Dancing with Nature

A living tree branch curves along the spiral staircase of our jungle treehouse, yielding gently under my grip as I climb. The architect, José, wove this branch into his design with the same thoughtfulness he applied to every element of this remarkable casita in the hills above Sayulita, Mexico.

Water whispers through the property's heart, flowing from collected rainwater through channels José carved into the hillside. The channels feed garden beds bursting with lush vegetation, then spill into pools where tilapia swim, filtering the water naturally. Each element supports the others in an intricate dance of sustenance and renewal.

From my hammock, I gaze through the casita's open walls at papelillo trees, their red trunks rising like pillars into the canopy. The house breathes with the forest. Every window frames a different view of the jungle-clad mountains, while the open kitchen merges seamlessly with the landscape beyond.