This beachfront retreat in Costa Rica, by local studio Laboratory Sustaining Design, includes a waterfall that flows between the outdoor pools stepped down its steep site.

Casa Cascada is located in Tamarindo Beach, a destination on the Pacific Ocean known for its quality surf. The home was built as a rental property for a local developer by Laboratory Sustaining Design (LSD), which has its offices in the small beach town.
The residence is named after the water feature that cascades from a pool on the first floor to its counterpart at ground level.

The four-storey home encompasses 450 square metres and is nestled into a steep slope overlooking the ocean. To maximise views of the nearby Tamarindo and Langosta beaches, the architects distributed the living areas over four different levels, giving every bedroom waterfront views.
The main entrance is on the third level, within an open-concept kitchen, living and dining room. This area is fronted by floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, which open onto a wraparound terrace facing the ocean.

"The layout of this house and the design of the windows give natural cross ventilation and natural illumination to all the spaces of the house, enhancing the experience of the tropical climate," LSD said in a project description.
Rich wooden furnishings contribute to the tropical feeling of this space, which sits just above the tree line and features an outdoor area for grilling, next to the interior kitchen.

A minimal staircas...