Tag: builders

Designing a Sustainable Custom Home in Santa Fe: Why Palo Santo Designs May Be Ideal For You

Posted on by JeanneAdmin
A modern, single-story house with large windows and a flat roof sits on a grassy hillside, with trees in the background.
Palo Santo Monte Serena project

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, where high desert skies meet historic adobe and Pueblo-Revival architecture, building a custom home isn’t just about square footage—it’s about culture, character, and climate. At Palo Santo Designs, we design and build homes with a deep understanding of sustainability, high performance, and local traditions. As an award-winning design-build firm that combines architectural creativity with sustainable building practices, we’ve become the go-to partner for homeowners who want beauty, comfort, and long-term value.

Here’s what you should know about sustainable custom homes in Santa Fe, how we deliver them, and why working with us could be the smartest move for your project.

Why Sustainable, High-Performance Homes Are More than a Trend in Santa Fe

Santa Fe’s beautiful but challenging climate demands thoughtful design. The high altitude, wide temperature swings between day and night, intense sun, occasional snow, dry air, and limited water resources mean that traditional methods alone aren’t enough. Homes built without attention to energy and water efficiency struggle with comfort, utility bills, and durability.

Key sustainable features we incorporate include:

  • Passive solar design: orienting the home to capture winter sun for heating and shade in summer.
  • Thermal mass materials (like interior adobe or mass walls) that absorb heat during the day and release it at night.
  • High-performance insulation, air sealing, and efficient windows to reduce heat loss.
  • Renewable energy sources (e.g. solar photovoltaics) to reduce or eliminate dependence on electric grid power.
  • Water conservation through rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, and drought-tolerant landscaping.

These features improve comfort, reduce ongoing costs, increase resale value, and contribute to environmental stewardship.

Who We Are

Palo Santo Designs is a Santa Fe-based architecture and construction firm with deep roots in sustainable design and custom home building. We have been designing and building custom sustainable homes for over 25 years. Our expertise and experience in sustainable design is unparalleled in Santa Fe.

Here are some of the credentials and practices that set us apart:

  • We are licensed in both architecture and general construction (GB-98 General Contractor).
  • Several of our staff are LEED Accredited Professionals and have extensive experience with certification.
  • We design and build homes that aim for zero or very low energy usage, water efficiency, and overall environmental responsibility.
  • Our work has repeatedly won awards for craftsmanship, sustainable building, and design excellence.
  • Over 25 years of hands on local experience.

Our Services & Process

When you choose Palo Santo Designs, you’re not just hiring an architect or a builder—you’re getting a seamless design-build experience. Here’s what our process typically includes:

  1. Initial consultation & visioning
    We begin by understanding your goals: aesthetics, lifestyle, budget, and sustainability priorities. Whether your vision is modern, contemporary, or more aligned with Pueblo or Territorial architecture, we’ll help bring it into focus.
  2. Site evaluation & planning
    We carefully analyze slope, shade, wind, solar exposure, and views to orient your home for passive solar gain, natural shading, and efficient layout.
  3. Design & architectural drawings
    Our in-house architecture team produces designs that merge beauty with technical performance, including sustainable materials, efficient systems, and attention to indoor air quality.
  4. Permitting & engineering
    We know the local codes, design guidelines, and HOA rules—and our experience keeps your project on track.
  5. Construction & high-performance systems
    As both designers and builders, we maintain continuity from design intent through construction, installing the best high-efficiency systems to meet performance goals.
  6. Post-occupancy support
    We stand by our work and ensure your home performs as promised—delivering comfort, efficiency, and durability.

Case Study: LEED Platinum Custom Home

One of our favorite projects is a Pueblo Revival-style home in Santa Fe’s Museum Hill neighborhood that achieved LEED Platinum certification.

Highlights include:

  • Roof-mounted solar panels generating most of the home’s energy needs.
  • All-electric systems, including radiant in-floor heating and cooling via an air-to-water heat pump.
  • Rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse for both irrigation and indoor toilet flushing.
  • High insulation levels and adobe thermal mass, paired with energy recovery ventilation for fresh air.

This home demonstrates how beauty, comfort, and sustainability can come together seamlessly.

A modern adobe-style house with flat roofs, tan stucco walls, and a covered front porch, surrounded by dry landscaping and desert plants under a blue sky.
Palo Santo Museum Hill Adobe Project
Covered patio with wooden furniture, a fireplace, and potted plants, overlooking a garden with trees and a stone wall under a sunny sky.
Palo Santo Museum Hill Adobe Project

How We Help You Stay on Budget & On Schedule

We know one of the biggest concerns in custom building is cost and timing. Here’s how we address it:

  • Transparent cost validation during design, so you always understand trade-offs.
  • In-house architecture + construction, which minimizes miscommunication.
  • Hands-on project management by our principals, who know Santa Fe’s unique requirements.
  • Award-winning craftsmanship, ensuring lasting quality.

What to Consider Before Hiring Any Design-Build Firm

If you’re beginning this journey, ask firms questions like:

  • What sustainability certifications have you achieved?
  • Do you handle both design and construction?
  • Can you show similar past projects?
  • How do you manage cost estimates and changes?
  • What features do you recommend for Santa Fe’s climate?
  • How do you ensure long-term performance?

These questions will help you find the right partner—one whose values align with yours.

Why Choose Us

If you value high design, long-term comfort, energy savings, and environmental responsibility, we offer the complete package: licensed architects, certified green building experts, and a proven track record.

When you work with us, you’ll get:

  • A home tailored to you and to the site, views, and climate.
  • Lower operating costs over time.
  • Finishes and details that reflect Santa Fe’s unique character.
  • A smoother, clearer process with fewer surprises.

Next Steps

Here’s how to get started with us:

  1. Reach out for a free consultation.
  2. Gather your site info (or let us help with your land search).
  3. Discuss design priorities and sustainability goals.
  4. Set a budget and performance targets with our guidance.
  5. Review our proposal and project scope.
  6. Build your dream home—with our team guiding the process from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

Santa Fe is a place where history, beauty, light, and climate converge—and a custom home here should reflect that. Our mission at Palo Santo Designs is to design and build homes that not only look beautiful but feel right, perform well, and last for generations.

If you’re ready to explore what your sustainable custom home could be—with care for community, climate, and craft—we’d love to bring your vision to life.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation. Let’s talk about what sustainability means for your life, your budget, and your dreams—and start designing a home that reflects your values, not just square feet.

Modern house entrance with concrete pathway, desert landscaping, a small Buddha statue, and a view of green hills and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Palo Santo Hilltop Contemporary project

Studios at Parkway Phase 1 Completed

Posted on by Beatriz Reyna

Introduction

Palo Santo’s flagship operation, the Studios at Parkway, Phase 1 is complete. This new commercial development is situated in Santa Fe’s burgeoning Siler Rufina District, a hotspot for arts and industry that is housed in one of Santa Fe, New Mexico’s Opportunity zone. All units in Phase 1 have been sold or are currently being leased.

Location Highlights:

  • Proximity to Key Attractions: The location is within walking distance from popular sites like Meow Wolf and the Rufina Taproom.
  • Business Park Adjacency: It’s right next to the bustling Richards Avenue Business Park, featuring over 100 small businesses.
  • Scenic Views: Although located in a commercial-industrial area, the development offers views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
  • Outdoor Amenities: The project is adjacent to city open spaces and trails along the old Acequia Madre.
  • Housed in one of Santa Fe, New Mexico’s Opportunity Zone

Phase 1 Details

Phase 1 is completed

  • 15 commercial condominiums, 1600 sf each
  • Contemporary, open floor plan move in ready
  • Ideal for small business owners and investors
  • Opportunity zone tax credits: Want to learn more? Check out our Instagram post (@PaloSantoDesignsLLC) with some key information about Opportunity Zone tax credits https://www.instagram.com/p/C8x1grCvI18/ and read about Opportunity Zone directly from the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/opportunity-zones
  • Priced competitively at $525,000, these units offer attractive Opportunity Zone tax credits.
  • All Units have been sold or leased in Phase 1

Phase 2 Plans

  • Phase 2, scheduled to break ground in Fall 2024, will add 14 more units with completion slated for Spring 2026.
  • Completion scheduled for spring 2026
  • Presales are currently underway, reserve your unit now. For more information on leasing, reach out to Leslie Giorgetti at [email protected].

Siler Rufina District: A Business Haven

The Siler Rufina District is vibrant and unique, home to an array of locally-owned small to medium-sized businesses. The area is peppered with restaurants, coffee shops, offices, light industrial workspaces, and warehouses. Studios at Parkway are Santa Fe’s newest commercial, industrial, flex-use development with units available for sale or lease in one of Santa Fe’s most prized Federal Opportunity Zones.  Studios at Parkway is located in a designated Federal Opportunity Zone has numerous investment and tax incentives for both the ownership of real estate and for business owners. 

The development is well positioned at 1189 Parkway Drive, directly adjacent to the thriving Richards Avenue Business Park which has over 85 successful and prosperous local businesses.  Studios at Parkway is within a short walking distance from the internationally acclaimed Meow Wolf, an immersive art and music venue that, along with playhouses, galleries and local restaurants and breweries such as the Rufina Taproom, Kakawa Chocolate House and Leaf and Hive makes these Studios an ideal business location.  Additionally, many residents are moving to the area with the development of the luxury apartments, Markana de Santa Fe, and the artist rental housing development at Siler Yards. 

  • Limited Leasing: While there are still some lease opportunities in the district, Studios at Parkway is one of the very few offering for sale.

Developer’s Vision: Palo Santo Designs

These new, Studios at Parkway are designed and built by Santa Fe’s award-winning Architecture and Construction firm, Palo Santo Designs. This firm has over 20 years experience in design and construction of unique commercial spaces and one of a kind custom homes. This development will feature a distinctive architectural design, quality construction and energy efficient building principles. Studios at Parkway will offer businesses a new meaningful and fresh environment to thrive in Santa Fe.

  • Ownership Opportunities: The Studios are intentionally designed to provide ownership opportunities for local small businesses.
  • Size and Price: With an approximate gross floor area of 1600 square feet and a pricing model targeted at owner-occupied businesses, the Studios at Parkway are poised to be a significant addition to Santa Fe’s business community.

For any inquiries or interest, do not hesitate to reach out to Leslie Giorgetti at [email protected] get purchase or lease yours today.


CONTACT US | OUR SERVICES

Coming Soon:  Completion of Phase 1 of the Studios at Parkway

Posted on by PaloSantoAdmin

Introduction

Palo Santo’s flagship operation, the Studios at Parkway, is presently under construction and set to be completed by January 2024. This new commercial development is situated in Santa Fe’s burgeoning Siler Rufina District, a hotspot for arts and industry.

Location Highlights:

  • Proximity to Key Attractions: The location is within walking distance from popular sites like Meow Wolf and the Rufina Taproom.
  • Business Park Adjacency: It’s right next to the bustling Richards Avenue Business Park, featuring over 100 small businesses.
  • Scenic Views: Although located in a commercial-industrial area, the development offers views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
  • Outdoor Amenities: The project is adjacent to city open spaces and trails along the old Acequia Madre.

Phase 1 Details

Phase 1 of this ambitious project is nearing its completion, and it will feature 15 new commercial condominiums designed in a boutique-industrial style.

Key Points for Phase 1:

  • Status of Units: All 15 units are currently under contract, pending sale upon completion.
  • Lease Opportunities: There are still leasing opportunities available for small businesses interested in this location.
  • Contact for Lease: For more information on leasing, reach out to Leslie Giorgetti at [email protected].

Phase 2 Plans

The next step, Phase 2, has 14 additional commercial condominiums in the pipeline and is close to receiving its required permits.

What to Expect in Phase 2:

  • Permitting: Scheduled to be processed very soon.
  • Groundbreaking: Expected to start in early Spring 2024.
  • Availability: Units will be available on the market in early 2024.
  • Pre-Sale Opportunities: Due to the rapid sell-out of Phase 1, prospective buyers are encouraged to contact us immediately for pre-sale opportunities.

Siler Rufina District: A Business Haven

The Siler Rufina District is vibrant and unique, home to an array of locally-owned small to medium-sized businesses. The area is peppered with restaurants, coffee shops, offices, light industrial workspaces, and warehouses.

  • Limited Leasing: While there are still some lease opportunities in the district, Studios at Parkway is one of the very few offerings for sale.

Developer’s Vision: Palo Santo Designs

Palo Santo Designs, along with its developer partners, has meticulously designed these commercial spaces to blend modernist aesthetics with practicality.

  • Ownership Opportunities: The Studios are intentionally designed to provide ownership opportunities for local small businesses.
  • Size and Price: With an approximate gross floor area of 1600 square feet and a pricing model targeted at owner-occupied businesses, the Studios at Parkway are poised to be a significant addition to Santa Fe’s business community.

For any inquiries or interest, do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.


CONTACT US | OUR SERVICES

Why You Should Hire A Santa Fe Home Builder & Architect Together

Posted on by Mark

If you’re researching to build a home in Santa Fe and are wondering how to start and what’s involved in the process, then we want to provide some insight here. Building a custom home isn’t a small project and we don’t want it be a poor experience for you, which is why we want you know everything up front.

So let’s take a dive into what the traditional process for building a custom home is like and how our design-build approach is designed to make that experience better.

Understanding the Traditional Client-Architect-Contractor Relationship & Process

When it comes to building a custom home, the traditional relationship looks like a triangle with the client at one point, architect at one point and general contractor at the last point. Typically, the client would approach an architect to initiate the conceptualization and design of the project.

The triangle represents the traditional client – architect – contractor relationship. The dot represents how we’re innovating this relationship by bring everyone together as one firm.

It’s important to note that a general contractor is not involved in the initial discovery phase or even the design phase of the project, based on the traditional relationship. Selecting a general contractor only comes after the design is complete.

The selection of a general contractor typically goes through a bid process where multiple contractors bid on the project with the most expensive bids being tossed to the side and the more affordable bids fighting for the job. This, of course, is a race to the bottom in terms of price alone.

In some cases a design is kicked back to the architect for a re-design because the contractors cannot build the designed home at a price the owners can afford. It is simply too lofty of a design for the budget.

Redesign can be a very costly experience, and can add many months to a project timeline…unnecessarily, in our opinion.

Why Is the Traditional Relationship is Often Not the Best Approach?

As we mentioned, while all three points of the triangle must be involved to complete a home build, the traditional relationships are siloed from each other. To explain this better, let’s take a look at a real-life example:

Reasons Why the Traditional Client-Architect-Contractor Relationship is Flawed:

#1 – No matter how talented an architect is and how much they know, if they are not working with a builder from the beginning of a project then there is information they will not know and anticipate. Materials, labor, and the environment all constantly change, which directly affects costs and completion. The builder knows that information and can inform the architect but only if the architect is working with the builder from the beginning.

#2 – With the traditional process, expectations are not appropriately set. Again, an architect will surely provide a beautiful design and capture what the client is dreaming of. However, if all of the other building factors are not considered then the client is getting their hopes up for something that may not be a reality. These expectations can crush a project.

#3 – In most cases, 50-75% of custom builds that start in with the traditional relationship end up having to go back through the redesign phase because of unanticipated factors, such as material and labor costs, and other factors Again, a redesign often costs the client more money and immediately delays the build process.

#4 – The traditional approach often focuses primarily on the artistic perspective with little or no focus on cost implications.. As we like to say “our goal is to design to your budget, so that your dream home will become a reality.” This approach is not exclusive of aesthetic focus, but is an informed approach emphasizing the aesthetic in the most cost effective ways possible. So understanding all of the building factors influences the design we create rather than  working backward.

#5 – After a design is ready for contractors to bid on, it becomes all about hitting the budget that is often too low for the scope of the design, which causes a race to the bottom with contractors. Typically, the best builders are tossed out in the beginning because their bid is too “high,” although realistic. In this scenario, you have a beautiful design but a contractor trying to cut costs as much as possible to hit a budget. This is not a recipe for a successful and wonderful build for the client.

#6 – In some cases, a design may never be financially attainable for the client. They have hopes and dreams for a particular home, and while an architect can design the home, it may not be feasible at all for the set budget.

How We Approach Architecture & Home Building in Santa Fe:

Like we mentioned at the beginning, we are innovating this relationship simply by bringing architecture and contractors under one roof and on one team here in Santa Fe.

Since we can collaborate as designers and builders from the very first day, we can overcome the majority of pitfalls that occur in the traditional process. What does this look like?

  • Expectations – we can set the right expectations from day one. No designs that won’t fit an actual budget. We can take your budget and dreams and create a realistic expectation.
  • Financially Attainable – you have a set budget and dream for your home. We take both and create a plan that is attainable financially versus starting with a grand design that cannot be built for your budget. It’s our goal to make your dream a reality and attainable for you.
  • Land/Lot Real Estate – we can assist you in locating and purchasing a lot that suits your goals and avoids many issues that may affect budget and timeline, such as soils, topography, utilities and jurisdictional restrictions. We can effectively prevent redesigns and delays in the design-build process, which saves you money and gets you into your home on time.
  • Compliance – our goal from the moment we start discovery with you is to chart a path of compliance so your project complies with everything needed, such as ordinances, jurisdictions, easements, utilities, and beyond.
  • Truly Design and Build – some firms claim to be a design/build firm but they actually hire an outside architect to come in for a project. We don’t do this. We are truly a design-build firm because we have the architect and builders on the same team here at Palo Santo Designs. We are committed to not only designing you a beautiful home but influencing your project from the beginning with true building knowledge.
  • Sustainability –  because of our extensive experience and expertise in the design and construction of high performance green homes, you can be assured that the design will include numerous fundamental energy and water efficiency features, passive solar design and otherwise environmentally preferable materials and methods.  Sustainability is our baseline, not an add-on.

What Every First-Time Custom Homebuyer Needs To Know

Posted on by palosanto

If it is your first time looking to buy a custom home, you may not yet fully understand the complexities of such a prospect. Because buying a custom home is unlike any other purchase you will make in your life. 

Think of it less as a product you are buying and consider it for what it is, a personalized experience specifically tailored to meet your unique values, goals and preferences, so that you are able to attain the lifestyle improvements you have worked so hard to afford, and that you deserve.

Hire An Integrated Design-Build Team:

Conscientious contractors, designers and architects have learned that an integrated design-build team can streamline this process by bringing the right experts to the table from day one to value engineer the plans to best suit the owner’s goals and budget.

Our Santa Fe building and design team brought the services of architectural design and construction under one roof, improving the efficiency of the integrated design-build team even more.

Choose A Great Location:

The lot you choose to build on will have dramatic effects on the cost, timeline and feasibility of the project. Invite your realtor into the integrated team right away. A quality realtor will be able to interpret potential issues and constraints present with covenants, Home Owners’ Associations, and/or historic districts affecting you. 

Furthermore, your expert realtor will be able to demonstrate what other comparable properties in your area have recently sold at. This will affect the appraisal of your property, which the banks will use to determine your loan amount. Lower appraisals often result in the need to bring more cash to the table in order to close a construction loan.

Understand All Design & Building Costs, Then Relax:

An experienced and qualified contractor will be able to provide you with detailed descriptions of the scope of work with a fixed fee agreement to build the home.

Luxury details, finishes and fixtures require careful consideration and planning on the part of the design-build team and will have a significant impact on the budget. Experienced and conscientious designers and builders will be able to calculate reasonably accurate “allowances” to cover the costs of specialty items that may not yet be selected when a construction contract is signed. 

Be timely with selections of items like tile, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and ask for referrals to local showrooms to view and experience your options.

Remember To Communicate:

Your trusted team of building and design experts will be communicating with you regularly, however, they cannot read your mind.  Don’t allow unspoken concerns detract from the design-build experience.  Good supportive communication will increase the trust among the team and enable the best possible results for you.

Designing and building a custom luxury home is, for many, a once in a lifetime experience.  For some it is something they may get to experience only a few times in their life.  Either way, it is an extraordinary experience that, when handled with trust, expertise, and clear constructive communication is rewarding beyond words. 

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