Main author
Michael BrooksNautilus House
See the full list of Unusual buildings of the week here.
Nautilus House, located near Mexico City, Mexico, is a whimsical shell-shaped house that is an extraordinary example of ‘bio-architecture’. The house was designed by Javier Senosiain of Arquitectura Organica, and inspired by the work of Gaudi and Frank Lloyd Wright.
The house was named after the shells of the nautilus cephalopod, the logarithmic spiral of which the building mimics with its curved concave shapes.
The structure was created using ferro-cement and consists of a frame of steel-enforced small-diameter chicken wire which is coated with a thin layer of concrete. This material weighs less than brick and is earthquake resistant.
The technique allows rounded natural curves to be formed, which avoids the necessity of bearing walls or columns. It offers continuity between the ground plane, walls and roof, creating the impression of the building emerging organically from the ground.
The house is illuminated with natural light from above as well as from the external wall which is lined with hundreds of small rainbow-coloured stained glass windows.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.