Casa Ohana: Independent Volumes & Sustainable Coastal Design

Project Context and Site

Casa Ohana is situated in a secluded area within the tropical forest of Puerto Escondido, where the site establishes a complex relationship between the immediate nature and the distant view of the Pacific Ocean. This contrast between dense vegetation on one side and expansive visual openness on the other formed the primary framework for the project’s approach.

Overall Architectural Concept

Rather than treating the building as a single dominant mass, the design relied on a collection of relatively independent volumes, carefully distributed in response to the surrounding terrain and vegetation. This arrangement allowed for a thoughtful balance between openness to nature and the preservation of an intimate, enclosed feeling.

Usage and Privacy Requirements

The owners envisioned a home capable of accommodating family and friends without compromising privacy. Accordingly, the architectural solution allows for a diversity of spatial experiences, where open social areas coexist with quieter zones dedicated to reflection and seclusion.

Design Challenge

The main challenge was how to embrace the power of the natural landscape without competing with it or allowing the architectural mass to dominate. Thus, the design acts as a subtle mediator between humans and nature, enabling interaction with the surrounding environment rather than imposing a visually loud presence.

Exterior view of Casa Ohana's central social pavilion with a large concrete cantilever roof, infinity pool, and lounge chairs surrounded by palm trees. — The main social area features a dramatic open-air pavilion that dissolves the boundaries between the living space and the surrounding tropical landscape.

Perspective view from the shaded social area of Casa Ohana towards the swimming pool and beach, framed by solid concrete columns. — The architectural layout breaks the residential program into independent volumes, allowing the tropical forest to flow freely between spaces. (Image © Cesar Belio)

Minimalist kitchen in Casa Ohana with concrete shelving, a central island, and wooden shutters providing natural light and ventilation. — The kitchen follows the same material palette of the house, emphasizing functionality and integration with the architectural structure through custom concrete cabinetry. (Image © Cesar Belio)

Climatic and Environmental Considerations

The natural conditions of the site, such as direct sun exposure, prevailing wind directions, and the risks posed by seasonal storms, required a careful design approach in the distribution and orientation of spaces. This was reflected in the organization of areas in a way that minimizes climatic loads and enhances the building’s environmental performance.

Controlling Mass and Urban Spread

Although the large plot offered significant flexibility in architectural form, it simultaneously demanded a clear strategy to avoid excessive sprawl. Therefore, the size and dispersion of volumes were carefully controlled to preserve the existing landscape and limit unnecessary interventions in the surrounding environment.

A long wooden dining table under a concrete canopy in Casa Ohana, featuring views of the beach, pool, and sunset through palm trees. — An expansive outdoor dining area designed to host family and friends, framing sunset views over the Pacific coast. (Image © Cesar Belio)

A woman sitting on the edge of a bedroom pavilion in Casa Ohana, looking out toward the ocean through folding wooden shutters and palm trees. — Private terraces and folding wooden shutters allow residents to control their interaction with the environment, oscillating between total openness and secluded solitude. (Image © Cesar Belio)

Interior of a minimalist bedroom in Casa Ohana with exposed concrete walls, tropical wood paneling, and a built-in window seat overlooking the Pacific Ocean. — The bedrooms in Casa Ohana are designed as serene retreats, combining raw concrete textures with warm local tropical wood to create a sensory balance. (Image © Cesar Belio)

Organization of Architectural Volumes

Vertebral Studio adopted an approach that breaks down the residential program into eight independent volumes distributed across the site, allowing nature to permeate the interstitial spaces without obstruction. This arrangement reduced the visual dominance of the architectural mass and fostered a smoother relationship between the building and its natural surroundings.

The social areas were designed as open, permeable spaces that extend the visual field toward the ocean while supporting cross-ventilation. In this way, traditional boundaries between interior and exterior dissolve, making the natural landscape an integral part of the daily living experience. The approach highlights the importance of interior design in creating seamless connections with the environment.

Privacy within Sleeping Units

In contrast, the nine bedrooms were designed as relatively independent units, serving as spaces for calm and seclusion. Each room features two carefully positioned openings: one framing distant ocean views, and the other oriented toward landscaped interior courtyards, enhancing privacy without completely disconnecting from the surrounding environment.

Architectural floor plan of Casa Ohana project, detailing the arrangement of the eight independent blocks and surrounding landscape. — The floor plan reveals the fragmentation of the residential program into independent blocks to ensure natural light and ventilation for all areas.

Architectural cross-section drawing of Casa Ohana showing the relationship between the built volumes, the sloping terrain, and tall tropical trees. — This technical section highlights how the design responds carefully to the site’s unique topography and existing canopy.

Material Selection and Climate Response

The project’s material palette, including exposed concrete, neutral tones, and local tropical wood, reflects a direct response to the region’s climatic conditions. Earthy color tones echo the surrounding natural landscape, enhancing the harmony between the building and its environment.

Structural Framework and Durability

Reinforced concrete frames form the backbone of the structural system, ensuring high resilience against natural forces, particularly in an area prone to seasonal storms. This focus on durability demonstrates a profound architectural understanding of the site’s requirements.

Sensory Dimension in Design

The sensory aspect takes priority in the project, with elements such as lighting, texture, and vegetation employed not merely as decoration but as fundamental architectural components that enrich the spatial experience for occupants. This approach transforms every space into an opportunity for a thoughtful and immersive interaction with the surrounding environment.

A woman standing in the doorway of a modern concrete pavilion at Casa Ohana, reflected in a narrow decorative water feature amidst tropical plants. — Architectural reflection and water elements are used to create a tranquil dialogue between the built form and the rhythms of the forest. (Image © Cesar Belio)

View from a Casa Ohana terrace showing textured concrete walls and wooden slatted doors opening to a lush tropical garden. — The project utilizes neutral tones and raw textures to mimic the surrounding landscape, ensuring the building harmonizes with its environment. (Image © Cesar Belio)

Interaction Between Architecture and Environment

Casa Ohana embodies a quiet dialogue between architecture and its surrounding environment, encouraging residents to coexist with the rhythms of the jungle and the sea. This interaction reflects a deep understanding of the human relationship with the natural landscape, transforming the building into an integral part of its environment rather than a detached element.

Design Priorities

By focusing on natural ventilation, framed vistas, and generous outdoor terraces, the project offers a rich and diverse living experience. These priorities ensure that every interior and exterior space provides a sensory connection to the local climate and natural landscape. The emphasis on open and connected spaces aligns with contemporary design approaches.

A large pivoting wooden slatted door in a concrete frame at Casa Ohana, showing the transition between interior and exterior spaces. — Large-scale wooden elements provide natural ventilation and flexible privacy, key to the project’s climatic responsiveness. (Image © Cesar Belio)

Detailed view of the concrete structure and tiered steps of Casa Ohana's lounge area, featuring integrated wooden seating and warm sunset lighting. — The structural design utilizes reinforced concrete frames to ensure durability against seasonal hurricanes while maintaining a slender, elegant aesthetic. (Image © Cesar Belio)

Exterior view of Casa Ohana's curved concrete walls partially obscured by a dense canopy of tropical trees. — The strategic placement of independent volumes allows the natural vegetation to permeate the spaces between structures. (Image © Cesar Belio)

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The significance of the project lies in its ability to demonstrate that a spacious residence need not be dominant or alien to its surroundings. The design maintains humility, transparency, and a profound connection to the site, offering a model for context-driven coastal architecture rooted in an understanding of local and climatic conditions.

The Casa Ohana project reflects a clear understanding of the relationship between the building and its natural environment, providing an example of how independent volumes can be arranged to achieve visual harmony and natural ventilation. From this perspective, it can serve as a valuable reference for architects seeking to explore the interaction between residential design and the natural landscape.

However, the project raises practical questions regarding its replicability and implementation in different sites. Relying heavily on separate volumes may increase structural complexity and costs, while the spatial organization oriented toward privacy and seclusion may not always be practical for all users. Additionally, the design’s emphasis on sensory experience and environmental responsiveness could reduce space efficiency, presenting a challenge in balancing functional sustainability with design freedom.

Architectural practitioners can draw inspiration from Casa Ohana for strategies in dealing with complex terrain and tropical climates, yet it remains crucial to balance creative innovation with structural performance, operational costs, and everyday functionality. More insights and references on similar projects can be found in our Archive and Projects sections.