This is a story of a Swiss family who fell in love with a small surf village. They went to Panama on holiday in 2021 with three children, a surf habit and no intention whatsoever of buying land. Sunhi Vista is a boutique resort above Torio Bay that now sleeps twenty-five.

It is four buildings — a three-bedroom villa with a pool, a second residence, two double tiny studios — spread across a hillside where the jungle runs down to the Pacific. We made the custom furniture for all of them.

— — How did a Swiss family end up building in Torio?

"We had no plans to buy land in Panama, let alone start a project, but life sometimes takes unexpected turns — and we're so glad it did."

"On our last day, while waiting for our daughter to ride, heavy rain forced us to shelter in the village restaurant. We accidentally sat at someone else's table, which led to a conversation with the land owner, who invited us to view some lots. The moment we saw our land, we were captivated by the view. It was called 'the land at the end of the road', which only made us love it more."

— — Why that piece of land?

"I can't say exactly why we chose it. It feels like it was always meant for us — a piece of the world patiently waiting until we arrived."

"And then there's the charm of being at the end of the road — not just on one side, but on both. Or as we like to say, we have two ends and no beginning. A perfect metaphor for how life's unexpected twists brought us here. And the best part? You can always choose which path to take."

— — What did you want the buildings to feel like?

"Homes that feel natural and blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment. We didn't want to create just functional accommodation — we wanted to offer the most beautiful home away from home, a place where guests feel truly comfortable, inspired, and connected to the natural surroundings."

"It's about striking a balance between simplicity and a touch of understated luxury. My favourite is the spacious, bright, welcoming kitchen. It feels like the heart of the home."

— — Three words for Sunhi Vista?

"Authentic, adventurous, and grounding."

What we made, and why it was different

A house needs furniture that suits one family. A resort needs furniture that suits everyone who will ever stay in it — and then needs it again, in the next building, looking like it belongs to the same place.

So the brief here was consistency rather than character. Everything is cut from premium-grade plywood and finished to match the wall treatments in each structure, which is what lets four separate buildings read as one property. In the tiny studios, where a whole stay happens in a few square metres, the storage is built into the walls rather than standing against them.

It also has to survive being a resort. Coastal jungle, salt in the air, guests who are not being careful, and a cleaning routine between every booking. That is a harder test than a private house, and it is the reason this project is worth showing to anyone building hospitality in Panama.

— — What do you hope people leave with?

"A little piece of paradise to take with them. In a world that's spinning faster and faster, it's sometimes important to pause, take a deep breath, and simply enjoy the moment."