These four home designs have been created by the internationally known architect John Hix. They are presented to suggest design concepts, which the planners feel are appropriate to the landscape and are environmentally sensitive to contemporary island architecture. They are presented to stimulate the imagination and suggest design possibilities for the interested site purchaser. They are not intended as final plans.

“Vieques provides a wonderful, moderate climate year round. My thoughts concerning this special environment, views, ventilation, and openness are key elements of my designs. Although these designs are speculative, with further study and refinement these magnificent locations will generate extraordinary structures whose occupants will enjoy the unique rewards of this special island.” — John Hix, Architect
Suggested lot 1 home. Architect’s comments:
This house has a commanding view of the Atlantic, with Culebra to the northeast and the Caribbean to the southwest. I have chosen to demonstrate that these spectacular views can be achieved with one story. The central living space opens with large rolling doors to a garden court at the entry and over the pool, allowing for maximum cross ventilation. One door can be rolled down, should the winds become too strong. Wide electric rolling screens can be installed for use in the evenings should that be required. All the rooms enjoy the double exposures and are assured of ventilation. The bedrooms have connecting baths and showers with impressive views. They are fitted with sliding panels for maximum privacy as required. All bedrooms are accessed from an outdoor covered walk, giving them the benefit of complete privacy, and feature louvered doors allowing access to private patios and the pool. This house could easily expand adding additional rooms at each end. Its pool could have an alternative southwest position as well.
Suggested lot 2 home. Architect’s comments:
This house has a commanding view of the Atlantic, with Culebra to the northeast and the Caribbean to the southwest from the entry swimming pool deck. It is positioned on sloped land that allows for a more vertical house. This three-story house, a beautiful piece of sculpture suggesting the huge boulders of Vieques, is entered from a patio that contains the 50’ pool with its amazing views to the Caribbean. The main level is an open-plan of kitchen, dining and living areas. From the main level, stairs lead down to two large loft bedrooms with panoramic view shower courts, and up to the master suite and its private patio. Inspired by Casa Triangular at Hix Island House, with views in many directions, this home becomes a very private citadel.
Suggested lot 3 home. Architect’s comments:
This house rests on an amazing peninsula of land with 360-degree views. This location called for an exciting form and a three-story design. The house will be viewed from Sun Bay Beach on the Caribbean side, and I believe should be a strong sculptural form in the landscape. The sloping roof collects water for cisterns, covers the parking area below and creates an atmosphere of fortification and protection. The main entry level is accessed by a long bridge to the western patio, which is centered on the dining area. To the south, the large living room ends in the most dramatic deck on the island. The master bedroom is accessed from the living room and achieves its privacy by being secreted in the pinnacle of the house form. It features one deck facing the Caribbean and another cut into the roof of the house with views to the Atlantic. The dramatic 60’ swimming pool projects out to the west on the sloped land and is protected from the southeast breezes. The lower level of the main house building and the area beneath the pool contain guest bedrooms and enough space to create a multi-level studio, additional bedrooms, office or workshop. Several large and dramatic outdoor spaces commune with the interiors for total enjoyment of this outstanding site.
LOT 4: DESCRIPTION:

Casa Cuatro is located in the gated Monte Brisas neighborhood on the island of Vieques.  A mountaintop development, Monte Brisas is distanced from the hustle of the island below, and conceived to take advantage of commanding views of two oceans while enjoying the comfortable and cooling trade winds.

Internationally acclaimed architect John Hix has designed this ultra-modern, eco-sensitive, mountaintop villa in a clean-lined minimalist manner capturing and enhancing the extraordinary tropical vistas.  The villa capitalizes on the materials that the island craftsmen know best, while incorporating nature, topography and modern comforts.  The villa features woodwork fabricated from tropical renewable tree sources, polished concrete floors, cantilevered concrete awnings, and lighting adjustable for every mood.  The rooms are skillfully crafted from gray concrete and accented with a vibrant color selected from nature.  For those unable to escape the obligations of modern life, the house is equipped with wireless high speed internet access and satellite television. All design and construction elements have been carefully planned to enhance the open air, tropical living experience

24 foot openings frame the central living space capturing not only the magnificent views but the ever-present trade winds.  Furnished with comfortable modern sofas of minimal design this area is comfortably suited for cocktails or a welcome afternoon siesta. The “surfboard” coffee table makes you think “sun and sand.”  Dine indoors in style on the oak dining table seating eight, accented by Alvar’s black strap dining chairs, or outdoors at the European designed dining table accommodating six.

The kitchen is a gourmet cook’s delight with top-of-the-line appliances, including two dishwashers beneath a highly polished concrete countertop and island.  The refrigerator is equipped with an icemaker for welcome cooling drinks.  Convection/microwave, espresso, coffee, or lemonade, the kitchens’ equipped for that and more.

Three bedrooms share the matching design concept, each with its own color scheme, buttercup, aubergine, or palm.  All beds, (one king size and two queen size) float in the bedroom facing unparalleled views of the Caribbean Sea.  Bed linens are chosen to compliment the individual color schemes of each private bedroom. All bedrooms have large openings, similar to the living room, which make their occupants feel they are floating high above the forest below.  Innovative roll down screens in each bedroom protect the rooms from the errant mosquito after sunset.  All bedrooms have their own private bath with handcrafted concrete sinks, known locally as “lavamanos”, and open shower courts with the same incredible views.  Rooftop solar panels take advantage of the favorable Caribbean climate and provide the hot water for all bathrooms.

The 47 foot swimming pool is a marvel of modern structural engineering, floating 25 feet above the ground below, and overlooking the Caribbean Sea to the south, its trickling waterfalls at either ends establish it as the most refreshing getaway on the island.

A laundry room equipped with a large capacity washer and dryer is located on the lower level, along with the other technical equipment required to operate a modern mountaintop house.

Casa Cuatro is sited on almost three acres of pristine mountaintop land.  Near the home, indigenous flowering plants and vines attract Caribbean humming birds by the dozens.  As an added bonus, 75% of each Monte Brisas home site must remain in its natural state ensuring a favorable habitat for wildlife for generations to come