Ojo de Nila
An undulating roof opens a home to the Pacific Ocean and invites a life lived outdoors
| Overview
Ojo de Nila is a home shaped by the rhythms of the landscape in Bahía Ballena. Designed for a Swiss couple seeking a deeper connection to the environment, the house invites a lifestyle centered on living outdoors in comfort without air conditioning. Set on a secluded mountain with expansive ocean views and surrounded by abundant biodiversity, the home is completely open toward the Pacific so its inhabitants remain in constant dialogue with light, air, and the forest canopy.
Above it all, an organic roof moves in soft waves that echo the surrounding topography. The pool stretches toward the horizon and blends with the sky to form a circular reflection that resembles an eye when seen from above. This gesture inspired the name Ojo de Nila, a home that observes and engages with the landscape.
| Concept
Benjamin Saxe shaped the concept through a desire to strengthen the bond between architecture and nature. By introducing a gentle and sinuous form into a powerful natural setting, the design established a language that resonates with the geometries of the landscape. The roofline becomes a fluid gesture that encourages the inhabitants to feel fully connected to the outdoors while framing uninterrupted views of the ocean. The architecture supports a lifestyle where people reconnect with their surroundings, themselves, and one another through the act of living in the open air.
| Design
The home sits lightly on the hillside through a repetitive structural module placed along the natural contours of the terrain. This allows the building to float above the canopy while creating the sensation that it flows with the land rather than resting on top of it. Every space opens toward the Pacific Ocean so daily life becomes intertwined with changing light and cooling breezes. By removing windows and doors on the ocean-facing side, the boundary between indoors and outdoors disappears, allowing the inhabitants to feel immersed in the climate and ecology of Bahía Ballena.
| Sustainability
Ojo de Nila is defined by a clear bioclimatic strategy that replaces mechanical systems with natural airflow. The architecture remains open on the ocean side, allowing sea breezes during the day and mountain breezes at night to cool the home. The roof provides shade and directs ventilation throughout the structure. Elevating the building preserves natural water flows and vegetation beneath, while the use of teak and other long-lasting materials supports durability in a coastal climate. Every aspect of the design reduces impact and supports a lifestyle rooted in the environment.
| Construction
The construction system is based on a modular and lightweight structure that could accommodate the curves required by the site. The metal structures were welded together on-site to form a roofscape that behaves like a new landform, composed of brown shingles that blend harmoniously with the terrain. This methodology allowed the team to build efficiently while maintaining precision, reducing on-site impact, and protecting the delicate environment of Osa.
| Client’s Personal Perspective
“We first visited Costa Rica in 2019 and immediately felt a connection with the landscape, the people, and the sense of living close to nature. When we returned to Switzerland, we searched for architects who shared our values and found Studio Saxe. Their approach to designing in harmony with the environment matched exactly what we hoped for. We wanted a home that could remain open to the outdoors, cooled naturally by the ocean and mountain breezes, and allow us to live without air conditioning while feeling comfortable year-round.
From the beginning, we imagined organic forms and curved lines that felt natural for this site in Bahía Ballena. The first proposal already carried this undulating roofline, and it resonated with us. Elevating the house made sense because it supports airflow and places us among the trees. It gives us the feeling of floating while staying connected to the ground below. Each pod has its own atmosphere, from the quiet green views of the bedroom to the wide ocean horizon of the pool lounge. Daily rituals have become part of the architecture, whether it is making coffee while watching the sea or opening the curtains in the morning as the forest wakes. The pool and the view beyond it form a shape that reminded us of an eye, which inspired the name Ojo de Nila. Living here feels peaceful and natural, exactly as we hoped when we first imagined this home.” — The Client