This Colombian clay house can't be greener

In the olden days, clay houses were quite ubiquitous but now they have become a rarity, and the present generation can’t even imagine about a life inside a house made of terracotta. But if you are desperate to visit such a structure, there is a golden opportunity to step into a clay house that happens to be the world’s largest piece of pottery.

The mammoth clay house, Casa Terracota, is tucked away in the mountain village of Villa de Leyva, which is 95miles north of Bogota in Colombia, a South American nation. This unique dwelling, which was moulded by celebrated Colombian architect Octavio Mendoza Morales, is made of pliable clay and had been baked in hot sun for sturdiness and durability. It is noteworthy that the earthen structure doesn’t even have a speck of steel or cement in it. This habitable place, spread across 5,400 sq ft, is the world’s largest piece of artistic creation in terracotta.

Not just a visual treat

This abode, which is in a different league altogether, is not only a visual treat but also scores high in utility value. The two-storey house, which was built in 14 years, boasts of all facilities including cots, chairs and tables, to name a few, and the kitchen is also well stocked with utensils and jugs. Another noteworthy feature is that the house has clay-made furniture and kitchen utensils. Bright-coloured mosaic tiles give a touch of elegance to the bathrooms, toilets and sinks of the house, which is powered by solar energy. Mendoza, who has exquisitely designed numerous buildings and churches that dot various parts of Colombia, considers clay house as the prestigious project of his life. The acclaimed architect’s aim was to show to the world that habitable houses can be put in place with natural resources and without disturbing the ecosystem.

Enchanting sights

Villa de Leyva is a hodgepodge of wonderful vistas and the tourists can only have a great time visiting this remarkable place. The valley where the town is situated is replete with fossils dating back to the Cretaceous era. One can also find the Iguaque national park and the seven-cascade La Periquera waterfalls, which is 15km away from the town centre, in Villa de Leyva.