Casa Anahuac

Casa Anahuac is the first project to achieve Platinum level under LEED for Homes certification in Latin America and the first residential project certified LEED Zero Energy outside the United States. While the construction appears to be traditional, the structure is made of steel elements and the exterior walls are concrete blocks; allowing for a low-maintenance, enduring home, that allows flexibility for future needs.

This project considers every sustainable characteristic in the book: envelope specifically designed for the location with continuous insulation all around the home, double-glaze windows and skylights, energy efficient appliances, 100% LED lights, above 50% water savings through low-flow water fixtures, capture and reuse of rainwater (storage up to 10,000 lt.), greywater treatment and reuse (treatment up to 64,750 lt per year), draught tolerant landscape and a smart programmable irrigation system with humidity sensors; HVAC system with continuous air renovation, MERV filters, and occupancy sensor for the exhaust in restrooms; all top with a south-facing roof filled with a solar thermal for domestic hot water and 69 photovoltaic panels that generate up to 4,500 KWh bimonthly.

Additionally, the project goes beyond conventional construction practices in the area because of its process: a detailed deconstruction of the original house was performed to reuse, donate, or sell as many materials as possible (with a final account of 89% materials diverted), insulation of piping and sealing of joints was carefully executed, recurring educational sessions were imparted for all workers to preserve best practices and the integration of WaterSense fixtures and Energy Star appliances. The result is an all-around sustainable, technological, and healthy home.

After this experience the general contractor includes best management practices under its normal construction process, since the benefit was tangible and the “extra effort” almost imperceptible. This type of project will help to change the construction housing market in the zone by providing an example of information and education for other contractors while ensuring measurable results and benefits for the final user through comfort and operation cost reduction.