On the outskirts of Xalapa, Veracruz in Mexico, a remarkable terracotta-hued home nestles amidst clusters of trees. Its exterior is a visual spectacle, with undulating convex slopes that ebb and flow from top to bottom, accentuated by circular windows that follow the building’s natural curves. From an aerial view, the homeowner, Rosalinda Ulloa, fondly recalls that the house has been likened to “a mushroom, an octopus, a bat cave, a flower, and even pie-topping meringue.”

Named Casa de los Milagros, or House of Miracles, this architectural marvel’s construction began in 1955 and unfolded gradually over 47 years, finally reaching completion in 2002. In 2021, Kurdish photographer and architect Naser Nader Ibrahim, based in Mexico, captured stunning images of this one-of-a-kind creation. The late Danilo Veras Godoy, who designed the house, started the project by simply asking Ulloa to describe her wildest dreams.

Externally, these dreams materialized as mosaic-tiled slides and patios, expansive skylight windows, and sliding poles. Internally, the house features sunlit bedrooms with steps leading to cozy lofted beds and windows perfect for stargazing, while bookshelves and reading nooks are cleverly tucked beneath stairs. The bright, spacious kitchen is illuminated by stained-glass windows depicting a toucan and peacock. Casa de los Milagros has been described as “a quilt, parts of it made from found and gifted materials.”

For more architectural wonders, visit Ibrahim’s website and Instagram.