Ojo de Nila is a house set high above the Pacific in Bahía Ballena, Costa Rica, that’s shaped by a modular structure and a softly undulating roof that responds directly to land, air, and light. Designed for a Swiss couple seeking a deeper connection to nature, the house removes barriers between indoors and outdoors and replaces mechanical systems with natural comfort.
Designed by Studio Saxe with interiors by Atelier Sandra Richard, Ojo de Nila is defined by a clear architectural language rooted in repetition and flow. A series of structural modules follows the contours of the hillside, allowing the home to float above the forest canopy rather than cut into it. This modular logic supports a fluid roofline that echoes the surrounding topography and frames uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean.
The roof moves in soft waves across the structure, behaving like a new landform rather than a conventional covering. Its organic shape strengthens the bond between architecture and nature while establishing a calm rhythm throughout the home.
Arrival is shaped by elevation and openness. The house sits lightly on the mountain, preserving natural water flows and vegetation beneath. From the moment of entry, the ocean remains present, drawing the eye outward and reinforcing the home’s complete orientation toward the Pacific.
The absence of enclosure on the ocean-facing side ensures that movement through the house always remains connected to air, light, and sound from the surrounding forest and sea.
Stepping into the home, the dining area is fully open to the landscape, without windows or doors separating inside from outside. This openness supports a lifestyle centered on comfort through climate.
Positioned within the same modular framework, the kitchen has a long island with three pendant lights hanging above, while additional storage can be found behind the folding doors.
The living room balances structure and softness through a solid wood frame sofa paired with neutral cushions and tactile throws, all grounded by rich timber flooring.
A curved open air bedroom where the sweeping roofline and angled supports frame uninterrupted views of forest and ocean. The low timber bed and minimal furnishings keep the focus on light, air, and landscape.
The bathroom is pared back and calm, centered around a floating timber vanity topped with stone. Light filters through slatted timber and soft curtains, creating privacy while keeping the space open, tactile, and quietly connected to its surroundings.
The pool stretches toward the horizon, blending visually with the sky and ocean beyond. From above, its circular reflection forms an eye-like shape, inspiring the name Ojo de Nila. This gesture reinforces the idea of the home as an observer of its surroundings, always engaged with the landscape it inhabits.
Outdoor living extends across the deck, which echoes the form of the pool. The modular structure and flowing roof shape both shaded and open areas, allowing daily life to unfold outdoors with the same architectural rhythm found inside.
You can watch a short video of the home here:
The floor plan shows how each space connects within the unique shape.
Ojo de Nila demonstrates how modular construction can support expressive architecture without overpowering its setting. By allowing repetition to enable curvature, and structure to guide airflow, the home achieves a quiet balance between design and environment.