Responding to the pressures of Mexico’s seasonal conditions, stormwater is collected in the wet season. It is stored and purified for drinking and use throughout the rest of the year. Greywater is also recycled for flushing toilets, gardening, cleaning, and for the benefit of local wildlife struggling in the drought season. Storage is split between two containers: the potable reservoir sits beneath the central courtyard, whilst a maintenance reservoir sits further from the house. Their combined capacity reaches 280 sq m of water.

The residence is, context in itself’. Natural stone clads the concrete structure, camouflaging the house into the craggy backdrop beyond, so that only the monolithic white box of the upstairs studio – and a blossom of vibrant bougainvilleas marking the site boundary – announce the presence of this modern, tranquil home amidst the area’s wooded landscaped terraces, formed over five hundred years ago by native Tepoztecos

The house also features a narrow, elevated swimming pool. Water is collected on site in three large containers (the pool, a maintenance reservoir and a potable water tank) to ensure there is no waste and to allow year-round irrigation