Slopes, Snakes, and Slides Wrap Around ‘Casa de los Milagros’ in Photographs by Naser Nader Ibrahim



Design
Nature

#animals
#architecture
#Naser Nader Ibrahim

August 23, 2024

Jackie Andres

All photos © Naser Nader Ibrahim, shared with permission

On the outskirts of Xalapa, Veracruz in Mexico, a striking terracotta-colored dwelling sits among patches of trees. Standing before the distinctive structure, its exterior boasts fluctuating convex slopes that rise and fall from top to bottom as circular-shaped windows emphasize natural curves. From an aerial perspective, Rosalinda Ulloa—the homeowner—recalls that many have described the house’s shape as, “a mushroom, an octopus, a bat cave, a flower, and even pie-topping meringue.”

Dubbed Casa de los Milagros, or House of Miracles, the architectural wonder’s construction process began in 1955 and took place in stages over the course of 47 years until its completion in 2002. In 2021, Mexico-based Kurdish photographer and architect Naser Nader Ibrahim captured photographs of the unique creation. Designed by the late Danilo Veras Godoy, the project’s jumping-off point was simply asking Ulloa what her wildest dreams were.

On the outside, these visions came to fruition in the form of tiled mosaic-covered slides and patios, large skylight windows, and sliding poles. On the inside, sun-soaked bedrooms incorporate steps that lead to cozy lofted beds with lulling windows for stargazing, bookshelves and reading nooks are tucked into alcoves nestled underneath sets of stairs, and a spacious, bright kitchen glows from stained-glass windows depicting a toucan and peacock. In a description of the project, Casa de los Milagros is described as “a quilt, parts of it made from found and gifted materials.”

For more architectural awes, see Ibrahim’s website and Instagram. (via designboom)

 

in a dining room, natural light shines through a vibrant stained glass window depicting a peacock and toucan.

a staircase painted a deep teal surrounded by a curving wall of a terracotta shade with circular and organically-shaped windows

a bed nestled into a nook with a small circular skylight window shining light onto the pillow

a bedroom with deep teal floors and an alcove under a staircase with bookshelves and a small reading nook by the window

a red cushioned bench sits on the deep teal floor along a hallway with circular windows

a lofted bed sits above a small set of stairs and overlooks a room with deep teal floors and a wooden desk

the exterior of an organically-shaped home with varying convex slopes of terra-cotta tones and a mosaic-covered slide

an outdoor patio completely covered in mosaic tiles

the rear exterior of an organically-shaped home with patio furniture and trees surrounding the area

 

#animals
#architecture
#Naser Nader Ibrahim

 

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