Full 'Island Retreat' photoset coming in April 2025
Client Brief:
A retired inventor and an interior designer came to The Ranch Mine to design a coastal home that could host family and friends for extended stays. Their vision combined indoor-outdoor living, local craft, and comfort with resilience, all rooted in their deep connection to Belize.
Location:
The half-acre site sits just down the beach of downtown San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, with dense planting at the rear and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The narrow, deep lot required a design that maintained ocean views and natural airflow while withstanding the challenges of coastal weather and remote construction.
Design Solution:
The layout is a modern compound made up of a main house, two guest casitas, a caretaker suite, and a boathouse. The living spaces are oriented to the water, with large pocketing doors that open fully to the pool and patios. One of the rear casitas is aligned for a direct view through the house to the sea, creating a moment of framed openness across the property.
To increase durability in a hurricane-prone climate, the entire structure is built from concrete. Texture and warmth come from local materials, including Chukum plaster, native Sam wood cabinetry, handmade banana fiber lighting, and palm frond ceilings. These details connect the home to Belize’s cultural and environmental context.
The boathouse was the first structure built, serving both function and leisure. It includes storage for diving and fishing gear, a covered dock, and a shaded platform for relaxing above the water. The landscape transitions from jungle flora to soft sand, guiding visitors through layered moments of retreat and arrival.
Result:
This home is the culmination of a dream. A place where design becomes a lifestyle, where every detail reflects a story, and where people and place are deeply, intentionally connected. For us, it’s a reminder that bold design doesn’t need to shout. It can simply invite you in, hand you a drink, and ask you to stay awhile.
