Pompey Estate by Freecell Architecture and Gia Wolff Design

Hidden in the tropical Jamaican jungle, Pompey Estate by Freecell Architecture and Gia Wolff is a recording studio and 50-acre retreat where creatives can come to slow down and tap into the undulating artistic energy that is often overlooked amid the rhythm of everyday life.

Home to DJ and producer Diplo, the sprawling residence is a place where people can gather, immerse themselves in the lush surroundings, explore, connect and feel inspired. “During our initial exploration of the site, we observed the complex interplay of roots, leaves, land crabs and the rapid pace of growth,” says Gia Wolff, design director at Gia Wolff Design. “This inspired us to create a design that mirrored this complexity, offering a multitude of options for movement throughout the buildings, reminiscent of navigating a natural terrain.”

The resulting experience encourages discovery, inviting occupants to meander through the spaces and encounter multiple entry points and arrival areas.

Perched on a ridge with stunning vistas of the hills, sea and the blue lagoon, the main residence features two buildings separated by terraced courtyards and a swimming pool, linked by a network of outdoor paths and with a bridge overhead that connects to the limestone outcropping that creates a covered entry to the foyer. “The resulting experience encourages discovery, inviting occupants to meander through the spaces and encounter multiple entry points and arrival areas,” says Lauren Crahan, partner at Freecell Architecture. Inside the home, open and expansive spaces are prioritised to accommodate gatherings.

Meanwhile, the studio is intentionally separated from the house – sitting in a quiet area at the base of the ridge line, downhill from the residence. “The distance is far enough to be a journey; for one to be embraced by the sounds and smells of the jungle before entering the world of the studio,” notes Crahan. Carved into a lower sloped hill, the studio is deeply embedded into the landscape, with a roof overhang and a folly-like bridge that also acts as a stage, overlooking the soft Zoysa grass field below. The studio massing is solid for acoustic performance, while scattered skylights welcome ample natural light. “The studio serves as a nexus for activities on the property, with people passing in and out on their way down to the banana cultivation and a turtle pond … over to the yoga pavilion or up to the residence,” says John Hartmann, partner at Freecell Architecture.

The material palette is rather homogenous – dominated by concrete, limestone, and wood and hues of light grey, green and earth tones – echoing the rugged beauty of the surroundings.

The material palette is rather homogenous – dominated by concrete, limestone and wood, and hues of light grey, green and earth tones – echoing the rugged beauty of the surroundings. “We sought to simplify and clarify our intention, framing the jungle’s unadorned beauty so that it is the centrepiece,” notes Hartmann. Materials are also chosen for their durability and ability to patina over time. “Inspired by the works of Lina Bo Bardi and Decio Tozzi, we recognise concrete as a worthy adversary to the lushness of the jungle, a material capable of standing strong and enduring in the face of nature’s relentless embrace.”

Inside, the spaces are dark and cool, designed to offer sanctuary from the bright tropical sun. The colour palette is subdued, grounded in concrete, cream and light grey, punctuated by black accents. Pops of brown add warmth, derived from natural wood elements like doors, bedroom floors and custom millwork, while hints of green in the studio sound rooms subtly echo the lush landscape outside. Yet, there is seamless circulation and natural flow between the house and the landscape, so one always feels connected to the outdoors. “Its open-ended spaces and windows open to the wild and allow the surrounding environment to permeate into the project, play with our senses and shape our experience,” says Wolff. Embracing a sense of place in every aspect of its design, Pompey Estate reveals an entirely new way of merging home and work for creatives.

Architecture by Freecell Architecture & Gia Wolff Design. Interior Design by Sara Nataf and Katelyn Hinden. Build by Relmac Construction. Landscape Design by Geoponika. Acoustic Engineering by Acoustilog. Structural Engineering by MSR Engineers. MEP Engineering by EP Engineering.