This house, located at Ambergris Caye, Belize, C.A., is designed to take full advantage of the view of the Caribbean sea and the distant barrier reef (the second longest in the world).

Since water wells are not possible and there is no public water, a 10,000 gallon cistern was constructed below the house to capture rainwater from the roof. The water is pumped through a water treatment system for domestic use. Natural ventilation is facilitated by large windows and doors opening to the sea and prevailing breezes. A cathedral ceiling, which runs the length of the house, and ceiling fans, facilitate air movement.

The design utilizes traditional island building techniques and materials, including: reinforced concrete building frame (footings, columns, beams, floor slab), concrete block wall in-fill with stucco finish on the exterior and interior, native wood for ceiling and trim, corrugated metal roofing and native ceramic floor tile. The playful exterior color recalls indigenous architecture.

This house was the featured project in the August 2011 newsletter of the Northern Virginia chapter of the American Institute of Architects. To view this article go to: http://www.aianova.org/BLAST/5-8.html

To view the house as featured in the blog of the Piedmont Virginian Magazine go to: http://blog.piedmontvirginian.com/2012/06/local-architects-work-featured-in-ambergris-caye-belize/