Notes from the site, the studio and the permit office.
What we learn building in the Riviera Maya — materials that survive the salt and the heat, what the paperwork actually asks for, and how projects really go.
How Long Does It Take to Build a House in Playa del Carmen? (Complete Construction Timeline Guide)
Learn how long it takes to build a house in Playa del Carmen, including design, permits, foundation, structural construction, plumbing, electrical, finishes, and…
· Read →Why Architects Love Designing Homes in the Riviera Maya — And What That Means for You
Descubre por qué los arquitectos prefieren diseñar en Playa del Carmen, Cancún y Tulum — y cómo eso te beneficia al construir una casa personalizada en la Riviera Maya.
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How to Build a House in Mexico as a Foreigner (Step-by-Step Guide)
Learn what permits are required to build a house in Mexico, including the Licencia de Construcción, zoning verification, architectural plans, engineering approvals,…
· Read →Hempcrete Construction in Mexico (Sustainable Building Material)
¿Funciona el hempcrete en México? Guía práctica sobre cómo usar este material sostenible en construcciones de concreto en Playa del Carmen, Cancún y Tulum.
· Read →Is hempcrete considered environmentally better than standard concrete?
Hempcrete vs concrete on the environment: hemp is carbonnegative while growing, but concrete's durability and hurricane performance still winout.
· Read →Are there earth-home or alternative-building specialists worth knowing about?
Alternative building specialists worth knowing: Tierra Viva, theCal-Earth Institute, Earthbag Building, The Mud Home and Build With Rise.
· Read →Could sargassum bricks actually solve two problems at once?
Sargassum bricks' benefits are real but narrow: they cut beachwaste and insulate, yet stay non-structural and unproven at residential scale.
· Read →What exactly is a sargassum brick, and how are they made?
A sargassum brick blends dried Caribbean seaweed with lime, clayor cement binder, pressed into molds and cured into lightweight building blocks.
· Read →Is hempcrete structural, or is it just insulation?
Hempcrete isn't structural. It's an insulating infill that pairs with aconcrete, steel or wood frame, which still carries every load in the house.
· Read →What is hempcrete, and is it actually used here yet?
Hempcrete is a bio-composite of hemp hurd, lime and water. It'sstill new to Mexican residential construction, but architects are watching closely.
· Read →Do thermal windows actually lower my air conditioning bill?
Thermal windows lower AC bills by cutting heat gain, and theywork best paired with shaded terraces, roof overhangs and cross-ventilation design.
· Read →Why do dramatic window shapes and glass walls cost so much less here than in colderclimates?
The cost of custom window shapes drops in concrete construction:no wood-framing limits, no cold-climate glazing premium, and lower local labor.
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