The importance of design
Developing an apartment complex, a house, or any type of real estate construction project involves obtaining a geotechnical report of the property, site cleaning, excavation, grading and compaction. Sometimes, depending on the property, it may also involve rock demolition, landfill leveling, earth moving, excavating, land drainage and tree removal (& repurposing wherever possible).
At ZAR, we care for the environment, and it shows. We believe that the incorporation of an exquisite and beautiful design should have a positive impact on the surrounding landscape, not only as a landmark, but also by creating and implementing a functional design which has the lowest possible impact on the surrounding environment. We take all of these things into consideration in planning each project. We understand the needs of our customers and fulfill these design implementations according to the suitability, practicality, and expressive requirements of both the area, as well as the human requirements of its occupants.
When ZAR was created in 1984, we were absolutely positive that we wanted to practice “Power” architecture by utilizing the resources of the community and the land. Sustainability is at the core of our concept. We advocate the use of sustainable energy when and wherever possible, and between the perfect weather and the orientation of our structures, it allows us to develop open spaces which are meticulously integrated into the landscape, so there is a constant fresh air flow in our homes.
We chose Zihuatanejo, not only because it had everything it needed to become an internationally recognized world class destination, but also because of it’s amazing cultural and historic identity, and the magnificent images of the city. An image that the locals were always so proud of, and still somehow worried that developers from out of town would come in and destroy the unique atmosphere of the town. Commercialize it, if you will.
We take these extremely important things into consideration when planning a new development:
Climate and Topography
The Use of Local Resources and Materials
Local Craftsmanship
This is the best localized climate in the Pacific, and it allows us to play with open spaces while taking advantage of what it really means to live by the sea; inhaling the wonderful mineral filled air, and bathing in the sunlight. Listening to the waves washing ashore, or crashing into the rocks is like no other sound in the world; soothing and divine. The use of local resources does not apply only to the rocks or regional wood, but to the use of the available landscape, such as cliffs and changes of ground level. We Insert the construction directly into the landscape, and utilize as much of it in our design as possible, rather than reshaping the landscape to fit the design. The materials used in the construction of our houses include Adobe, which is spectacular at heat moderation, and Brazilian wood, which is a regional tree. It’s orange-red heartwood is used for making bows for stringed instruments, which is the outstanding quality we achieve in the construction of each and every luxurious home we produce. Gray stone cliffs are used as sloped walls, river pebbles, rods and reeds are some of the additional materials used to create a most unique, inspiring atmosphere of comfort, quality, and beauty within nature. ZAR only works with local craftsmen builders, because Zihuatanejo is one of the only places where they know how to make papelitos palapa roofs, with such high quality and that in and of itself has brought our homes international recognition.