An Earthship-Inspired Desert Home Asks $3.5M in Santa Fe

Situated on an 11-acre lot, the eccentric residence comprises two sculptural structures made from adobe, stucco, and stone.

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Property Details:  

Location: 41 Estrada Calabasa, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Price: $3,475,000

Footprint: 7,913 square feet (five bedrooms, seven baths)

Lot size: 11 acres

From the agent: "Known as The Desert Flower (Ahkon Povi in Tewa language) by its designer and builder John McGowan in the late ’70s, this enchanting home is like no other. Hugely inspired by the vision of the early Anasazi ruins of Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon, Ahkon Povi is laid out in a winding, meandering serpentine manner. One is drawn through its passageways into numerous rooms carefully handcrafted and detailed with natural and anthropological elements, blurring the transition between inner and outer worlds."

Designer and builder John McGowan built this eccentric Santa Fe home in the late 1970s.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

An aerial view shows the home’s curvaceous, organic form.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

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"Dug into the hillside, this sanctuary’s beginnings can be found in its large, Earthship-inspired, passive solar south-facing front room," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

"Encased in triple-paned glass, stone and adobe, one is led down into the circular seating area, flanked by built-in planters and a soothing whispering fountain in stone," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

"Throughout the structure, pottery shards accent the walls and other architectural features, constantly taking us back into the deep cultural history of the larger region," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

"The Daliesque vent forms in the kitchen seem to drip from the roof down into the space, like inverted fungi," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

Adobe walls and stone floors run throughout the residence. 

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

Traditional vigas (rough-hewn beams) and latillas (pieces of wood laid between vigas) form the ceilings.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

The property also includes a two-bedroom casita—a later addition that continues in the style of the main house—with two kitchenettes, three bathrooms, an office, and a sizable artist’s studio. 

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

A traditional kiva fireplace sits near a stained-glass door in one of the bedrooms.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

"The sink and cabinets are finished in beautifully patterned cork," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

Traditional textiles and artwork adorns the walls.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

A spa area attached to one of the bedrooms includes an open shower, stone hammam, and cedar-lined sauna.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

"The bath has inlaid ammonite brought back from Madagascar," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

Tall, undulating adobe-and-stucco walls surround the outdoor pool area.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

"From the pool, moving out into the back courtyard lawn, an outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue grill, stained cement countertop, and copper sink provides a wonderful outdoor dining and gathering space," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

"A flagstone path ushers one further up along the hill, skirting the waterfall fountain to a cedar soaking tub overlooking the area," says the listing agent.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

Situated on 11 desert acres in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the expansive property includes two separate houses with a total of five bedrooms and seven baths.

Courtesy of Realty One of Santa Fe

41 Estrada Calabasa in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is currently listed for $3,475,000 by Minka Ingersoll of Realty One of Santa Fe.

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