Magnolia House is an intimate and poetic residence designed for the architect’s mother—a tribute rooted in her cherished affinity for magnolia trees. The home’s design deliberately revolves around a central courtyard where a magnolia blooms at the heart, serving as both a literal and symbolic anchor to nature.

Perched in a mountain valley, the house emerges like a graceful spaceship, its thin, post-tensioned concrete slab hovering over the landscape. Concrete walls seamlessly envelop inhabitants with gentle protection, while expansive glass allows sunlight, air, and dramatic views to flow through, merging interior and exterior in a continuous sensory embrace.

The carefully selected materials—cast-in-place concrete, steel, glass—and thoughtful environmental systems (including solar thermal collectors and insulated roofing) bring together comfort, refinement, and sustainability.

Inside, spaces unfold organically: communal areas align with the terrace and courtyard, while private zones—bedrooms, bathrooms, guest quarters—are arranged in serene wings. The home also introduces Near Life, a furniture collection blending craftsmanship and technology into evocative organic forms.

Magnolia House is more than a home—it is an experiential sanctuary that celebrates memory, light, craftsmanship, and nature.

Type: Single family house

Date: 2022

Area: 750sqm

Location: Arrayanes, Ecuador

Status: Built