An interview with the creators of ALMA,
Frédéric Baron and Noémie Bourdin-Habert—
In this interview, we continue the conversation with Frédéric Baron and Noémie Bourdin-Habert, the developers behind ALMA, an architectural project in Huatulco that blends design, sustainability, and community. They share what sustainability really means behind the scenes—beyond labels, and beyond marketing.
Where does the sustainability commitment behind ALMA come from?
Noémie: Sustainability is deeply rooted in the genesis of ALMA and closely tied to my own professional background. I spent much of my career working in renewable energy and environmental solutions, so seeking out responsible and ecological approaches has always felt quite natural to me.
I moved from France to China at 23 and began working in the photovoltaic sector. Over the following twelve years, across China, Europe, and California, I met many innovators developing sustainable solutions with real impact.
What fascinates me is how unknown or underestimated many of these solutions still are when it comes to reducing the environmental footprint of both construction and the daily operation of a home. Bringing these cutting-edge innovations to a place like Huatulco feels both meaningful and necessary.
Why choose Huatulco to create and develop ALMA?
Frédéric: Before deciding to live in Mexico, we spent eighteen months traveling extensively throughout Asia. Time and again, we encountered places that were saturated, polluted, or developed without restraint.
We’ve felt despair on beaches covered in plastic, frustration in resorts built in tropical climates with no consideration for shade or natural airflow. We’ve witnessed deforestation for palm oil, untreated sewage flowing into pristine rivers, and absurd contradictions like indoor skiing in the desert. All of this pushed us to look for a place with a genuinely sustainable DNA — not just on paper, but reflected in daily decisions.
When we discovered Huatulco in 2020, along with the long-term federal vision behind its development beginning in the 1980s, it felt different. In many ways, Huatulco was ahead of its time.
And while continued investment in innovation will be necessary for Huatulco to maintain its commitments, we genuinely want to be part of this positive movement.
With so many developments claiming to be sustainable, how do you recognize sustainability in real estate?
Noémie: I spent fifteen years as an international director working in both marketing and sustainability — two fields that, unfortunately, still often share the same budget because sustainability is too frequently treated as part of the storytelling.
In reality, sustainability is much more than that. It is about “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It requires understanding, measuring, reducing, mitigating, and compensating for all of our impact. Solar panels or certifications can help, but they mean very little if a project relies heavily on air conditioning, wastes natural resources, or completely erases native biodiversity.
Some of the most impactful initiatives implemented at ALMA:
1. Low density: ALMA includes 47 properties where FONATUR permits 83, building at just over half the allowed density. This is the most meaningful sustainability decision a developer can make, as it directly impacts profitability.
2. Material reuse: All stone excavated on site is reused for walls and landscaping, avoiding quarry extraction and significantly reducing construction impact.
3. Water management: ALMA built a 300,000-liter potable water cistern, providing greater flexibility for municipal distribution, and treats 100% of the residences’ wastewater on site — even during construction. Treated water is fully reused for irrigation and green roofs. ALMA is the first private residential project in Huatulco to refrain from sending wastewater to the municipal sewage system, and the only one to use treated water for all irrigation, reducing its overall water footprint by 35–40%.
4. Bioclimatic design: Homes are naturally cooled to minimize air-conditioning use — the primary source of energy consumption in high-end residences. Green roofs reduce temperatures by up to 4°C (7°F), wide overhangs provide cooling shade, and cross-ventilation enhances natural airflow. Inverter fan-and-coil air-conditioning systems further reduce energy use by at least 30%.
Many other initiatives coexist as well — from waste management to sustainable material and supplier selection — and we’re always happy to share details.
Does sustainability make a real difference for your clients?
Frédéric: Absolutely. Sustainability translates into very tangible benefits for ALMA residents.
Forever-preserved views: Strict low density and height limits ensure long-term views and tranquility while green roofs of the lower properties benefit higher-line property owners by blending seamlessly into the landscape.
Lower utility costs: Natural cooling strategies and water reuse drastically reduce electricity and water consumption.
Enhanced privacy: Low density and abundant vegetation to ensure greater privacy.
Biodiversity at home: Native vegetation and green roofs attract birds, butterflies, and squirrels year-round.
Resilient value: Well-designed, climate-adapted properties tend to appreciate more over time, much like well-insulated homes in colder regions outperform poorly insulated ones.
Is there a cost to sustainability, and are buyers ready to pay for it?
Noémie: Yes — the cost is actually significant. Green roofs versus conventional roofs, low density versus high density, full water treatment versus standard sewage systems — all of this represents a substantial investment. In reality, sustainability is still often seen by many clients as simply the cherry on the cake.
Now, I can already hear you wonder: “So why do it?”. Actually, for the same reason you choose a reusable bottle over plastic, sort your waste, or bring your own grocery bag—it’s simply the right thing to do.
For our clients. For our legacy. For future generations. For biodiversity, landscapes, resources, and the quality of life that makes Huatulco so special.
ALMA aims to make architecture and sustainability inseparable. It is no coincidence that the project was recently awarded Best Sustainable Project in Mexico, and named Best Sustainable Project in the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, at the International Property Awards — one of the most respected distinctions in the industry.
All of us here found something extraordinary in Huatulco. We believe preserving it is a shared responsibility.
For more information: http://www.alma-huatulco.com
If you’ve missed the first chapter on ALMA, its architecture and finishes, you can scan and catch up here : https://theeyehuatulco.com/2025/11/30/inside-alma-craftsmanship-sustainability-and-signature-design/