Venezuelan Eco Cabanas Light Up with Recycled Glass Walls

Designer <a href="http://www.keearch.com/" target="_blank">Kristofer Nonn</a>’s innovative Eco Cabanas in remote <a href="http://inhabitat.com/squatter-infested-skyscraper-in-venezuela-is-the-worlds-tallest-shanty-town/" target="_blank">Venezuela</a> are inspired by stilt architecture and help locals live in a healthier, more sustainable way. In contrast to the dark and damp corrugated metal dwellings that tend to populate the Santa Elena region, Nonn’s structures are open and airy, bringing ample natural light into the interior. Using only locally-sourced and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/amazing-house-built-from-6-million-beer-bottles/" target="_blank">recycled materials</a>, Nonn has created a model for sustainable and inexpensive living that will keep the people of Santa Elena comfortable and cool.

Each Eco Cabana is <a href="http://inhabitat.com/stilts-inhabitat-monkeys-around-in-sustainable-kenyan-treehouses/" target="_blank">elevated on stilts</a>, echoing the indigenous people of the region, but also helping to prevent structural deterioration.

The structures are based on concrete poles and simple wooden frames, made from hand split shingles of local wood. Wood waste are transformed into doors and stairs.

Since glass is scarce in the region, the Eco Cabanas let light in with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/heineken-wobo-the-brick-that-holds-beer/" target="_blank">wall of recycled glass</a>. Collected beer and liquor bottles were collected from roadways, and transformed into <a href="http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-garden-chapel-made-entirely-from-bottles/" target="_blank">solid glass and concrete walls</a>, providing structural support and beautiful colored light- making for a surprisingly serene design.

The north and south facing portions of the homes are open, which helps to maximize cross breezes, which cools the interior naturally.

The familiar corrugated metal, which make up entire homes in the region, are placed at opposing angles for the roofing. This angular design not only creates shade for the porches on both the front and back of the home, but also funnels rainwater- keeping it out of the home and easily collected into <a href="http://inhabitat.com/rain-barrel-art-raises-water-awareness-in-chicago/recycle-raindrops4/" target="_blank">barrels</a>.

The Eco Cabanas are a comfortable and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tiny-adob-shelters-provide-humane-housing-for-slum-dwellers-in-just-one-day/" target="_blank">inexpensive solution for developing countries</a>, giving residents a safe place to live, and also the pride of a beautiful home.