Building a house is always a challange. Building one in a rural area of Mexico is an experience. Casa J at Chachalaka is a modern house and a green house. Locally sourced materials are used and in particular the stone is from the area. The design makes use of thermal mass and natural air convection. The brick in Mexico is made of natural material with out additives, i.e. it is soft brick. Concrete is of course used and reinforced with re-bar. All surfaces are stuccoed. A traditional and sustainable way of building. Floors are polished concrete finished or tiles made of over 75% recycled material. Rain water is captured and stored. Grey water is filtered and used. Black water and waste is processed in a biodigester. Hot water is thermal solar heated, and solar panels generate more than enough power, and tie back to the electrical grid. These are new ideas for a modern designer house located on the ocean in a rural area. In addition the impact on the land is minimal and access and transport on the property will be by electric vehicle. The property we call Chachalaka is a park like setting, abundant with fora and fauna. Fronting on a pristine beach that seems to go forever, we want to keep things special and as they are. Casa J is the first of perhaps a total of four homes that will eventually occupy the property.
