A villa on the west coast of Nicaragua where the beaches are pristine and the surfing is excellent.

The owner wanted a house on the beach where she could create art and entertain her friends and where her children and grandchildren could surf. She fell in love with the site and the view of the ocean from that spot.

We designed the house with two wings that hinge at the entryway and open to the ocean beyond. This allows for ample courtyard and garden space while providing a breeze and ocean views from all rooms.

Meetings with the contractor took place early in design to understand locally sourced materials and methods of construction. The house was then designed utilizing these means and methods. Materials include: handmade clay brick structure with plaster finish, locally hewn lumber for roof structures, handmade wood doors and windows, local terra cotta floor tiles, commercially manufactured fiber cement roof tiles, locally harvested and dried palapa for the living room roof.

Completed: 2002