Cielomar

OVERVIEW

A private luxury resort sanctuary that jots out into the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica's northwest province of Guanacaste. With the Pacific Ocean to the west and a pond and world-class Arnold Palmer golf course to the east of the villa, the site design of the property focuses the views toward the ocean. The property faces the ocean from the vantage point of a promontory and cliff three hundred feet above sea level. This condition creating opportunities for dramatic architecture.

The villa is designed as a 'bow and arrow', cut into the promontory overlooking Prieta Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The house steps down the cliff toward the ocean, presenting a modest one-storey semi-circle form to the street and golf course, yet accommodating three-floor levels on the ocean side.

Organizing the levels downward and outward into the face of the cliff also presented the opportunity to cantilever the infinity-edge pool out over the edge of the terrace, creating the dramatic illusion of swimming three hundred feet above the ocean. The Olympic-size pool is lined with charcoal-black volcanic lava stone, imparting a deep blue color.

Flying sixteen feet above the pool beyond the edge of the terrace, the bridge or viewing platform visually connects the upper level with the water. Standing at the end of the bridge gives one the impression of soaring above the jungle and the ocean. The bridge points to where the sun dips below the ocean horizon each evening, making the end of the bridge the best location for cocktail hour.

Air-conditioned interior spaces open to the ocean views, as well as a large exterior covered loggia that functions as an outdoor living room, to enjoy Costa Rica's famous warm and mild weather while being protected from the equatorial sun.

The villa provides views of all primary spaces: a salon large enough for a dining table and a bar; three family bedrooms; three guest bedrooms; two private studies; and the kitchen. This was achieved by curving the house in a semi-circle around a radial point in front of the bridge, so that each room has a slightly shifted view of the ocean to the west and headlands visible to the north and south.