Nayara Bocas del Toro, Panama’s adults-only private island luxury retreat, is thrilled to reveal two towering fifty-foot treehouses originally designed by IBUKU, a Bali-based design studio lead by Elora Hardy. This is the architectural firm’s first project in Central America. The solar-powered treehouses are constructed from four varieties of locally sourced bamboo and 19 varieties of reclaimed five-hundred-year-old, partially petrified hardwoods recovered from the floor of the Panama Canal.
The structures are the first of five treehouses conceived by Elora Hardy, who borrowed inspiration from the lush surroundings to create a sense of arrival and discovery. The elegant and whimsical one-bedroom accommodations are located at the end of meandering paths covered in greenery and accessible via curving stairs. The airy dwellings have 21-foot ceilings with a tropical yet pared-down aesthetic and floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air living room look out over the canopy of the mangrove forest. Outdoor jungle showers and deep soaking tubs invite bathing en plein air, and a pulley system allows for unobtrusive room service.
“At Bocas Nayara’s treehouse, we wind up among the tall stilts to a glass Moon Door that turns like a dancer on its center pivot. Bamboo and reclaimed hardwood underfoot give texture to our journey. Around us, screens curve playfully and poles soar overhead. Overlooking the mangroves, the view wraps around us and we feel like we are part of it. With a balance of elegance and texture, we are at once open to nature and sheltered within our own space. Here is the place where we can incubate unforgettable experiences,” says designer, Elora Hardy.
While the word “treehouse” can conjure a ramshackle structure cobbled out of bent nails and splintered boards, IBUKU’s tree dwellings are an exquisite tribute to local craftsmanship and the sensuousness of nature, with raw edges and distinctive character. Built from locally harvested bamboo and reclaimed hardwoods pulled from the floor of the Panama Canal, the treehouse is an environmental marvel that fuses Balinese and Panamanian materiality and design traditions. Water is generated from purified rainwater and power from the sun. Great care has been taken to engineer environmentally safe wastewater treatment as specified in the detailed environmental study.
The resort also features 16 custom overwater villas, a 70-foot freshwater pool, the 100-year-old Elephant House restaurant, and the world’s first elevated white sand beach built on stilts over the sea. “A recent guest marveled at our varied architectural designs throughout the resort,” says General Manager of Nayara Bocas del Toro, Scott Dinsmore. “Every design has our guest experience in mind and our new treehouse is no exception. Just imagine staying in an Elora Hardy treehouse and an over the water luxury villa with a private pool all in one vacation – perfection.”
Treehouse rates for 2023 start at $1,500 per night during peak season and $1,300 per night during green season, including all meals and non-motorized water sports at the year-round destination. For more information or reservations, please call 1 800 637 9095 or visit bocasbali.com.
