Location: Panama
BACA architects, led by Richard Coutts, has designed a cocoa pod-inspired treehouse and larger lodge for the Bíku Treehouse Retreat on the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama. Nestled among lush mangroves andtropical forests, the 270-square-foot treehouse maximises panoramic views of the Caribbean while providing security and mosquito protection. Its bulbous form splits like a cocoa pod, blending seamlessly with the surrounding rainforest and creating a unique, eco-sensitive retreat.
The project emphasises sustainability, harmony with nature, and immersive experiences for guests, reflecting the broader trend of inventive treehouse architecture worldwide. The larger 250-square-metre lodge complements the treehouse, offering additional accommodation while respecting the natural landscape. The retreat’s owners, Ariel Stephenson, a Panamanian hospitality professional, and Zabrina Shield, a British nature enthusiast, envisioned a sanctuary that celebrates local ecology, culture, and scenic beauty. Accessible only by boat, the retreat provides a secluded, immersive escape in one of the Caribbean’s most pristine settings.
The forms are inspired by cocoa pods and other seed structures found in the rainforests of Panama. The treehouse’s design aims to take advantage of the idyllic setting through a broad panoramic opening at one side of its bulbous form, splitting it in two like a cocoa pod. BACA selected bamboo as the primary material for the 25-square-metre treehouse, a decision taken due to the abundance in Panama and to make use of local construction knowledge.
Bamboo was picked as the primary material for the 270 square foot treehouse, due to its abundance in Panama, and to make use of local construction knowledge. To reduce the need for construction vehicles on site, parts of the structure will be prefabricated and assembled on the island. This also means the structure can be deconstructed without leaving permanent traces on the site. A spiral staircase wrapping the trunk of the tree, as well as the treehouse’s structure, will all be made from bamboo.
The Biku treehouses feature outdoor showers, shaded balconies, sleeping areas and staircases that spiral around the tree trunk. Key design considerations include deep overhanging for sun-protection, cross-ventilation, water-catchment, as well as protection from tropical rain-storms.
