By Al Feinstein

An Architect in Playa

My wife, Biljana, and I visited Playa Del Carmen three years ago on a vacation. It was instant delight and love. Now, we pondered, how could we create our lifestyle in Playa? Difficult question for us because our roots seem to be firmly planted and this is what we decide to do.........

As a practicing Architect with my own firm in Colorado Springs, Colorado, I was determined to come up with a way of having a place to live in Playa as well as a way to provide architectural design services to the local and surrounding communities. I felt that I could help add some talent to further the growth of the area by creating ideas and results that would increase the esthetic and practical qualities of the place in which I wanted to become a part. So I made my plan

Learning that the people of Playa, and the area, are friendly, warm and open, I began to introduce myself to anyone who would listen (I believe in the three foot rule - anyone within 3 feet is a prospective client). I delivered my office brochure to people I thought could use my talent and services. Happily, I received some responses.

I, as an Architect, am not new to tropical design. Over the past 23 years, I have had the pleasure of designing projects in Belize, Honduras, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Key West and St. Lucia, in the Caribbean - all a far cry from my work in Colorado. But, this diversity of projects allows me to open up my mind to a multitude of possibilities in design. It is for this reason that my designs can be appropriate as well as unique.

One of the many things I have learned about how things are done in Playa has to do with what Americans would prefer in their own buildings in Playa. Some of the standards of building in Mexico are different that what Americans would expect. Therefore, I determined that by adding these standards to the Mexican approach to design would provide a broader spectrum of access to development and expansion. It is with this in mind, that I create building designs that not only fit their particular use, but are compatible with the local feeling, materials and methods of construction.

As Playa Del Carmen grows, as it must and will, I see a need for just such services in Playa Del Carmen. And, with computers and e-mail, correspondence is made easy. I travel with a lap top computer myself. Further, I have developed a relationship with a local engineer who helps me with the particulars of the local requirements. Thus, I believe I can help make Playa Del Carmen even more interesting and inviting than it presently is.

We are creating that lifestyle in Playa that was only a dream 3 years ago. We now own a condo in Playacar and will begin living in it part time beginning next year.

Al Feinstein is presently designing residences in Playacar, Phase I, for the PlayaMexHomes Company, based in Playa Del Carmen. One can be viewed on the internet at www.PlayaMexHomes.com. Al can be reached at 719-598-1385 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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