Al Suave House is the Summer Vacation Home of Your Winter Dreams
“Al Suave House is a particularly chill home that allows its guests to wake up every morning to the sound of the waves and views of the sea from every corner of the house,” says Paula Cabrera Gil, founder of Pepe Cabrera Homes in Spain.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the property is that it splits into two parts. This the architects plan to preserve existing trees and to let water flow unobstructed. In the center is a river-shaped swimming pool that runs the full length of the house. A series of bridges crosses the pool, giving the whole home a sort of private island (or perhaps a tropical treehouse) feel. The shape of the design also draws wind in between the two sections. That provides natural cooling and reduces the need for A/C.
The structure is largely wood—plenty of wood—and concrete, with travertine flooring and clay brick bathrooms. All of the materials sourced from nearby places including Honduras (wood), Costa Rica and Mexico (glass), and El Salvador (bricks.)
A Rustic-Chic Vibe at Al Suave
The vibe is open, airy, cozy, and rustic-chic. The architects, the Salvadoran firm Cincopatasalgato, drew inspiration from paths to the beach lined with fences plus land that has a natural water flow—a place that was private but also very inviting. Here, tall fences transition between transparent and opaque. It depends on where you’re standing, but the wooden slats blur together to form a solid from certain vantage points.
The property is meant to be somewhere that people hang out, communicate, and connect. The open kitchen/dining area is the perfect hub where people can touch base and compare plans for the day. There are great many hangout areas both inside and out, with variously larger and small groupings of seats and tables for conversation, playing games, or just chilling and listening to music. Although it is the ultimate indoor-outdoor world, tall accordion glass doors can enclose the spaces should the weather become unpleasant.
Furnishings are high-end but casual, with pieces from well-known brands including Carl Hansen & Søn, Andreu World, and Gandia Blasco. There are, of course, plenty of custom pieces from local artisans. Some pieces, including the beds and modular sofa, are designed by Ms. Cabrera Gil.
When not being rented out, the home is also a private residence, and the architects were careful to design a place that was both perfect for them but also worked for others. “We really took our time to speak with each member of our client’s family, including the children, to truly grasp what was important to them,” says architect José Roberto Paredes. “The result of this highly personal approach to design is a unique dwelling that resonates with the spirit of Playa El Zonte. It’s a tropical haven where the essence of community, family, and exploration thrives.”
Story by Stephen Treffinger
All photography courtesy of Topofilia Studios
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