CONCH SHELL HOUSE
ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO
The Conch Shell Hose is said to be the most outstanding and original house in the island of Isla Mujeres. Surrounded by Caribbean Ocean (180 degrees of ocean views from the windows) it gives you an unique opportunity to experience what it's like living in a Sea Shell. The conch shell house was built using a fairly traditional foundation, such as concrete, as well as recycled and found materials. The owner of the house Octavio Ocampo is a well known artist, whose brother Eduardo is an architect (he also has a house on that island, but a more traditional).
If you enter the house you would be surrounded by a wonderful shell themed interior. The main room has no corners it is round. The upstairs bathroom sink is made out of the base of a conch shell, the faucets are made out of coral, the towel racks are made from conch shells and other seashells and items found on the local beach. Some technical info: 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, 5500 sq. ft., 2 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bath, near the ocean, swimming pool, air-conditioning, internet.
NAUTILUS HOUSE
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
This wonderful, whimsical house design in Mexico City is bringing the life aquatic into architecture. The modern Nautilus House designed by architect Javier Senosiain of Arquitectura Organica is wonderful to look at, walk through and enjoy for what it is a blend of modern architecture and contemporary art. The Nautilus House falls under the architect's organic worksť category, inspired by the sea and taking on the twisting and turning form of the Nautilus shell. The sculptural whimsical house features a striking entry cut into a wall of colorful stained glass. From the outside, it's enough to draw you in; while inside it casts multi-colored spots of light onto walls. But surprisingly, that's still not the most unusual feature of the house. This interior “grass carpet” is just amazing, leading residents and guests through a network of stone paths to the various areas of the home. The bathroom is simply amazing. In it, you actually feel like you're under water with the sandy walls, gorgeous blue tiles and the window overhead. This cool home comes together using “ferrocement constructionť which involves a frame of steel-reinforced chicken wire covered in a two-inch layer of composite of concrete. Not only is the result beautiful, it’s also earthquake-proof and maintenance free
