Studio Saxe intricately filters light into this stunning home suspending over the coast of Puntearenas, a surf town in Costa Rica.

Quoted from Studio Saxe. Across from the town of Dominical, nestled into the lush mountainside, ‘Cascada de Luz’ gazes out over the surf lineup towards the distant horizon where whales annually rear their young. Sunrays filter through the roof canopy, casting a soft, dappled light over the spaces below. A refreshing breeze flows up through the home, carrying the scent of native flowers. As day turns to night, the ocean mirrors the stars above, and the waves rolling over the sand offer a soothing rhythm in which to fall asleep.

The home is designed to progressively highlight the wondrous ecological and topographical surroundings. As visitors arrive and descend the driveway, they are offered glimpses of the ocean through the trees, over the top of the house. The roof covering is composed of perforated panels, tinted blue to create a seamless visual transition with the ocean’s horizon. Dropping below a soaring overhang, visitors find themselves in a cool and protected arrival area. Here, soft light permeates through the perforated panels, translucent sheets, and an array of teak louvers, creating an ambiance reminiscent of a dense jungle.

A wooden bridge suspended over a bamboo grove leads to the second level with a framed view of the sunset. Bedrooms on this level, including master suites on each wing, have independent balconies, bathrooms, and outdoor showers. The two levels are connected by an open staircase in a central atrium, suspended over a shallow extension of the pool. The social lounge and terrace below are enveloped by jungle on three sides and open to a 24-meter infinity lap pool balanced over a steep incline on the other.

This pool connects indoor and outdoor spaces such as the garden, jacuzzi, firepit, dining room, living room, breakfast terrace, and barbecue area, encouraging circulation through the water as easily as on foot. In the evenings, the roof activates in reverse, allowing discrete light from within to pass through the perforated surface, creating an effect like moonlight reflecting off waves.

Sustainability was core to every aspect of the home’s design. The roof functions as a large rainwater collection and filtration system. The perforated panels naturally sieve out leaves and debris, keeping the downspouts clear. The dynamic roof form is intentionally shaped to direct rainwater into three enormous storage tanks below the carport, providing all water needs for the house and landscape throughout the year. The stored water acts as a thermal mass, helping regulate the indoor temperature of the lower level. Photovoltaic panels are dispersed between the roof panels, providing the house with autonomous renewable energy.

Saxe’s Landscape department in collaboration with the architecture team aimed to revive the original environment. The architectural design was developed in tandem with the landscape so that both could influence each other. Vegetation was integrated into all spaces, not just around the periphery. Planter boxes surrounding the second level host a cascade of vines down the sides of the house converging in the central atrium, bringing greenery to the heart of the structure.

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