ABOUT
TOCA is a multidisciplinary design studio focused on modern sustainable architecture, interiors, and urban design.
Our fields of expertise range from tropical residential and commercial - architecture, planning and interiors - to set design for the entertainment and TV industries, and small-scale urban design.
We focus on different scales and regions, participating in the entire project cycle, from concept and feasibility, to detailed designs and final delivery, but always focusing on bringing an eco-friendly and smart approach to our designs.
Our mission is to bring value to your project, by rooting it with its context, surroundings and its purpose, while offering a process-driven structure for a seamless design and build experience.
Experienced in Latin and North America, our studio offers our clients inspiring, creative, efficient, and timeless designs, that translate its users' needs and styles.
Driven by a global perspective and a passion for multidisciplinary design and timeless, sustainable design, TOCA Architecture is led by architect, urbanist, interior designer, and project manager Lisa Tomie.
With a career shaped by diverse cultures - Brazilian-Japanese born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in Argentina and Sao Paulo - she has lived and worked in Miami, Brazil, and Los Angeles, to pursue her education and professional training, and is currently based in Costa Rica, all of which have given her the technical rigor and aesthetic sensibility required for high-end international markets.
She graduated from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, in Sao Paulo, in 2015, and had an exchange program at Florida International University, in 2013.
Her professional DNA is defined by a "polygamous" approach to design scales and disciplines, without compromising the keen eye for detail that specialized design requires.
Having worked at prestigious global firms such as Gensler, Jacobsen Arquitetura, and Marília Veiga Interiores, she has designed and led complex projects and remote teams across the globe—spanning from Latin America to the Middle East, for residential, hospitality, retail centers, restaurants, and corporate centers.
This experience has granted her the unique ability to manage high-stakes projects across different time zones and cultural contexts with seamless execution, all through a process-driven mindset, innovative technology, effective communication, and professionalism.
She believes that this fluidity between roles and territories is essential for modern architecture and complex projects, and what sets apart real professionals, whom our clients can trust, from simply deeply creative minds.
LISA TOMIE
architect | urbanist | interior designer | project manager
FOUNDER | TOCA ARCHITECTURE
OUR PRINCIPLES &
CORE DIFFERENTIATORS
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Global Rigor, Boutique Soul:
We apply the sophisticated project management and remote collaboration protocols of world-class firms to the intimacy of a boutique studio. This ensures a seamless, transparent design process—regardless of where you are in the world—without losing the high-touch attention to detail your project deserves.
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The "Tropical-Contemporary" Balance:
Drawing from a rich repertoire in boutique firms of Brazil, we bridge the gap between warm, tropical bespoke craft and clean, contemporary "box-like" design. We create spaces that feel architecturally sharp and modern yet remain deeply connected to the texture and materiality of their environment.
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The "Value-Engineered" Aesthetic:
We specialize in the art of the "High-End Look" but on a disciplined budget. Leveraging over a decade of experience in international markets, we know exactly where to invest in premium details—like custom millwork and signature finishes—and where to optimize construction costs to maximize your ROI.
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Micro-to-Macro Continuity:
Our design philosophy treats architecture and interiors as a single, living entity. By designing from the "inside out," we ensure that custom furniture and architectural millwork are integrated into the initial shell, creating a bespoke identity that standard construction cannot replicate.
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Complex Problem Solving for the "Middle Market":
We bring the technical expertise required for large-scale, high-complexity projects to the 180–600 sqm residential and commercial sector. We fill the "Missing Middle," providing professional-grade technical direction for clients who demand more than a template but don't require a multimillion-dollar mansion.
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Process-Driven Certainty:
We replace local construction uncertainty with established, international workflow standards. From initial 3D scanning and virtual coordination to rigorous project management, our methodology eliminates guesswork—ensuring your 180–600 sqm project is delivered with the precision of a large-scale global firm, on time, and within the $200k–$500k sweet spot.
Real Estate Partners
We collaborate closely with trusted real estate developers, investors, and brokers to unlock the full potential of every site. By pairing our architectural expertise with deep market insights, we deliver design-forward, feasible, and high-yielding properties from the ground up.
Our network spans the San Jose & Central Valley area, up to the Coast, Guanacaste and Puntarenas areas.
Established Builders & Developers Alliances
We view builders and developers as critical co-creators. Our process-driven workflow ensures seamless coordination from initial zoning analysis to final handover. We bridge the gap between ambitious design and practical job-site execution, creating high-end properties optimized for efficiency and structural integrity.
Our Regional AOR Partnerships
We pair our design concepts with the vital local expertise of regional Architects of Record. Working side-by-side with trusted local partners, we ensure smooth permitting, strict code compliance, and dedicated on-site project management across every market we serve.
Your Extended Production Studio
We provide larger architecture firms with a highly skilled, offshore technical team backed by internal project managers who ensure absolute quality control. By leveraging different time zones, we offer an around-the-clock workflow that slashes production cycles, handles heavy drafting volumes, and keeps your principal architects focused on high-level design.
OUR COLLABORATIVE NETWORK & STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
