wavy roofscape crowns open-air house by studio saxe in costa rica

undulating roof crowns residence by studio saxe in costa rica

Perched on a secluded mountainside in Bahía Ballena, Costa Rica, Ojo de Nila is a private residence by Studio Saxe, led by Benjamin Saxe, that explores what it means to live fully outdoors in a tropical climate. Designed for a Swiss couple seeking a deeper relationship with their surroundings, the 300-square-meter home opens toward the Pacific Ocean, relying on natural ventilation.

The most defining element of Ojo de Nila is its organic roofscape. Moving in soft waves, the roof echoes the surrounding topography while providing shade and directing airflow through the house. Its sinuous profile replaces a conventional pitched form with a continuous gesture that unifies the different living areas beneath it. Constructed from welded metal structures and finished with brown shingles, the roof reads as an extension of the landscape.

all images by Alvaro Fonseca – Depth Lens

Living without boundaries between inside and outside

Set within the biodiverse landscape of Costa Rica’s Osa region, the home responds directly to its site. The architects at Studio Saxe follow the natural contours of the land through a repetitive structural module that allows the building to hover above the terrain. This elevated stance preserves existing water flows and vegetation while positioning the living spaces among the treetops, where ocean breezes and shifting daylight define everyday life.

All primary spaces open toward the Pacific, with windows and doors removed on the ocean-facing side. This openness allows the house to remain naturally cooled by sea breezes during the day and mountain air at night. Daily routines unfold in close contact with the environment, as shifting light, wind, and sound become part of the spatial experience rather than conditions to be excluded.

the undulating roofscape weaves through the forest canopy

Ojo de Nila adapts to its environment to reduce energy use

Sustainability at Ojo de Nila is driven by bioclimatic design. Cross-ventilation, shading, and elevation work together to maintain thermal comfort without mechanical cooling. The use of teak and other durable materials supports longevity in the coastal climate, while the lightweight construction minimizes impact on the sensitive ecosystem below.

The clients describe their home as the result of a long search for an architecture aligned with their values. Their experience of Costa Rica led them to seek a house that could remain open year-round, be cooled naturally, and be shaped by organic forms. As they note, daily rituals such as making coffee while watching the sea or waking to the forest canopy have become integral to the architecture itself, confirming the ambition of the project to merge living space with environment.

Extending toward the horizon, the pool becomes an anchor for the project. Seen from above, the circular reflection formed by water and sky resembles an eye, a gesture that inspired the name Ojo de Nila. This symbolic moment reinforces the idea of the house as an observer of its surroundings, open and attentive to the rhythms of the landscape.

the wavy roof geometry wraps around a central courtyard and pool