18 Awe-Inspiring Homes With Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings

When architect Fernanda Canales decided to create a vacation home for her family on a secluded plateau in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, she knew that the remote location and temperamental weather would be a challenge. To ensure the house could be self-sustaining, she chose to use barrel vaults for protection and utility. Their large, open ends provide access to natural lighting and cross ventilation to minimize energy demands for the home, which does not have any mechanical heating or cooling. Electricity and hot water are powered by solar panels on the roof, while the barrel shape helps funnel rainwater into a 26,000-gallon underground cistern.