Hix Caribbean Island House – Self-sufficient And Cool

Six apartments stacked in pairs of rectangular concrete blocks make up a stunning new Caribbean guesthouse, designed by architect John Hix to be completely self-sufficient.

Casa Solaris is one of five guesthouses at the Hix Island House retreat on the Vieques Island, which is located off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico – an unincorporated US territory.

The ground floor is occupied by two longer flats, which provide accommodation for four people, while the four smaller blocks above each sleep two. A long entrance staircase cuts through its centre, with landings that peel off to provide access to each of its floors.

Hix wanted the guesthouse to be completely solar powered and off the electricity grid.

Casa Solaris at Hix Island House hotel on the Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico is the first all-solar hotel accommodation in the Caribbean that is entirely removed from the commercial electricity grid," he confirms.

The building is oriented to gather winds from the Caribbean Sea for cross ventilation, while photovoltaic panels fitted to its roof provide power for electricity.

"Guests charge their iPads and computers directly from the sun," adds Hix.

There is no glass used due to the high risk of hurricanes, and instead rolling steel doors are fitted to secure the building. Above each of the openings is a concrete canopy that offers shade from the sun.

Inside, the concrete walls remain exposed. The material also forms the bathroom sinks, dining room tables, desks in the bedrooms and bases for the beds. A true off-grid creation.