Cliff Edge Residence
Nicaragua | Currently in Design | Residential
A passionate client and an extraordinary site called for a building that would be worthy of its location. The site is at the top of a cliff, looking over the Pacific Ocean and Playa Escondida (The Hidden Beach) where sea turtles hatch and the surf swirls. The back of the site is nestled into a beautiful forest grove with views through the trees to the mountains and valleys beyond. The challenge was to take advantage of every gorgeous view and to match it to the appropriate interior space.
The elevated entry boardwalk takes you through the grove of trees and to a glass and wood corridor that frames the ocean for a dramatic main entry. Two wings flank the entry and rotate as needed to take in the critical views while also accounting for wind direction and the path of the sun through the day. The clay tile roof is held up by heavy timber beams that are in turn held up by thick stone walls. Large expanses of sliding glass bring in daylight and views in all directions and allow for the type of indoor/outdoor living that the climate calls for. The natural pallet of materials keeps this building rooted to and of the site on which is stands.