A secluded family retreat embedded within a forested cliffside, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and bordering a protected mangrove ecosystem.
Project Name: Casa Las Tortugas
Studio Name: IM-KM ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
Location: Panama
Site Area: 2 Hectare
Built Up Area: 10,000
Status: Built
Image Credits: Fernando Alda, Emily Kinskey, Ivan Morales
Casa Las Tortugas is a family retreat located within a 70-hectare coastal property, defined
by its dramatic topography, rich biodiversity, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The
site encompasses arid uplands, a secondary forest with century-old trees, and a coconut
grove along a tributary river inhabited by howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguarundi, and a variety of native species.
Identifying the optimal location for construction took over a year of study and site work. The lower portion of the property, previously used as cattle pasture, was densely overgrown and inaccessible. Clearing the brush required a team of twelve working for eight months, with extreme care taken not to disturb native trees or wildlife. Three potential building sites emerged, and the final location was selected based on key criteria: it was previously
disturbed land, located outside the conservation zone, offered good soil stability, and featured panoramic views of both forest and ocean.
The residence is organized around a central patio, the spatial and environmental core of the project. A wrap-around vaulted arcade frames the patio, which features a water element that supports evaporative cooling throughout the day. This central void facilitates natural cooling via cross ventilation, maximizes daylighting, and provides a shaded communal area for guests. The orientation of the patio allows uninterrupted views—to the ocean, to the forest, and to interior spaces—intentionally connecting all sightlines to the context beyond the architecture.
The massing of the main house is stacked around this central courtyard, generating shade
for the heart of the home while allowing elevated bedroom suites to capture birds-eye
views across the landscape. The spatial strategy also includes shaded terraces leading to
two detached guest pavilions, placed slightly apart from the main volume for privacy, yet
spatially and visually integrated into the overall composition.
The architectural language is a modern application of regional vernacular. The design
incorporates functional indoor-outdoor living spaces, integrates gardens into the interior
architecture, and uses site-specific materials to create a light, open, and environmentally
responsive structure. Locally available teak and concrete were used for the lightweight roof
structures and slabs, balancing structural efficiency with ecological logic. The house is
raised slightly off the ground and features long pergolas planted with bougainvillea, adding
natural shading and reducing solar heat gain.
Each façade was carefully designed to maintain clear proportional relationships between
plan and section. The material palette—earth-toned, textured, and subdued—was chosen
to harmonize with the surrounding environment. The resulting design achieves a clean,
modern aesthetic with slim profiles, passive climate performance, and a strong sense of
place. The surrounding gardens introduce tropical color and vibrancy, reinforcing the
project’s connection to its ecological setting while maintaining a sense of playful
informality throughout.
Designed to host 12–18 people comfortably, Casa Las Tortugas embodies a sensitive,
integrated approach to site, program, and climate—one that activates the entire property
while minimizing environmental impact and enhancing the guest experience.
