First and foremost, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2017 has been a busy and rewarding year, and the seed of our project has begun to sprout. we began our adventure a year ago, and we have learned a lot over the past 12 months. This post will summarize what we have learned, where we have been, and most importantly: where we are going!

Before we get into it, Rachel and I would like to thank Moroccan Mosaic and Tile House for providing us with a beautiful sample of their work this year!

In November of 2016 we published our vision of building a riad in the United States and started our analysis of the design, cost, and overall process. The design and cost portions are a catch-22, as one feeds the other and every website that talks about custom homes says, ‘it depends.’ I am estimating my 7 x 7 Meter Atrium design will cost $1 Million USD, and the rough 10 x 10 Meter design I am working on, around $1.7 Million USD. I plan on publishing my 10 x 10 Meter and ‘Warehouse’ versions in the spring of 2018. The other half of this problem is how to pay for it. I spent a good portion of 2016 devising an investment strategy to balance risk and return, and a plan that also takes advantage of real-estate tax incentives.

During 2016 Rachel and I spent a lot of time gathering cost and production information for tile, carved/molded plaster, carved wood, stained glass, and other trim items. We decided against trying to make the tile ourselves, and instead are focusing on using 3D printers and CNC machines to make molds, carve wood, and etch brass for the bulk accoutrements. Our current plan is to use Moroccan vendors for the wall, column, and fountain tiles. We also plan on working with local artists for a limited amount of stained glass on the 1^st floor. We completed our first series of stained glass classes this past month, and look forward to learning more in 2018.

So, what is next for 2018?

• Complete the tile comparison and review
• Complete the first geometric alignment of the 7 meter and 10 meter plans
• Establish contact with regional builders for ICF and CEB
• Create our initial list of architects
• Draft initial room designs and motifs
• Continue our stained-glass classes
• Update the cost analysis!

For all those banging their heads on the wall trying to find detailed riad floorplans with a geometric analysis and basic elevations – our drafts will be completed in 2018!

In the meantime, check out “Innen-Hof in Marrakesch : Islamische Geschichte als Gegenwart (Courtyards in Marrakech : the living presence of Islamic history)” by Werner Blaser. This book has a few elevations and floorplans with measurements. If you decide to splurge $300 on a book, I also recommend reviewing “The Alhambra” by Antonio Fernandez-Puertas, which provides a geometric analysis of the Alhambra.

-Mike