Architecture and Real Estate

A Compilation of Concepts and Trends

Architecture and real estate are two areas that are intertwined. Architecture plays an important role in the real estate industry. Today, people are looking for properties that are more suited to the way they live. Places to enjoy that allow you to express the most of who you are. Buildings that are more sustainable and have features that allow them to save resources and energy. E

Architecture is not only visual, it is everything that gives you air, noises and temperatures. It is the design of experiences and sensations.

Imagine this: “To access the dome, the visitor has to cross a mystical river in the jungle and walk on water. The entrance acts as a vortex, a curved tunnel with an unknown destination. The walk to the entrance requires a sense of balance and agility.” – Text taken from Ikk Lab’s gallery explanation on Archdaily.

Architecture is not only visual, it’s everything that gives you air, it’s noises and temperatures. It is the design of experiences and sensations. Experiences, sensations, sounds, temperature, all this makes a development or building unforgettable. It is finding an architectural language that works well in the area.

The new luxury in architecture: Barefoot luxury: In an unhurried environment, surrounded by tropical vegetation and priceless privacy, it is a must to experience the beauty of simplicity.

To seek a spatial experience rather than a material luxury, a return to the origin, to the essential, a change in the life of the users, a lifestyle in community, an adaptation with the exterior and the vegetation of the context.

It is about respecting and adapting to the natural context, respecting 50% of the vegetation on the site.

What aspects of architecture should be considered when buying real estate?

When buying real estate, there are several aspects of architecture to consider. These include:

– The requirements that people need for its use.

– The design to ensure the visual appeal of the property.

– The structures and urban features to ensure that the area fits the requirements of the city.

– The ecological design to ensure quality and long-term performance.

– Construction processes to ensure safety and quality of materials.

– Urban trends to ensure that the project adapts to changes.

– The quality of services to ensure the well-being of users.

In addition, the training and management skills of an architect are essential to carry out a good real estate project.

What are the trends in architecture and real estate in Mexico’s tourist areas?

Trends in architecture and real estate in Mexico’s tourist areas refer to the real estate and architectural development projects that are being built in these areas to meet the needs of tourists. These projects aim to create spaces that are functional, attractive and comfortable for visitors while adapting to the local environment to maintain a balance between nature and existing infrastructure. This has been achieved through innovative designs that fit the needs of residents and tourists, such as vacation homes, luxury apartments, office buildings and cabins, as well as the creation of green areas such as parks and gardens.

The designs are also adapted to optimize the experience of visitors, as in the case of the 4-bedroom homes with a generating pool, garden with terrace and kitchen island. These innovative architectural and real estate proposals in Mexico’s tourist areas are transforming the way these destinations are enjoyed, giving visitors a unique and unforgettable experience.

Condominium Buildings on the Sea

Currently, one of the most popular trends in architecture and real estate in Mexico’s tourist areas is the use of space, particularly in oceanfront condominiums and apartments. This means asthetic, functional designs with maximum space optimization, ocean views, double units, balconies overlooking the street and lock off units that can be individually closed for privacy and flexibility. We are also seeing an increase in the number of studio buildings that can be used as an investment for vacation rentals, such as the case of the Tankah 52 beachfront studios in Tankah Bay, which investors see as an investment vehicle because it gives high returns when rented as a hotel suite, because in addition to the unparalleled ocean views, it has excellent amenities such as a pool with a self service bar and a roof top with 360* views of the sea and the jungle. These trends are reflected in the strong demand for luxury properties in Mexico.

Homes with Terraces

In tourist areas of Mexico, trends in architecture and real estate must be aligned to meet the growing demand of tourists. In the Riviera Maya for example, an important feature of the apartments is to have a balcony or terrace, where the user can enjoy a good coffee and their visits in the cool of the night.

Also with the arrival of digital nomads, coworking spaces as an amenity or a space inside the residence where they can do “home office” is a must.

Homes in the area are also becoming more spacious with 296 m² of land and 238 m² of construction, with 4 bedrooms, a study or office, a TV room, a pool, an island kitchen with granite bar, a covered garage, an upper terrace and inverter air conditioners in the bedrooms. There is also a great demand for condominiums with amenities to satisfy the different tastes of tourists, a construction company that offers the highest quality finishes in its properties.

Timelessness in Architecture: permanence, identity, and materials.

Contemporary designs in architecture and real estate in tourist areas of Mexico are intimately related to the attachment to the place, this notion can be considered as part of the very essence of the place.

Timelessness in architecture is a quality that allows us to appreciate the beauty and validity of a work.

Permanence

When people manage to establish an affective bond with a certain place, they tend to feel comfortable and safe, and they tend to identify and remain in that place over time. The term timeless, will be the title for an architecture that seeks perenniality, focusing on the constructive qualities, which remains in force even if there is a social change. It seeks to occupy a stronger place in today’s progressively changing world.

Territorial identity

Design persistently requires working with the environment to achieve its objective. This is to enhance the cultural identity of the territory in question. This is to have an intimate relationship with the environment where the user experience is to live through all their senses the essence of the destination.

Natural materials that age with dignity.

Architecture made of durable natural materials. use natural materials whose aging is easy to foresee. Stones, woods, metals, leather, natural fiber fabrics, age with dignity. Other materials such as paint and synthetics look beautiful only when they are new, but over the years, they make the building look old and neglected.

The Materials of the Region

Materials in balance with nature expressing a natural feel and a remembrance of the local materials of the region.

• Tropical hardwoods: Tzalam, zapote, jabín, katalox, parota, etc.
• Bejuco
• Concrete, to create fluid and organic elements.
• Stone, tropical woods and cement polished with chukum resin.
• Polished chukum in walls and floors, tzalam wood in carpentry, Mayan stone. Chukum, typical of the region, is used for its waterproofing properties and minimizes cracking. Its versatility allows it to be used both in interiors and exteriors and together with wood and stone finishes.
• Bahareque
• Stone: Crema Maya, Marble, Mayan limestone,
• Bamboo is a leading material in sustainable construction due to its characteristics, since it has a fast growth and harvest cycle. Its structural efficiency and flexibility make it a material with great potential.
• Polished concrete floors and walls

Architectural influences in Tulum

Proposals that bet on rest and contact with nature as the main premise.

Wabi-sabi: philosophical trend that appreciates the imperfections of nature as well as the traces of time. With natural materials, many textures and handcrafted pieces, unique spaces are achieved. It flees from “perfect” environments and irregular shapes are imposed, the materials are shown as they are, showing themselves in the most authentic way.

Hidú style: rugs, fabrics, use of the feminine figure, animals, ornamentation.

Moroccan style: decorative details, niches, walls, lattices.

Mexican Style: haciendas, central patios, strong colors, palapas, resins, rustic woods.

Organic Architecture: incredible challenging forms of engineering that mimic the shapes of nature, like living organism molding itself with concrete and bamboo, an example of organic architecture is Azulik or the structure of the Luum temple in Luum Zama designed by Colab.

Bohemian architecture: Geometric and wide spaces in which the grey of the cement, the green of the plants and the checkerboard of the floor predominate. Example Aviv House.

Retro Tropical Modern: Warmth and purity and freshness.

Construction systems

based on traditional techniques and materials of the region

Basic construction elements:

columns, roofs, straight or curved walls, soffits, beams, domes.

Architectural elements

• Terraces
• Pergolas
• Light filtered by vegetation
• The palapa
• Lattice

Nature as a focal point of architecture in Tulum

The openness of the spaces, with trees that cross the volumes, windows that unify the interior and exterior, allowing the coexistence of all the areas in close relationship.

Amenities that remain in trend

Meditation areas: perfect for reflection and contemplation in everyday life.

water mirrors

Private Jacuzzi or plunge pool

private gardens

Roof tops

temazcal

Sustainability

This means sustainable real estate developments, quality ecological designs and a complete urban vision. These designs are ideal to increase the value of the property. It seeks to generate a positive change from homes.

Also called eco-architecture, or sustainable architecture, or green architecture: It aims to take advantage of natural resources in a way that minimizes environmental impact, playing a vital role in the perseverance and care of the environment.

Alternative technologies:

Two types: Passive and active technologies.

Passive: Principles of bioclimatic and vernacular architecture according to the area in which they are located. In the case of the Riviera Maya, elevated floors, orientation according to the sun and winds to avoid the greenhouse effect, cross ventilation, thermal insulation, high ceilings or openings in the roofs for circulation of hot air as a chimney effect,

Active: Water treatment, rainwater harvesting and reuse, solar panels,

Top 10 sustainable building certifications in Mexico

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
PCES (Program for the Certification of Sustainable Buildings)
WELL Building Standard
EarthCheck
EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies)
Living Building Challenge
NZEB (Net Zero Energy Building)
BREEAM
Parksmart
Passivhaus

Buildings with Green Areas

Buildings with green areas of different types are currently being constructed in tourist areas of Mexico, among which the following stand out:

Sustainable buildings:

These buildings are characterized by using renewable energies, water recycling and other natural resources to reduce the ecological impact.

– Green buildings: These buildings are characterized by including green areas and gardens within the construction, which contributes to improve air quality and oxygen levels.

– Intelligent buildings: These buildings have technological elements that allow the control of lights, locks, air conditioners, among others, making them more energy efficient.

– Domotic buildings: These buildings have advanced home technologies that allow the control of security systems, lighting, air conditioning, among others.

– Buildings with public spaces: These buildings include green areas and spaces for community use, which improves the quality of life of residents.

Architecture in warm places. How to generate spaces to be enjoyed:

Orientation

Protection from the sun

Direct sun radiation should be avoided as much as possible, which can be done through vegetation, trellises, parasols, overhanging eaves, generating shadows and spaces to rest and carry out activities.

Cross Ventilation

In warm environments, specifically in the location of the Riviera Maya, the ideal is to choose that the window openings are located on the north and east axis. This is to be exposed to breezes to promote ventilation, reduce humidity and cool the areas. Movable panels, low walls, or lattice type elements so that the air flows without barriers.

Colors:

The lighter the better, as it reflects solar radiation. Tropical tones range from wood to wood and white colors. Avoid very dark colors such as black as they are ideal to attract mosquitoes and absorb much more heat.

Vernacular Architecture

Vernacular architecture refers to the use of regional materials and construction systems to create architectural structures, which are adapted to the local context. This form of architecture has re-emerged as a trend for the design of spaces in recent years, as it is a sustainable form of design, which reduces environmental impact.

Vernacular architecture trends are based on the reuse of materials, simplicity of construction and the use of bioclimatic designs, which allow a structure to adapt to its surroundings. In addition, use is made of renewable energies such as solar energy to power the property.

Privacy

Privacy in architecture is, in short, the aspect that a space has to guarantee people’s intimacy.

Acoustic privacy: Not being disturbed by noise and/or being able to create your own noise without disturbing others.

Visual privacy: Not being in view of others and/or being free from visual distractions.

Territorial privacy: Owning a space and controlling it as if it were one’s own (olfactory privacy is a subset).

Interior design

Generating authentic character within the property Bold mix of textures and decorative elements.

Linen curtains, books, candles

Architects as real estate developers.

Architects have begun to transition into real estate development, which involves an emancipatory trend to reclaim their rightful position in the industry. This transition requires additional business skills to compete with experienced developers, but there are a number of benefits and advantages architects have in becoming real estate developers.

First, architects have a broad overview of cities, which is essential for identifying and developing the best urban settlement project. They are also trained to know the population density and the requirements that people need. Because they have direct contact with contractors, subcontractors, laborers and construction houses, architects have the experience and knowledge necessary to develop high-impact projects and large real estate developments.

The future of real estate

What is the future of real estate?

Although the world seems to have come to a temporary halt, the future of real estate may still be uncertain. However, experience tells us that it is changing to adapt to a new environment. Technology plays an important role in changing the real estate industry. Today, people are looking for properties that are more sustainable and with features that allow them to save resources and energy. In the future, buildings will be built to be flexible, connected to the internet, with some home automation and with all the requirements for more sustainability. On the other hand, there is a lot of investment in housing projects built for rental purposes, also known as “Built To Rent”. This will help increase property appreciation and meet the needs of homeowners. On the other hand, the design of real estate will become more relevant in the future, as people will look for properties with unique and modern features. As the real estate industry develops and evolves, proper training for real estate professionals, as well as new financial skills and negotiation strategies, will be essential. The future of real estate is being shaped and real estate developments are becoming more sustainable, modern and profitable.

What is architecture and real estate?

Architecture and real estate are two areas that are intertwined. Architecture involves the creation of buildings and structures intended for human use, while real estate refers to the land and tangible assets that surround those buildings. Real estate refers to those materials that are impossible to move or relocate, such as a work of civil, military, domestic architecture or a house, a building, a bridge or a street.

Architects have a deep knowledge of cities and their environment, making them ideal to become developers of real estate projects. In addition, architects know the population density, people’s requirements and more issues that help them develop a construction project.

Real estate can be mortgaged, but you have to be very careful with the company you are negotiating with and be responsible, since in case of default or deceit on the part of another person, you can lose the property. It is also possible to register the real estate in a registry to give more security to the owner. Real estate is subject to taxes such as real estate tax, tax on the increase in value of urban land, income tax and marriage tax.

In conclusion, architecture and real estate are two intertwined areas that involve the creation of structures intended for human use, as well as the land and tangible property around them. Architects are ideally suited to become developers of real estate projects because of their knowledge of population density and people’s requirements. In addition, there are real estate-related taxes to consider.