Property Phases

A real-time documentation of the Cuba property build — from raw high desert to fully developed homestead. Each phase builds on the last.

Currently Active — Phase 0
0
Site Prep & Clearing
Active Now
Started Jan 2023

Phase 0 — Site Prep & Clearing

  • T-Post Fence Line Installation

    Phased installation of t-post fencing along property boundaries. Establishes the legal perimeter and begins defining the land as an active property.

  • Brush Clearing — Sagebrush & Juniper

    Systematic removal of dense sagebrush and juniper across the main property area. This is the most labor intensive phase — transforming overgrown high desert into open usable land.

  • Access Road Created

    Initial access road established from Highway 197 into the property — enabling vehicle access to the main build site and eastern parcel.

  • Southwest Corner — Target Range Clearing

    Dedicated clearing of the southwest corner facing the mesa — creating the open sightlines needed for the future target range. Nearly complete.

  • Survey Boundary Markers

    Official survey completed by Keith — pink and blue ribbon markers on wooden stakes identifying all boundary corners. Updated survey to pin down the final Rio Puerco eastern boundary point.

0.5
Infrastructure Prep
Upcoming

Phase 0.5 — Infrastructure Prep

  • Access Road Widening & Grading

    Widening and grading the existing access road to accommodate larger vehicles and equipment needed for future construction phases.

  • Site Grading for Future Structures

    Leveling and grading key areas of the property in preparation for the fire pit, garden beds, and eventually the container home foundation.

  • Utility Planning — Solar, Water & Septic Layout

    Planning and marking the layout for off-grid solar system, municipal water connection from the Village of Cuba, and septic system placement.

1
Recreational Structures
Upcoming

Phase 1 — Recreational Structures

  • Sunken Fire Pit

    A sunken fire pit with earthen mound and plaster surround — the social heart of the property. Designed for gathering, stargazing, and glamping experiences.

  • Target Range Completion

    Archery, knife throwing, and spear launching range in the southwest corner — open views of both mesa and mountains as the backdrop.

  • Glamping Area — Bell Tent & Hogan

    Dedicated glamping area with a large bell tent and a traditional Navajo Hogan dwelling — offering guests an authentic connection to the land and culture.

  • Beehives

    Installation of beehives near the garden and pollinator areas — supporting the ecosystem and offering honey harvesting experiences for visitors.

  • Raised Garden Beds with Deer Fencing

    6+ ft tall deer fence surrounding the raised garden bed area with 2+ ft deep chicken wire trenching to keep burrowing animals out. Peach and apple trees in the center.

  • Outdoor Kitchen, Grill & Horno

    Traditional horno (adobe oven) alongside an outdoor grill and kitchen area — built south of the old fence line, facing the valley views.

  • Water Line Digging

    Trenching and installation of the municipal water line connection from the Village of Cuba — essential infrastructure to support all recreational structures and the future home.

2
Permits & Documentation
Upcoming

Phase 2 — Permits & Documentation

  • Sandoval County Building Permits

    Confirm Sandoval County as the permitting authority for the Cuba location and obtain all required building permits for the container home structure.

  • Structural Engineer for Container Home

    Hire a structural engineer experienced with non-traditional container structures — required for stamped plans and permit approval in New Mexico.

  • Soil & Septic Perc Tests

    Required soil testing and septic percolation tests — essential for determining the septic system design and obtaining NM Environment Department approval.

  • Stamped Architectural Plans

    Engineer-stamped plans for the L-shaped container home layout — four 40ft containers and two 20ft containers — including electrical, plumbing, and structural drawings.

3
Foundation & Structure
Future

Phase 3 — Foundation & Structure

  • Container Acquisition

    Purchase of four 40ft x 10ft and two 20ft x 10ft shipping containers — the core structure of the L-shaped container home. Sourced used for cost efficiency.

  • Concrete Pier Foundation

    Excavation and installation of a concrete pier foundation system set below the frost line — engineered specifically for the container home layout and New Mexico soil conditions.

  • Container Delivery & Placement

    Delivery of all six containers to the Cuba property and crane placement onto the foundation piers — a major milestone in the build process.

  • Welding & Structural Modifications

    Cutting openings between containers, welding the L-shape configuration together, and reinforcing the structure — two containers EAST-WEST, two NORTH-SOUTH, with two 20ft containers filling the open corner.

4
Build Out
Future

Phase 4 — Build Out

  • Spray Foam Insulation

    Full spray foam insulation throughout all containers — essential for New Mexico's temperature extremes, from sub-zero winters to intense summer heat.

  • Off-Grid Solar System

    Full solar power installation — panels, battery storage, and inverter system sized for year-round off-grid living at 6,900ft elevation with high sun exposure.

  • Interior Framing & Open Spaces

    Interior wall framing creating open living spaces within the four 40ft containers — designed around natural light, the east-facing entrance, and the surrounding landscape views.

  • Plumbing Rough-In

    Interior plumbing rough-in connecting to the municipal water line and septic system — bathrooms, kitchen, and utility connections throughout the home.

5+
Finishing & Beyond
Future Vision

Phase 5+ — Finishing & Beyond

  • Interior Finishing

    Final interior finishes — flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and surfaces throughout the home. Design will reflect the sacred color palette and the surrounding landscape.

  • Year-Round Greenhouse

    Attached greenhouse on the south side of the home — designed for year-round growing at high desert elevation, extending the growing season well beyond the outdoor garden beds.

  • Rainwater Catchment Roof System

    Angled roof system designed to channel rainwater into storage tanks — supplementing the municipal water connection and supporting the garden irrigation system.

  • Eastern Parcel Development

    Slow and intentional development of the Rio Puerco eastern parcel — sunken cabin in the arroyo, wooden yoga and picnic platforms among the cottonwoods, and preservation of the riparian corridor.

Want to Follow the Build?

Each phase brings the property closer to life — reach out if you want updates or want to talk about what's coming next..

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