thirty seconds at Casa J Chachalaka

A very quick look at Casa J as it nears completion. A modern, eco-smart house on the Costalegre of Mexico.

A love of beaches

I love a great beach. To name a few....  French Polynesia, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fijian lslands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Coast of East Africa, Lamu, Malindi, Seychelles, Praslin Island, Bird Island, Mauritius, North Africa, Essaouria, Cuba, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, South America, Chilean Coast, The gulf coast of Mexico, Holbox, Baja, Sea of Cortez and most of the Pacific Coast of Mexico. I think the magic of a beach is measured by a huge wow factor, and the solitude and purity of the experience.  A walk on the beach should be an escape from crowds of people and the daily grind.  

Almost seven years ago, I started looking for a beach to hang my hat.  For me it had to be sunny, it had to be an easy travel day from the West Coast of the U.S. I wanted to have plenty of time to watch the sun set on arrival day.  And, I was hoping for a virgin beach.  After re-looking at some familiar places, I was becoming disappointed.  Even the far away places that I had visited in past years were now discovered by the tourist crowds of the world.  By chance and a fortunate conversation, I discovered a place that I thought no longer existed.  A pristine, beautiful beach area that is undiscovered by tourism - yet accessible.  I now have a stake in this area, and I am bringing to bear all my years of collecting beach experiences in the many places that I have stayed, along with my design experience to create something very special called Chachalaka. A modern eco-smart place to live and play.      

rooms with a view

It is all about view at Casa J. The sighting of the house and the open design create a sense of one with house and it's surroundings. The views are stunning of ocean and beach. A house for oceanfront living in Mexico.

eco-smart is also about preserving.....

Designing a modern Eco-smart house in a beautiful pristine place also means working to protect this amazing place. Our beach is a turtle sanctuary. A place were sea turtles return to lay their eggs. We support the protection of sea turtles. Baby turtles being released into the sea at dusk.

architecture in paradise....

An amazing house in paradise. Casa J is uniquely simple in it's minimalist modern style. Dramatic, yet intimate. It is a house for todays modern concept of oceanfront living.

buying and building on the coast of Mexico

Almost seven years ago I made the then difficult drive to the Mayto area south of Puerto Vallarta. It was love at first sight and the beginning of an amazing project. I found a very special parcel of land fronting the Pacific Ocean, with multiple building sites and breathtaking views of the ocean and beach. I call the place Chachalaka after a native bird. Today, I am nearing completion of a modern, eco-smart house on this land. Many people have asked me how I did this and after seeing it, they certainly know why. The first and most important piece is securing the true title to the land, once you have negotiated a deal with the owner. Acquiring land in Mexico, in many areas, usually means you are dealing with Ejido land. This was the case for me, and it is a process that requires patience and a great deal of effort on the part of the seller, as well as the buyer. Basically you are taking land out of Mexico’s “homestead” system and “privatizing” it. It is a process most sellers and buyers know very little about, so there is potential for misinformation along the way. The “Ejido”, which is a legal governing body of a community, plays a large part in the transaction. The leadership of the Ejido authorizes the sale, signs documents releasing the land, and gets a commission. Needless to say, a good attorney who knows about this type of land is important to have on your team. I chose to be sure that I had legal ownership before starting anything. This took almost three years. Some jump right in without papers, something I would recommend against. The second, and fun part begins when you put in infrastructure to support development and start the design process. I might add, that most everything you do requires permits, and in some cases you deal with both local and Federal regulations. My vision is for multiple homes, however I am focused on one home at the moment. This is a modern, sustainable, eco-smart house that I designed for today’s lifestyle of modern coastal living. I also believe it supports a concept of minimum environmental impact on the land. I have a great team running the construction. I think it is important to really know your contractor. We spent six years getting acquainted. This has paid off. I am in an area that some would consider logistically difficult. And, that is why it so special, a place of pristine endless beaches. It is a perfect hideaway with smart design, architecture and beach, less than two hours from Puerto Vallarta.

minimalist and modern.... casa j at Chachalaka

Minimalist and modern, Casa J at Chachalaka is also Eco-smart. Someone said it's like "Wright and Barragan" met at the beach. I would agree. That was my intent when I designed the house.

eco smart and sustainable architecture in mexico.....

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.

smart oceanfront living on endless beach.....

My architectural mentors Schindler, Nuetra, Barragan, and Pawson influenced and informed the design of Casa J at Chachalaka. It is minimal and modern. A simple design that takes advantage of the site and location. It is also a green house, incorporating water, waste and energy concepts for todays ecological smart society.

The location of Casa J on a pristine unspoiled beach on the Costalegre of Mexico, provides a setting that has amazing views of beach and ocean, and the privacy of over five acres of land. "Wow" is what best describes Chachalaka and Casa J.

Casa J taking shape

The first house at Chachalaka is expected to be finished in the new year. Casa J is a very unique design and sits over looking the Pacific Ocean and an amazing beach. I am very excited to be at this point on this journey that started over five years ago.

remembering a trip to prague during holidays

It is always a favorite time of year with the beginning of the fall season. Thoughts about travel and holidays come to mind. Remembering a holiday trip to Prague, beautiful, but cold. For now the focus is on warmer climates and the winter sun of Mexico, and Casa J at Chachalaka on the Costalegre.

Casa J at Chachalaka

Walking on the rocks in the late afternoon... looking back at Casa J. The architecture is now evident and what an amazing location.

A design becoming reality

This was a milestone for Chachalaka and the first house, Casa J. We just finished pouring the upper level floor, terrace and the pool. This is a very unique design that will feel comfortable in this amazing setting on the Costalegre of Mexico.

Working with stone

Mexican craftsmen are creating this beautiful stone work for Casa J at Chachalaka. As you approach the house your first impression is of stone which blends into the landscape. The stone was sourced locally for it's color and consistency with the surroundings.

Bainbridge Island has much to discover!

A favorite place to hang out on Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle Washington, is Eagle Harbor. The inner harbor is ideal for canoe or kayak exploring. The island has much to see and my favorite reference is this beautiful and thoughtful blog - Back Roads of Bainbridge.

Realizing a design

After much planning and process, the design of the first house on the five acre ocean front land that I call Chachalaka, is starting to take shape. Chachalaka is the Pacific Coast of Mexico at its best.

Things are growing at Chachalaka

As construction progresses on Casa J at Chachalaka, the setting is becoming even more impressive. The ocean, beach and sky are always framed in the awesome views. I like this image of re-bar rising in the air waiting to be tied into forms, and the delicate winter flowers on one of the wonderful trees at Chachalaka.

Construction started at Chachalaka Mexico

A very unique house is now in construction at Chachalaka on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Casa J sits on a site overlooking the ocean, with sweeping vistas of pristine unspoiled beach. It is modern, blue/green, and the first house on this amazing private parcel of land.

Who's looking at who?

While China looks at us, we should be looking at China. A trip to China is an eye opener as to why they are a formidable competitor on a global scale. They are smart, creative, and above all, highly motivated. Their infrastructure is modern, state of the art. New airports, highways, rapid transit, and world class architecture. Many in western cultures are still thinking cold war economics. Time to change.

Which way to go?

This sign on a rural road in Eastern Washington State, USA seems to suggest in the photograph, two very different sides, left or right. Not unlike the politics in the US today. However, I like to just think of it as choices of where we choose to be. We have many.

Adventures in Bhutan

Bhutan offers some of the best trekking in the world. The snowman trek takes you through the highest passes and into the most remote regions. This photo clearly shows the ups and the downs of this pass at around 14,000 feet. We paused for a rest, and to let the Yaks pass.

Designing first house at Chachalaka

The basic design and footprint is established for the first house at Chachalaka on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The house will have sweeping views of the ocean and beach. The design is open and like a gallery with many openings to the vistas towards the south and west. Natures art.

Building with natural materials

A simple rustic palapa at Chachalaka made by hand from nature. There are different styles of palapa construction. The principle difference being the type of palm leaves that are used. This is the most basic for a structure that is to serve as interim shelter during construction of a home.

Beautiful Functional Art

A very talented friend, Jason Brown, creates amazing designs for home and table inspired by traditional artisans from around the world. Shown are a two very different table runners. Jason's art is part industrial design and part craftsmanship. You can see more at studiojasonbrown.com

Nature's design at Chachalaka Beach

Early morning light, sculpted sand, and a lone bird on the beach. The beach and land at Chachalaka on the Pacific Coast of Mexico provide a gallery of colors, textures and patterns.

Discover Tehuamixtle Mexico

Less than a two hour drive south of Puerto Vallarta, lies another world of endless beaches and coastline that is unique in flora, fauna, and terrain. The fishing village of "Tehua" as it is known by locals, is by many definitions paradise. A small condominium project of only four units may be starting sometime soon. This will be a unique opportunity to own in this special place.

Trekking the High Atlas in Morocco

Morocco has much to see and experience. Trekking in the High Atlas Mountains takes you to Berber villages and places that you can only reach by trail. After climbing into snow at 13,000 feet, you can unwind and relax on the coast or take a trip into the desert on a camel.

Seasons of change

Eastern Washington State in the U.S. is an ever changing palette of colors and textures as the seasons change.

Available...rooms with view

In a safe and peaceful little fishing village called Tehuamixtle, tucked into a protected cove, surrounded by cliffs, where locals still earn their living fishing and harvesting oysters, a small lodging will soon be built. For the right individual, it is possible to have a share of this. By many definitions, this is paradise. Far enough from the usual tourist trappings, yet close enough to the amenities of the modern world. tehuamexico

R.M. Schindler House in California

Rudolph Schindler worked for Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1920's. A project in Los Angeles, CA lead to his opening his own practice there with the design of what is known as "The Schindler House", a live-work space for two couples. I like the simplicity and the integration of interior and exterior space. Concepts that very much apply to my project in Mexico. This exellent book documents the house, and I believe it is out of print. See links for more information on this house.

Exploring Washington wine country

There is nothing like a very good bottle of wine. A well crafted fine wine, and the culinary art of fine food are one of life's pleasures. Consumable design. Wine country in Walla Walla Washington, USA, has excellent wineries that produce world class wines.

Designer cocktails on the edge

Sophisticated cocktails, amazing small plates, rustic chic, rolling hills, vineyards, wheat fields, at what seems like the edge of the world. Waitsburg Washington U.S.A. Exploring the wine country of Washington State, I discovered this most unlikely and surprising place. jimgermanbar

Better art than automobile

This old Citroen seems very much at home in the medina of Marrakesh. Most streets are no wider than a small automobile, making for interesting travel if you choose to drive. This car has somehow become part of the landscape.

Chachalaka on the pacific coast of Mexico

This video shows Chachalaka. It is a very special place and I am working towards designing a very Eco-friendly setting for a handful of small casas. Links to Chachalaka, Mayto, and the Tehua area are here.

Design studies for Mexico project

These studies are for my Chachalaka project on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. The three views show the entry of the buildings. The other sides are open to the vistas, ocean, and beach. Designs are terraced into the natural topography and will create a very low profile as you approach each site. One view shows what is a 'tunnel' through to the site below. Access to buildings is planned for electric vehicle only. Motor vehicles will be parked in a designated area near the road. There are wonderful trees and cactus that will lend to a feeling of intimacy and attract birds and butterflies.

Guanajuato inspires design and creativity

Guanajuato Mexico is a beautiful colonial city with a rich history. The Spanish created a vast tunnel system to extract large quantities of silver. At one time during the 18th century, Guanajuato was the largest source of silver in the world. Today it is a business and government center and home to a university. The colonial architecture, layout of the city and colors are unique. The tunnel system is now an underground road system for traffic resulting in few automobiles in the centro area.

Powering Mexico

For the moment, the vultures are the only ones utilizing this windmill. A relic from the past and a symbol perhaps of the state of alternative energy solutions in Mexico. I hope that in the near future it will be politically fashionable to promote solar and wind alternatives to supplying energy. Mexico has a lot of sun, and many areas have consistent wind. These technologies would be useful in developing areas and eliminate the need for expensive expansion of conventional power grids.

Bath design in a small area

This was a bath designed for an urban loft and utilized a small space. A skylight is above the tub/shower. The large mirror and custom wall hung vanity make the space seem larger. The toilet is closed off with a pocket door that has a frosted glass panel, allowing light. Double doors with frosted glass panels close the bath from the master bedroom. This was part of a complete renovation project.

A dedicated fisherman

This Egret was very dedicated to his place on the beach. Never mind the big waves. Every morning the Egret would be at the same spot, working the waves.

New Years at Chachalaka beach

Looking forward to a great new year. Design ideas are taking shape for Chachalaka project. It is a truly amazing beach.