Las Catalinas Design Philosophy & Guiding Principles
At Las Catalinas, architectural essence stands alone, drawing inspiration from global perspectives. Unlike the buildings of an Italian hill town that may reflect a similar topography, structures are crafted for a tropical climate, reflecting a profound appreciation for outdoor living. While we harvest insights from a diverse collection of wisdom and tradition, the result is a uniquely tailored identity that sets town apart.
Our design journey at Las Catalinas has been enriched by profound lessons from Central America and Mexico, particularly in the realm of finishes, materials, and the use of techniques that harmonize with the climate and locale. Notable inspirations hail from captivating destinations like Antigua, Guatemala, Casco Viejo, Panama, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In the realm of resort living, Las Catalinas shares common threads with such distinguished destinations as Aspen, Colorado, Carmel, California; and the Caribbean gem, St. Barths. However, we diverge from the convention, as town functions as a true town, a collection of inns, shops, and activities, instead of dominance by a single hotel or club. Influencing our approach to community living, the New Urbanism Movement in the United States has rekindled the spirit of crafting walkable neighborhoods. Notable sources like Glenwood Park in Atlanta and the coastal havens of Seaside and Rosemary Beach in Florida have played a pivotal role in shaping the Las Catalinas vision.
These guiding principles serve as the visionary compass for our design team, bringing life to the beauty of this unparalleled town.
Simple Architecture
The urbanism and topography of Las Catalinas will be rich and intricate, so the architecture for most of the buildings should be simple and consistent
Importance of Views
Views are precious and must be thoughtfully preserved and enhanced.
Built to Last
Everything at Las Catalinas, except for some temporary buildings or light market structures shall be built to last for centuries.
Appropriate for Climate
Building designs should be responsive to our climate and able to deal well with both periods of intense rain and intense sun.
Ample Use of Overhangs
Overhangs, covered balconies, and porches are appropriate for water protection and architectural share.
Outdoor Living
Outdoor living is highly desirable in our climate, and our residents should provide ample outdoor living spaces. Given the power of the sun and the intensities of rain, most of this outdoor living space should be under a roof.
Natural Ventilation
Buildings should be designed so that most of the rooms will function comfortably with natural ventilation and do not require. Air conditioning is allowed, but we do not want it to be necessary.
Sustainable Practices
Wood and other materials used in construction will be from sustainable sources. Buildings should be designed to be energy efficient. Water use must be very efficient.
Many Fronts
In many cases, all sides of a building and even the roofs of a building will be visually important and will need to be beautiful, not just the front.
Authenticity
Everything about Las Catalinas will be authentic. No structure or material will pose as anything other than itself.
Practicality
There is always beauty in what is truly practical.
Physically, town is a beautiful place composed of houses, shops, restaurants, small hotels and inns, pedestrian streets, plazas, parks, and recreational facilities being built and arranged in a series of wonderful, walkable public spaces interwoven with the natural environment. While Las Catalinas draws on successful precedents wherever possible, it is also an invention. Las Catalinas is built for enjoyment—not for reasons that might have given rise to Old World hill-towns, such as defense. In crafting our buildings, we diverge from conventional design, creating structures tailored for the tropical climate. Here, a yearning for outdoor living shapes our architectural ethos. While we draw inspiration from a rich pool of wisdom and tradition, each edifice in Las Catalinas stands as a testament to our commitment to exceptional design.