A Design That Opens Inside and Out
The house begins with a central circular courtyard and extends into a curved module that provides 360-degree views of the landscape. Canales describes the plan as a “sundial that records the passage of time”; by day the design frames the landscape, and by night it folds inward around the circular patio. The curved walls and terraces allow the house to alternate between outward-facing openness and inward-facing quiet, accommodating different ways of living.
The project is arranged in three distinct volumes that respond to the steep site. Volume A is the main circular house, containing bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, and a kitchen with a rectangular island. Volume B is an independent studio or guest room. Volume C houses additional bedrooms and facilities, laid out to preserve existing vegetation.
Designed for Big Temperature Swings and Low Energy Use
The house is built to handle large daily temperature swings, temperatures on site can change by 30 °C (about 86 °F) in a single day, so energy efficiency was a priority. The home aims for self-sufficiency with rainwater harvesting and electricity from solar panels. Bedrooms have hydronic radiant floors (heated by circulating hot water under the floor), and a solar-powered hot water system supplies the plumbing.
Walls act as membranes between forest and temperate prairie zones and adapt to dry and wet seasons. That lets the house “breathe” as the environment changes, improving energy performance and keeping living spaces comfortable in extreme weather.
Local Craftsmanship and Natural Materials
Durability and low maintenance guided material choices. The structure uses local earth mixed with concrete, producing surfaces that blend into the landscape. The color and material palette make the building appear integrated with the site.
Canales prioritized local craftsmanship: most furniture, accessories, and lighting were produced on-site from local materials. This supported the local economy and reinforced the visual and material connection between the house and its surroundings.
Ready for Modern, Flexible Living
The single-story layout keeps the building grounded in its setting, and the roof doubles as an extended terrace. Openings, privacy screens, folding windows, and carefully framed views, keep the house connected to nature while providing privacy and comfort.
The design is flexible enough for two families, described as “many houses in one.” The separated volumes balance privacy and communal space while maintaining a focus on environmental stewardship.
Canales’ design produces a home that changes with the seasons and provides an example of sustainable, adaptable residential architecture.
