Located along the coast in Ecuador's Manabí Province, Cabana Don Juan looks out over the ocean and the forest. Architect Emilio Lopez situated the home at the top of a hill to best take advantage of views, and its east-west orientation and funnel-like shape facilitate cooling cross-breezes.

At roughly 1,200 square feet, the home has as simple plan. Communal, public spaces are located on the ground floor, and two bedrooms lie on the second floor in a loft-like space.

The rooms on the ground floor include a dining room, kitchen, full bath, and living room whose double-height ceiling stretches up to the second floor along the ocean-facing facade.

At the rear of the residence, facing the deciduous forest, another double-height wall of windows provides continuous views as one ascends the staircase.

The stairs and the entire structure of the home are made of locally sourced amarillo (Yellowheart) and asta wood. The exterior consists of window walls at the front and rear, and fiber cement panels along the sides.

The home’s furnishings lean toward simplicity, in large part because of the texture and warmth that comes from the walls lined in bamboo. The kitchen, for example, has wood cabinets, but the countertops are gray granite, continuing the neutral palette.

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Related Reading: Beach Breezes Blow Right Through This Ecuadorian House

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Emilio López

Builder: Daniel Corti

Structural Engineer: Patricio Cevallos