Residential · BCS
Water House
2025 · En preparación
San José del Cabo · México
Your home,
in balance
Sustainable architecture · Natural materials · Los Cabos, BCS
ArchitectureConstructionRemodelling
PhilosophyYour spaces
Your spaces
come to life
Architecture and nature have been connected since their origins. We create spaces that dialogue with their surroundings — each project born in harmony with the landscape of Baja California.
We combine traditional construction techniques — compacted earth, bamboo, local stone — with contemporary solutions that result in homes that are efficient, beautiful, and entirely their own.
Mission
Principles behind every project
01
Design with identity
Every project is born from a deep understanding of the client, the land, and its surroundings. There are no repeated formulas.
02
Efficient architecture
We prioritize natural materials, bioclimatic techniques, and processes that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing quality.
03
Complete guidance
We guide every client from concept to construction with clear timelines and a fixed budget. No surprises — ever.
Materials
Built from the land
01
Tierra apisonada
Tapial
Ver material →
02
Bambú estructural
Nativo
Ver material →
03
Piedra local
BCS
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04
Madera de palo de arco
Endémica
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05
Chukum
Acabado tradicional
Ver material →
06
Cal y paja
Yeso natural
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07
Adobe compactado
Brick
Ver material →
About
María Manuel Ponte
Architect · Founder
Trained at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, with an exchange at the University of Cagliari, Italy — focused on traditional earthen construction techniques.
My master's thesis — "Earthen Architecture: The Influence of Design on the Durability of Structures" — shaped a lifelong commitment to materials proven by centuries of use.
I worked on school construction with earth and bamboo in Guatemala, integrated contemporary solutions with natural building in Oaxaca, and travelled Latin America studying vernacular architecture before settling in Baja California Sur.
Today I design homes that speak the language of this landscape — using rammed earth, local stone, bamboo, and chukum to create spaces that are quiet, enduring, and entirely their own.
9+
Projects
3
Countries
100%
Fixed price
7
Materials
Portfolio
View all Projects that inspire
Off-grid · BCS
White Lodge
2018 · Construido
Residential · BCS
Punta Perfecta
2024 · Proyecto ejecutivo
Coastal · BCS
Punta Conejo
2024 · Proyecto ejecutivo
Earthen · BCS
Leone House
2020 · En construcción
Sustainable · BCS
Puerto Raíz
2018 · Construido
Meditation · Spain
Sanditthika Center
2025 · Diseño conceptual
Remodel · BCS
Lynne Remodel
2024 · Fase 1 construida
Conservation · BCS
Pilot Project BCS
2025 · En desarrollo
How we work
Our process
Efficiency and detail at every stage. You know exactly where we stand and what it costs from day one.
1
Consultation
We meet to understand your land, your budget, and how you want to live. Free of charge, no commitment required.
Free meeting · 60 min2
Design
With a clear understanding of your site, we develop the complete project: plans, materials, 3D visualisations, and a detailed budget.
Plans + 3D + Budget3
Execution
You sign a fixed-price contract with milestone-based payments. We supervise every stage to deliver exactly what we designed.
Fixed price · Milestone paymentsJournal
All posts Ideas on architecture
Sustainable Design
August 2026
Why earthen architecture still makes sense in 2026
Compacted earth walls regulate temperature, absorb moisture, and outlast conventional concrete — at a fraction of the embodied carbon. Here's what two decades of research and a thesis in Coimbra taught us about building with the land itself.
Read moreBaja California
July 2026
Designing off-grid in Los Cabos: White Lodge case study
Solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and passive cooling aren't luxury features — they're necessities when your site is 40 km from the nearest grid connection. A look at the decisions that shaped White Lodge from the first site visit.
Read moreProcess
June 2026
Fixed price in architecture: how it actually works
Most clients come to us having been burned by open-ended contracts. We explain exactly how we structure our pricing, what's included, and how milestone payments protect both parties throughout the build.
Read moreContactReady to
Ready to
begin?
Book a free, no-obligation call. We'll look at your project together and I'll explain exactly how I can help.
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