Casa Zapote

CASA ZAPOTE - Zapote (sah-poh-teh) : Sacred Mayan tree in which the jungle spirits manifest.

The house evokes a volume that perfectly matches with the regional materials, that gives a chance to distinguish the different sort of used materials such a calk, lime stone and chukum. Filled with very well naturally light spaces, allowing contact with nature and with amenities that make Casa Zapote an ideal project to enjoy such a place like the Caribbean.

The project is created over three design guidelines, SPATIAL QUALITY, SUSTIANABILITY and RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

SPATIAL QUALITY

The space quality of the house is based in a principle of generating spaces filled with natural light, transparency and contact with natura. The double height located in the common area of the house generates a connection with the family room, located upstairs which makes this house a great place to enjoy with friends and family.

SUSTAINABILITY

The project is deeply committed with saving natural resources, which has come to a statement. The use of renewable energies outstands with the use of solar power in order to minimize the electrical consumption and also for water heating. Another sustainable feature is the recycling of gray and soap waters, which later will be treated and used as toilet water and for gardening purposes.

RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Several trees from distinct endemic species, that are part of the regional conservation catalogue have been rescued and relocated in a form of a small private reserve within the house´s gardens.

SPACES

Casa Zapote has been thought of as an ideal project to have a deep contact with natura regardless been located in a gated and planned community.

Natural light has been treated as a fundamental component of the house´s experience. Providing a double height space, surrounded by gardened areas and provided with natural lighting and ventilation.

The house has very well sized social areas. The dining and living room space with a permanent view to the natural that surrounds the house, at the same time the family room generates a great link between both ground floor and first floor amenities.
The pool area has been thought of in order to have gatherings, since it has a bbq area, own services, as well as cooking, dining, sunbathing and of course a swimming area.

MATERIALS

Materiality in the house is linked to the use of sober, elegant and regional materials. The main façade evokes the local constructions of ancient times, due to the use of “mayan” stone the call for a Pre-Hispanic foundation, in the same importance the superior part and most of the house is covered with NanoCal, a new innovative product that takes on the historical techniques of the use of naturally tainted calk as a fine finish such a it was used in haciendas and churches across the Yucatan peninsula.

Another example of the use of regional materials is expressed with Chukum in determined areas of the house such as bathrooms and the pool, its soft texture and distinctive color outstands the use of prime materials and the artisan labor of the region.

The local wood is used for the carpentry makes the use of this finishes more sustainable and at the same time assuring the durability of the wood in such a particular climate as the Caribbean kind.