Casa Las Olas by Young Projects: A Tropical Retreat in the Dominican Republic

Nestled between a pristine beach and lush jungle in Playa Grande, Dominican Republic, Casa Las Olas is a 20,000-square-foot luxury vacation home designed by New York-based studio Young Projects. Completed in 2021, this expansive retreat offers a harmonious blend of sustainable design, luxury living, and immersive indoor-outdoor experiences. Photographed by Iwan Baan and Karla Read, the project showcases how architecture can celebrate nature while providing spaces for family, wellness, and creative gatherings.

The Retreat House, the centerpiece of the 4.5-acre compound, is accompanied by two guest homes, a yoga pavilion, and a beachfront relaxation structure. The courtyard-centric design frames spectacular natural elements, including a centuries-old tree at the heart of the property, creating intimate moments for gathering, meditation, and connection with nature. Softly meandering paths preserve the site’s ecological integrity while connecting the various structures, offering a seamless journey through the tropical landscape.

Visitors approach the home via a travertine and gravel footpath lined with tropical gardens. The open-air entrance, finished in weathered ipe, guides guests under the home and up to a breezy central courtyard. This “moment of compression” reveals panoramic ocean views, enhancing the sense of arrival. The courtyard walls, cast in white concrete with palm stem formwork, create a textural, organic ambiance that dances with light and shadow.

The residence’s roof, crafted from 160 exposed scissor trusses, undulates across the semi-circular plan, nearly grazing the jungle canopy without disrupting it. Each interior space emphasizes natural light, privacy, and connection to the landscape. Seven bedrooms, including a master suite with a private meditation and yoga platform, offer breathtaking jungle and ocean views. Interiors are a blend of contemporary and tropical aesthetics, with rich textures, rattan elements, alabaster terrazzo floors, and locally and internationally sourced custom furniture.

The open-air living room soars up to 30 feet, anchored by the Elephant Table, a modular piece symbolizing family members and serving multiple functions. Large terraces, infinity-edge pools, and expansive dining spaces enable alfresco living while promoting wellness, leisure, and social interaction. Other structures, like the Glitch House, seamlessly integrate into the jungle, providing creative spaces for staff and visiting artists.

Beachfront amenities include the Rock House and Yoga Pavilion, designed for meditation, exercise, and relaxation. The Rock House’s six stone-like volumes house a massage area, sauna, cold plunge, and steam room, while the Yoga Pavilion offers an expansive cantilevered deck for group sessions and performances, all with uninterrupted coastal views.

Casa Las Olas exemplifies luxury tropical architecture, combining sustainability, artistry, and immersive natural experiences. Every material, view, and spatial arrangement is carefully considered to enhance wellness, creativity, and family life. Young Projects has successfully created a retreat that celebrates the Dominican Republic’s natural beauty, blending indoor-outdoor living with extraordinary design and craftsmanship.

All the photographs are works of Iwan Baan, Karla Read