The existing context was formerly a pasture - fallow wasteland with a spectacular ocean view - and 6 palm trees. The land had three large existing ravines, a gentle slope toward the ocean, and is bounded by a public road and underbrush to the north, and 2 abandoned cattle ponds.
The impact of development on this site should mitigate the existing rainwater runoff and surface erosion into Puerto Escondido Bay, adjacent to the property. There are fishermen that rely on the health of Puerto Escondido. The existing coral reef in the bay had already been damaged significantly by continued sediment emptying into the bay. Through careful site planning we set out to mitigate surface erosion through the inclusion of bioswales, catchment ponds and soil retaining plants like, vetiver. The site needed significant restoration through earthwork, an extensive reforestation program including more than 1000 native timber / fruit trees, and nitrogen fixing ground cover was set in place, to improve the biodiversity of the site and the surrounding area, including the bay. As with all our projects, our ultimate goal was to have a positive social and environmental impact beyond the property boundaries while enhancing the natural beauty of the terrain.
The intent was to first restore property - then relate and engage Casa Loro with its site through architectural design. Casa Loro is essentially a modern tree house made of contextual materials that encloses and engages indoor and outdoor spaces. This interior and exterior rooms are given equal priority and function. The project overall engages with the entire site through a network forested trails and bridges to the remote guest cabins and pool.
The Main House is composed of 6 pavilions, 2 for private activities and 4 for public gathering. The kitchen, office, and dining pavilions are located on the west side of the house surrounding the central garden. The 2 private bedroom pavilions are located on the east side flanked by a fountain and a plunge pool. All the pavilions are organized around the indoor / outdoor living room – a modern tree house. All the pavilions are separated by gardens and walkways, and are raised from the ground, this separation allows for all the rooms to have ocean and garden views and cross ventilation that helps keep the temperature down and animals away. The design creates outdoor rooms in the space between structures that have been placed at varies elevations. Gardens fill these outdoor rooms and have been designed to accentuate the experience and transition from one space to the next.
All the pavilions have been built using renewable materials such as teak and bamboo, and have extended roof overhangs to keep the sun and rain away from the facades. Each of these spaces (both indoor and outdoor) have unique qualities and experiences. When passing through the modern pavilion from the vestibule into the outdoor living room you are compressed and then released into a vast open space that looks out toward the sea and is surrounded by sculptural roof forms – between public and private spaces.
There are various destinations around the house and the property each serving a unique purpose. The exterior spaces and variety of depth in between provide distinct experiences through unique qualities of light, volume and air flow. These changes in elevation throughout the design make the user experience more joyful and adventurous: each time there’s a new way to circulate through the house to get to your destination.
“The spaces are hierarchically separated by a series of steps, platforms, and water features that are surrounded by gardens that attract biodiversity. As you circulate, each space becomes gradually more intimate until you reach the bedrooms and their private gardens. ”
The pool is placed on the cliff overlooking the Pacific. The pavilion is simple and completely modern, employing the same design language as the modern pavilion of the main house. The cantilevered roof and open plan draws inspiration from the sprawling horizon line off in the distance. A series of solid walls protect from strong winds and offer a transition when entering the pool structure. Views are framed in vignettes between each of the walls. Palms and other trees have been planted specifically to be captured in these views.
Studio Tlalli is a high-end design studio that produces furniture and objects made from sustainable materials harvested from our private ecological reserve and assembled by hand in our shop in Pedasi, Panama. Casa Loro was largely furnished with custom furniture by Studio Tlalli.
2022
IM/KM Architecture & Planning
Kristin Morales + Ivan Morales
Mary Elizabeth Burton, Rene Nava, Betsy Cerrud de Quintero, Sasha Cole, Deborah Cavaliere, Emily Kinskey
Daniel Romualdez Architects
VTNA Architects
Team: Takashi Niwa, Masaaki Iwamoto, So Adachi, Jose Garcia
Titi Hernandez | We Design
Gilsanz Murray Steficek Engineers and Architects
Team: Phillip Murray, Jessica Mandrick, Ana Gallego
Icor Associates, LLC - Igor Bienstock
Construcciones del Este S.A.
ARUP - Vincent Lee
Clarient group - – Charlie Buscarino
Design Plus Studio - – Valentina Anania + Brian Ward
Lothrop Associates LLP – Joel Trace – Bill Simmons
La cuisine
IM-KM Architecture and Planning
Aerin
Daniel Romualdez
Galliarte - Yannelly Gallimore - Hunter Douglas Panama
Galliarte - Yannelly Gallimore
LNJ Tech Services - Luc Stampleman, Jason Hughes
All American custom pools - John Romano, Dave Coonan, Darwin
Tile install: Watermania
Reserva Panamaes team (Saul Cedeno, Juan Ortega, Juan Mendoza, Henry Cruz)
Titi Hernandez + team
La cantina | Install: Sebastian Boniche
Endureed - Luke Sparks
Cle Tiles
Galliarte - Yannelly Gallimore'
Graymar (Panama)