PROJECTS_
Next for 2021_or whenever COVID allows_
Mountain refuge/shelter.
Rayuska_Cordillera Huayhuash. Perú.
​
-to house 2 persons.
-self-contain utilities & waste.
-built at 5,100mts above sea level by hand tools.
-only accessible by steep climb or by burro load
(only 6 burros).
The Six Burro Andes Shelter_
Dwellings_
Casa Rancas_RumiHuasi. 2006-ongoing. Rancas , cordillera Huayhuash, provincia de Lima, Perú.
At over 3,800 mts. over sea level flanked by nevado Huachshash –the lonely one. (quechua translation), part of the cordillera Huayhuash, casa Rancas is located inside the old range of the Rancas Hacienda a 1,700 acre land, nowadays broken up by the agrarian reform of the late 1960s and subdivided between an amalgam of heirs. The ongoing project is to convert Rancas into a natural private reserve and trust. Casa Rancas is only accessible by foot, horseback, or burro. All materials were carried, and are continuously to be carry on our backs, or on the backs of our trusty burros. The closest dirt road is 5 km away on a steep incline crossing the Pumaringi river. Lima is a 12 hour drive away. Almost haft of this trek is on dirt roads.
Casa Rancas water is supplied from the Huachshash's glaciers and electric needs are supply by solar panels...kid and dog are not included.
Construción_1era parte_2006. Casa de piedra. Stone construction 1st stage_
Construción_2nd parte_2007. Techado 1era etapa. roofing 1st stage_
Pachamanca rancasina_ Pachamanca_Quechua-the earth as oven.
Casa Pukara. 1994. Cordillera del Karso, Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Built for Prof. Dr. Walter Quinteros & Prof. Dra. Myrta Melendez.
Pukara translates from the quechua into –Fortress. Casa Pukara is located in a 28 acre private forest inside the El Karso range in the northern coast of Puerto Rico, The name alludes to the limestone system composed of deep steep labyrinth like canyons, making Pukara an actual natural fortress like retreat. The dwelling was designed as a weekend retreat and scape from the busy city and academic life.
The steep topography and the dense forest of the site block cellular signal and most low-band radio. Access is only possible by extreme 4x4 vehicle. The weather is similar to a low laying rain forest. The closest pave road access is one mile away through steep and dense forest.
An open plan embraces the limestone promontory anchoring the all-wood construction to the side of the steep mountain. The dwelling is a self-sufficient system. Electricity was cut off during the early 80s when the last rural dwellings in this part of Puerto Rico abandoned coffee and citric cultivation –grapefruit, creole oranges & sweet lemons, migrating to the city for factory jobs. An old light post remains as a marker of time, long ago cut off from the electric grid by the forest. There is a saying –‘el Caribe come…’ the Caribbean eats away… it describes the abundant fertility of the Caribbean forest and the harsh natural environment, left uncheck the forest will quickly regain all lands.
Rainwater is collected adapting the old coffee washing cement tubs into water cisterns. Electricity is minimally provided by solar panels. The intention of the client was to scape modern life and convenience. Kinques , old fashion oil lanterns provide most of the illumination. It is a place for story telling, star gazing and listening to the rainfall.
In September 2017 the entire mountain range was devastated by double hurricanes a week apart, Irma and later Maria razed the entire forest. Not a single tree remained untouched. All trees were torn off in haft.
Casa Pukara survived only losing the zinc roofing. The open plan allowed the wind to cross the structure without much resistance, but all interior furniture was dispersed throughout the canyon. The major problem that remains is the hundreds of trees blocking the off-road jeep trail.
Casa Pukara. 2017, after hurracaine Maria.
Casa Roshari. 1993. Cordillera del Karso, Ciales, Puerto Rico.
Was designed as an artist’s mountain hideaway. It is located inside the small valley created by the confluence of two steep limestone canyons in the Karso range. An open two-sided structure assembled of two wooden cabins joined by an open deck and covered kitchen area. The structure is divided into artist studio–open kitchen–& artist quarters.
The difficult steep topography and remoteness of the site allowed for an open plan. Walls were only required to break the wind and rain. No locks were ever installed.
The structure’s view shows the side of the studio from the perspective of the smaller cabin, the artist residence.
Dwellings at sea_Sailboats_self-sufficient closed-systems on an open ever-changing beautiful but harsh and at times violent environment.
New project_2021_1982. 50' custom ketch interior+ engine rebuild.
Jeanneau 38. 1986_ rescued after a month underwater. Sunk by hurracaine George 1998. It took 3 moths to relaunch and 3 years to complete the restoration.
Gulf Star 40. 1984_ lost to hurricane Irma & Maria, during restoration. 2017.
Beneteau First 32. 1985_ with us since 2019. Ongoing project.
Crew_2012_ongoing project.
