SUSTAINABILITY AT ALMA
All our Signature Properties incorporate state-of-the-art solutions, making them not only exceptionally pleasant places to live but also environmentally respectful and climate-responsive.
We are fully aware that building has a significant impact — on the environment, on the community, and on the landscape.
That is why we are deeply committed to understanding, measuring, controlling, minimizing and compensating the impact of ALMA, while creating value for both present and future generations.
BEST SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
International Property Awards
ALMA received the award of the "Best Sustainable Residential Development in Mexico" from the renowned International Property Awards jury in November 2025, and was awarded the "Best Sustainable Residential Development in the Americas" short after. This award will be received in London in January 2026.
From Canada all the way to Argentina, ALMA stood out among remarkable developments thanks to its environmental proactivity and its commitment to measuring, controlling, minimizing, and compensating its environmental impact.
Our submission—over 100 pages detailing our sustainability initiatives—highlighted how ALMA is being planned, designed, and built in the most sustainable way possible.
FROM THE VERY DESIGN
As much as ALMA is about creating beautiful spaces, it is also about being good stewards of the land that hosts it.
All our properties are adapted to your needs and to the climate.
Through a series of initiatives and commitments, ALMA aims at promoting a respectful and sustainable development.
1. NATURAL COOLING & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
NATURAL COOLING VENTILATION
GREEN ROOFS
XL COVERED TERRACES
- Cross and stack ventilation design in all units reduces the intensive need for A/C.
- Swimming pools placed in front of properties help cool incoming air.
- Reduce the temperature of upper floors by up to 4–7 ºC, cutting A/C needs.
- Provide valuable habitat for pollinators.
- Reduce the visual impact of buildings.
- Contribute to natural cooling, brightness, and comfortable outdoor living.
- Minimize the impact of rain and wind.
2. WATER & NATURAL RESOURCES FOOTPRINT REDUCTION
RESIDUAL WATER TREATMENT
- 100% of the residence’s greywater is treated on-site for irrigation.
- A 172,000-liter cistern stores treated water for irrigation.
SMART USE OF POOLS
- Private pools are partially shaded to reduce evaporation.
- All pools are equipped with overflow tanks to minimize water waste.
LOW DENSITY
- Fewer units mean reduced water demand and energy consumption.
DRIP IRRIGATION
- An automated drip system dispensing treated water drastically reduces potable water consumption.
PERMEABLE STREET MATERIALS
- All streets are built with permeable materials to improve soil infiltration and absorption.
POTABLE WATER CISTERN
- A 300,000-liter potable water cistern stores water supplied by the municipality.
- This buffer provides 4–7 days of autonomy and supports more efficient water distribution in the city.
ENDEMIC SPECIES
- Use of endemic plants throughout the property, as they are the least water-demanding.
LAND PRESERVATION
- Over one-third of the land is preserved in natural conditions, enhancing rain infiltration, biodiversity, and soil health.
USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES
- Solar energy powers all amenities, common areas, and the water treatment plant.
3. CARE FOR BIODIVERSITY
ENDEMIC SPECIES PROTECTION
- Native and endemic plant selection and protection supports local wildlife corridors.
ON-SITE TREE NURSERY
- A dedicated on-site nursery was built and its team relocates smaller specimens and propagates native trees during construction.
- Over 600 trees have been transplanted so far.
GREEN ROOFS
- Green roofs support biodiversity, creating habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
NATIVE SOIL PRESERVATION
- Increasing untouched greenery minimizes impact on the site’s original condition.
- Over one-third of the lot is fully preserved.
RESTORATION OF ECOSYSTEMS
- 8.3 hectares of reforestation and ecosystem restoration have been completed in the nearby National Park — around four times the area affected by construction.
4. CHOICE OF BUILDING MATERIALS
MATERIAL ORIGIN
- The vast majority of building materials are sourced locally or nationally (except glass and pool tiles). Preference is given to suppliers with sustainable practices.
MATERIAL DURABILITY
- Core materials include glass, steel, wood, and stone — chosen for long-term durability and reduced replacement needs.
SITE MATERIAL REUSE
- 100% of stones excavated on site are stored and reused in construction.
- Timber-yielding trees are used for worker facilities; other species are offered to local restaurants for fire cooking.
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY
- Properties come with energy-efficient appliances, backed by local after-sales service and nationwide spare parts availability.
LOW-MAINTENANCE MATERIALS
- From the design stage, priority is given to materials requiring minimal maintenance (aside from standard anti-corrosion care proper to oceanfront locations).
ON-SITE FABRICATION
- Retaining wall blocks are manufactured on site.
- Wooden beams are laminated nearby to minimize transportation impact.
5. CONSTRUCTION SITE AND PRACTICES
CLEAN CONSTRUCTION SITE
- A strict clean-site policy ensures waste is collected, sorted, and disposed of responsibly on and around the site.
- A team within the construction company is dedicated to the cleanliness.
CONSTRUCTION WATER TREATMENT
- The water treatment plant was operational from the beginning of construction, enabling irrigation with treated water early on.
- Excavations and site preparations also use treated water.
FAUNA & FLORA CARE
- Construction teams are trained by biologists to handle fauna encounters responsibly and to protect flora.
- A tree nursery supports temporary relocation and propagation of species.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Equal opportunities are guaranteed for all workers, without discrimination.
- All workers are registered with national social security and receive ongoing professional training.
- All workers are provided with proper security attire.
WORKERS FREE LODGING
- Free on-site lodging is offered to workers from neighboring states and communities to reduce their commuting times and expenses.
6. VISUAL LANDSCAPE IMPACT
LOW DENSITY
- Only 13 properties per hectare (vs. 23 permitted), the community blends into its surroundings instead of dominating them.
LOW HEIGHT
- Maximum building height capped at 11 meters (vs. 16 permitted), keeping below the treeline and invisible from the nearby National Park beaches.
TOPOGRAPHY INTEGRATION
- Following the land’s natural topography minimizes excavation and ensures the residence blends into the landscape.
TRANSPARENT DESIGN
- The use of glass windows on 3 sides contributes to the transparency of the design.
GREEN VEGETAL ROOFS
- Green roofs improve visual integration as seen from the ocean and ensure views over greenery instead of tiled roofs from within the community.
HORIZONTAL ARCHITECTURE
- A horizontal rather than vertical layout enhances landscape integration and visual harmony.
7. FOR THE FUTURE
WELL-BEING FOCUS
AWARENESS RAISING
ETHICAL PARTNERING
- Architecture is the art we live in, with the power to transform daily life.
- Thoughtful design and health-focused amenities support genuine well-being.
- Awareness is promoted among workers and clients.
- Optional sustainability packages will allow owners to further reduce their environmental footprint even further.
- Partnerships with ethical companies for the construction, the sales, the design, etc.
- Partnering with local NGOs support reforestation, culture, and education.
WASTE SORTING
- All residential and community waste will be separated for proper treatment under municipal guidelines.
CERTIFICATION
- Targeting EarthCheck Design and Building certification.
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
On top of our own initiatives, we are preparing innovative sustainability packages for all our owners to have the option to further reduce their environmental footprint.
From water to energy, every owner will have the opportunity to lower their impact to nearly zero — ensuring that their children and grandchildren can enjoy the same Huatulco they first fell in love with.
To preserve a beautiful tomorrow, the time to act is now.
REFORESTATION
A MANDATORY AND NECESSARY ACTIVITY
The Mexican Federal Environmental Department requires developers to reforest an area twice the size of their lot, even though only a portion of it will be used for construction.
With this in mind, Esencia Desarrollos partnered with a local organization to go beyond the required area, and restoring the entire ecosystem within one of Huatulco’s National Parks near the Copalita River.
A few years ago, a forest fire destroyed several hectares in this area. A call for reforestation was issued last year for an 8.3-hectare site, which Esencia has now fully reforested in collaboration with the amazing organization Los Macuiles de Copalita.
SUSTAINABLE VISION & COMMITMENT
Being located next to a National Park is fantastic for future residents because it forever guarantees the preservation, the tranquility, the views, and the valuation of their property.
But for a developer, it comes with great responsibilities.
Certifying the project for its design and construction is neither mandatory nor required. Instead, it is a commitment we make to ourselves, our clients, and the community of Huatulco.
We are currently working through the certification process and hope to be design and building certified by EarthCheck in 2026 — a milestone that would make ALMA the first EarthCheck-certified residence in Latin America.