As a birthday gift to famous model Naomi Campbell, Luis de Garrido from Spain designed an off-grid home complete with photovoltaic panels, a sophisticated geothermal system, an interior landscaped terrace, and – ahem – 25 bedrooms.
For those who believe that the Eye of Horus from Egyptian mythology is actually an illuminati cult symbol, this incredible project on the Isla Playa de Cleopatra in Turkey might be a bit hard to swallow. But for everyone else who sees it for what it is – a work of pure architectural genius – read on.
Although it comes with 25 bedrooms and five lounges, which is definitely well out of range for anyone whose name is not Naomi Campbell or maybe Sheikh Hamad (who inscribed his name into a Gulf beach so that it would be visible from space), it is a scaled example of what can be achieved in architecture when the goal is to achieve complete self-sufficiency.
Although not everyone’s cup of tea, the eye shape is achieved by the clever placing of photovoltaic panels that also generate part of the energy required to run the building. More energy comes from a deeply sophisticated geothermal system and passive design.
That large dome you see permits natural light and warmth to penetrate the house all year round, but not too much. Solar gain is controlled with horizontal louvers, landscaping, and glazed windows.
Steps have also been taken to ensure that the house is well-ventilated, which should put to rest any concerns that the greenhouse effect creates an uncomfortable humidity level, while an interior landscaped terrace on the top floor further contributes to the home’s superior microclimate.
Rainwater is harvested and all of the wastewater is treated on site using a biological treatment system, further rounding out this home’s overall efficiency. Of course, virtually every Green Prophet writer would shoot for a home that is much smaller and more understated, but then we don’t millions of dollars at our disposal. So, if given the choice between solid-gold mercedes and a massive off-grid home on an island, we’d definitely choose the latter!
More of the wildest architectural projects featured on Green Prophet:
Syria’s Beehive-Shaped Green Architecture
Mud Structures from the Muslim World: Spectacular and Sustainable
The Epitome of Sustainable Architecture: 700 Year Old Iranian Caves
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
It should be built, and many smaller models of it should be built as well.
Start some locally!
Very cool from the sky. What’s it gonna look like years and years from now when it’s discovered by future mankind. I can imagine stonehedge-esque stories about this house!