in which they built their dream home.

Manuel and Emmanuelle Pinto’s house without walls was featured in the New York Times. It’s a house built without exterior walls in order to allow for better ventilation and enjoying the natural landscape around them.

New York Times writer Gisela Williams explains, “The kitchen was designed with two objectives: to create enough space so that several people would be comfortable working in it; and to be open both to the outdoors and the living room. There are no drawers or closed spaces so that everything receives ventilation, and there are no dark tight spaces for unwanted critters to live inside.”

When it rains the family lowers bamboo shades to protect the furnishings inside, according to the article. There are also no neighbors in proximity to invade their privacy, which is important when living in a house that is so exposed. It’s a unique house that offers a different way of living.

How about that? Could you live in a house without exterior walls?

Vocabulary

Ecotourism – (noun) the practice of traveling to beautiful natural places for pleasure in a way that does not damage the environment there.

Wilderness – (noun) a wild and natural area in which few people live.

Exterior – (adjective) located on the outside of something.

Ventilation – (noun) to allow fresh air to enter and move through.

Objectives – (noun) something you are trying to do or achieve : a goal or purpose.

Critters –(noun) a usually small creature or animal.

Furnishings –(noun) pieces of furniture, curtains, rugs, and decorations for a room or building.

Proximity –(noun) the state of being near.

Exposed –(adjective) not protected or covered.

Unique – (adjective) used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else

No comments

  1. Hello!

    This article is more interesting.

    If you would know not to live in a place like Costa Rica.

    I guess like everyone else in the end I got used; and you?

    See you!

  2. Hello!

    I really like the articles that you send things typical of UK, Canada, …

    Peanut butter? What is it? Where I can find it?

    See you!

    • Hi Belinda! We’re so glad you enjoy our articles! Peanut butter is a a creamy food made from peanuts. It is sometimes sold in Lidl or big supermarkets.

  3. It was a great idea to build a house like this.It can be very exciting to be surrounded with nature when it is not a busy town. and I can imagine how they listen to the birds singing!!! And everything seems to be considered well, I mean, they thought about the bad weather and the kitchen idea is pretty cool too. I would, certainly, like to live in a house like that! What about you?

    • We’d love to as well! Imagine seeing nature all day long from your living room. It’s a brilliant idea! Maybe we should all move to Costa Rica?

  4. It`s very good idea.
    Costa Rica is a country tourist

  5. Hahaha, it would be hard at first… but if there is nobody to see you, I guess it’s ok. Isn’t it beautiful, though?

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