North View from the Beach House

Views are wide ranging out to the Pacific Ocean and up and down the coast.  More information, including schematic plans and elevations of the home, can be found on our Mexico Beach House blog post.

The builder is Israel Magna Rodriquez of In-Progsa.  Construction materials for a beach house are quite different from a mountain style home.  The typical cedar siding over wood frame construction in the mountains would quickly rot in a high humid location.  The best materials to use in high humidity climates such as coastal Mexico and Nicaragua are less perishable ones like concrete and native hardwoods.  This home will be concrete with some hardwood trim and finish work.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain and waterfront architects

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Main Level and Rooftop Level

This will truly be an indoor/outdoor home.  Most of the home is actually outdoors, with enclosed indoor areas having air-conditioning. The kitchen (cocina) is outdoors, covered by a waterproof deck above, with a large outdoor bar for those still wet from the swimming pool.  The guest bathroom is shared with the pool area, with an organically formed outdoor shower.  The upper level consists of the master suite and several rooftop gardens.  Awnings, hammocks and lounge chairs will be provided.  The owners will supply the daiquiris, margaritas and Coronas.

The landscaping will consist of an infinity-edged swimming pool hovering over the Pacific Ocean, along with terraced patios, pergolas, another outdoor kitchen, gardens, planters, palm trees, and more hammocks.  As my grandfather used to say, “This is real living!”

Mexico Beach House - Pacific Beachfront Elevation

Mexico Beach House - Courtyard Elevation

I was excited to design a beach house in Mexico when I was approached by the owners, who live in Idaho.  I grew up in California, where I was exposed to several styles of architecture, from the beach to the mountains.  I also learned about Mexican history and culture in school.  At Texas Tech one of the architects I studied was Luis Barragan, who was one of the most influential Mexican architects of the 20th century (he was also a very prominent landscape architect).  I’ve also been fortunate enough to be able to design some Mission and Tuscan style homes in California.

Every project is different, and it’s just a matter of bringing out the owner’s own tastes to fruition.  Some of the elements are borrowed from the local indigenous architecture that evolved over centuries to make the most of the shade and breezes.  The owners wanted a more organic flow for this home though, more so than what it traditionally in the area.  There are some aspects of mountain architecture, such as the gnarled wood columns and timbered ceilings.  The owners also supplied me with several books and printouts of their favorite elements.  Some books they really liked that I found very helpful were:

• Casas en la Costa Mexicana and Casas el la Costa 2, both of the Lifestyles Nature & Architecture series by Fernando de Haro & Omar Fuentes
• Casa Mexicana Style by Annie Kelly, with some great photographs by Tim Street-Porter
• Houses by the Sea: Mexico’s Pacific Coast by Mauricio Martinez

My wife tells me she wants to retire somewhere by the beach.  I halfway joke that if I can get enough beach houses in my portfolio I can still work when I’m “retired”.

Drawings are attached with permission from the homeowners.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain and beach architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

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The home has a cupola over the Great Room which will bring in additional light.  Large cedar decks will have great views of  the lake, as well as the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains, and a private beach below.  Natural stone will cover the concrete piers which buttress the decks.

Water View of Lakefront Home under Construction

For finished photos of this home, please see Lakefront Cabin on our Project Page.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect

Hendricks Architecture, Mountain Architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

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An architect designed custom front entry.

It is well recognized in the Real Estate community that homes designed by Architects have a value up to 50% higher than similarly sized and located homes that come from builder/ designers, draftsmen, or catalog plans. This number is much higher when compared to production homes. Since Architect fees are typically anywhere from 5% -15% of construction costs (depending on the level of service provided), any value added to a project that exceeds this fee is a direct benefit to the homeowner. An important point to remember is that value is not necessarily measured only in dollars. Value is also realized though long term enjoyment of a home with improved functionality that is designed to meet your specific needs.

If you look closely in any city or town, usually the oldest (and often the nicest) homes are almost exclusively Architect designs. The perceived value of a well designed home makes it worthy of continued maintenance and preservation, and the careful thought Architects put into their home designs tends to greatly increase their longevity. While many Builders are conscientious and build homes to last, they often choose materials & methods that make building easier and less costly, especially when they are building homes speculatively. Architects typically design homes to maximize owner value through better aesthetics, quality, livability, and longevity while trying to minimizing long term life cycle cost.

Most people can pick out a home that was designed by a good Architect, and a quick comparative study would confirm that well designed homes command significantly higher resale values. It is important to note that an Architect designed home doesn’t necessarily cost more to build. In addition, careful site consideration, efficient space planning, thoughtful construction details, energy efficiency, and creative, well informed material selections can add value that will far exceed that of a comparable builder grade home.

Aesthetic value is difficult to quantify, but most home buyers would agree that if they could afford it, they would pay more for the visual and spatial qualities an Architect can add. Homes designed by Architects also tend to be less susceptible to market fluctuations, which makes them a reliable real estate investment. Similar to other designer products, homes by well known and especially talented Architects have an “association value” that increases the price people are willing to pay for them.

An architect designed waterfront home

Depending on where you live, there may be city, county, and state regulatory agencies that govern any building project. The process of securing approval and permitting for construction projects can be daunting, and having an Architect who is familiar with the requirements can save you valuable time, money, and help streamline the process. It is not uncommon in areas with lax building regulation for homes to be built that don’t meet code requirements, that exceed setback limits, or that are occasionally even over property lines.  Architects are required by law to design buildings that comply with all applicable building, zoning, and accessibility codes, giving you the assurance that your home meets the requirements of accepted life safety and land use standards.

An Architect can help you get the best value for your construction dollar. One of the most important decisions in the homebuilding process is locating and orienting the building on the site to optimize views, solar exposure, excavation costs, and aesthetic appeal. The long term energy savings realized by a well sited home with windows properly sized and located can be substantial. Architects stay current on the latest construction materials and technologies, and can select materials and systems that enhance your home without breaking the budget.

Quality custom home builders agree that an Architect’s careful planning, accurate drawings/ specifications and availability to answer questions while the home is being built speeds up construction time and helps avoid costly delays. This ultimately saves the homeowner money and assures they end up with a better final product. A well thought out home design can save the homeowner a lot of money by avoiding change orders, mistakes, and time wasted on the jobsite solving unforeseen conflicts. Value added during construction can also include less stress for the homeowners, more free time to devote to your family or career, and the assurance that crucial safety measures are being addressed.

Most Architects have a carefully selected group of builders they recommend, builders who have a proven record of quality work delivered on time at a fair price. An Architect can help you select a reputable builder who understands your goals and expectations. As an advocate for you, an Architect will assist you in negotiating with the builder during the contracting process, and ensure that you have a fair contract that protects your interests.  While your home is being built the Architect can help you determine if proposed changes are fairly priced, review and approve contractor pay requests, make regular visits to the site to monitor progress, and make sure it is built according to the plans & specifications.

Though some clients choose to not involve the Architect during the construction phase to save money, they fail to realize the value of having an important advocate and advisor working for them to insure that the final product meets their expectations and is delivered at a fair price. Construction projects can be challenging, and while an Architect may not be able to eliminate all of the issues involved, they can streamline the process to minimize headaches and additional costs for the homeowner.

The design aesthetic is perhaps the most obvious area where an Architect adds value to your home. A good design always creates enduring value in excess of cost, and a bad design is often painfully obvious and will be regretted far longer than the savings are enjoyed. An Architect will help you create a visually appealing home with character and style that is designed specifically for you, not an imaginary generic buyer.

It is not difficult to understand how your appreciation of a well designed home will be equally valued by a discriminating buyer in the future. Ultimately, the resale value of your home is going to be increased when an Architect is utilized to add tasteful design, improved functionality, thoughtful detailing, and quality construction that will last for generations.

John Hendricks, AIA Architect, NCARB

Tom Russell, Project Manager, LEED AP

Hendricks Architecture, Architects in Sandpoint, Idaho

A Log Accent Mountain Home, one of many different types of  Mountain Home Architecture.