Casa Catalina

The home is equipped with an alarm system.
The lighting in the house contains fixtures ranging from the high end store Namuh to the famous designer Herman Miller.
The door from the street opens into a lush front garden and faces a fountain that was hand-built of local river rock (laja). Bougainvillea, mandevilla and jasmine drape the interior courtyard walls, and the garden boasts lemon, orange and mandarin trees. The garden was designed by well respected landscape architect, Timoteo Wachter. Several steps up provide access to the main courtyard and swimming pool that is decorated with black Murano glass tiles. The pool has a salt water system and solar panels for heating, with a gas heater available if more heat is necessary.
A rainwater catchment system is in place, and an underground cistern collects water that irrigates the garden. There is a water-softening system and whole-house water purification/ pressurization system. Solar panels support the production of electricity for the home, and CFE bills are generally 60 pesos every two months. There is a solar system for hot water.
All four bedrooms have ensuite baths, and residents can choose either a ground-floor master bedroom with views of the pool, or a second-floor master with city views. Two of the bedrooms are currently used as studios and the addition of a wardrobe or closet easily converts these rooms into bedrooms. The second-floor terrace is equipped with a barbecue, refrigerator and sink, as well as a half-bath opening onto the covered terrace that can be used for entertaining. There are sweeping views of El Charco and the city from the second and third floor terraces. Each terrace has a gas fire pit. The living room and ground floor master bedrooms also have gas fireplaces.
Cabinetry and doors throughout the house are custom-made of walnut. The downstairs master bedroom has a very spacious walk-in closet.
Second and third floors are accessible by stairs as well as a glass elevator that offers views of the garden and the city.

The home’s original contemporary design concept was provided by renowned Mexico City architect, Pedro Alvarado. The orientation of the home captures southern exposure, providing warmth during the cooler months and on cool mornings throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area of the house (livingroom, dining area and kitchen) brighten the home all day long. Polished cement floors adorn these rooms. The ceilings are 11.4 ft in the kitchen and dining area and 22 ft in the living room. The master and first floor studio have 11.4 ft ceilings as well. Windows oriented to all four cardinal directions, as well as glass doors opening to an inner courtyard with swimming pool, provide ample airflow for comfortable living during summer months. Additionally, all west-facing rooms are equipped with mini-splits that function for either air-conditioning or heat. Window glass is laminated and double-paned, providing insulation from heat and noise, as well as an extra layer of security (also known as “safety glass”).