As I was driving back from my visit to the National Wildlife Refuge the other day, I was enticed to take a short detour off the main road in Antonito, Colorado. I saw a shimmering structure that looked like a church — but there was something odd and not quite symmetrical about it, even from a distance of three or four blocks.
It turned out to be an amazing construction of what appeared to be recycled boards, windows, rocks, bits of glass, pieces of metal, and many, many aluminum cans. In front was a sign that stated: “Alcohol and Tobacco Is Kills. Mary Jane Is Healing.” Okay, the grammar’s a little screwy, but you get the idea. I had a feeling the builder may have been experiencing the healing effects of Mary Jane when he or she contrived this monumental edifice. On the other hand, there were all those beer cans — but I guess they could have been Mountain Dew or Coca Cola cans. Here’s a closer view of the towers, from the other side:
I grew up in the town of Antonito and this house was built by a man living here in Antonito… We grew-up calling this structure called Kano’s Castle…
VC and OZ have A very swanky place.
[...] Mad Max Redux: Occasionally, on those weekend trips to admire fall colors or spring buds, you might run across a home that looks like something you’d see in a Mad Max movie. This is what happened to the owner of Mother Wit Writing and Design. On her return from a National Wildlife Refuge near Taos, New Mexico, she saw a “shimmering structure that looked like a church but there was something odd and not quite symmetrical about it, even from a distance of three or four blocks.” As she drove closer, she discovered that this object was a home constructed from recycled boards, windows, rocks, bits of glass, pieces of metal and many aluminum cans. Whether the owner built the house from scratch or used the materials to patch an already existing home is unknown. But, you may admit that this is an original use of recycled materials, and the cost may have been only the time consumed in construction. Before you attempt a project like this, it might behoove you to check your local building codes. No sense in spending time (if not money) if you can’t comply with local laws. [...]
[...] Mad Max Redux: Occasionally, on those weekend trips to admire fall colors or spring buds, you might run across a [...]
[...] Mad Max Redux: Occasionally, on those weekend trips to admire fall colors or spring buds, you might run across a home that looks like something you’d see in a Mad Max movie. This is what happened to the owner of Mother Wit Writing and Design. On her return from a National Wildlife Refuge near Taos, New Mexico, she saw a “shimmering structure that looked like a church but there was something odd and not quite symmetrical about it, even from a distance of three or four blocks.” As she drove closer, she discovered that this object was a home constructed from recycled boards, windows, rocks, bits of glass, pieces of metal and many aluminum cans. Whether the owner built the house from scratch or used the materials to patch an already existing home is unknown. But, you may admit that this is an original use of recycled materials, and the cost may have been only the time consumed in construction. Before you attempt a project like this, it might behoove you to check your local building codes. No sense in spending time (if not money) if you can’t comply with local laws. [...]
This is awesome the coolest recycled home!♥:)
Cool I ♥ it!
omg this is so buitiful how did you do it and lve in it
Say what you will, but she has housing in this “economic downturn!”
Something I found online about this structure: It is called “Cano’s Castle.” The Castle was built by Donald “Cano” Espinoza, a Native American Vietnam veteran. Citing his main influences for the Castle as “Vitamin M” and Jesus, it is a wonder to behold. Built as a thanks for having his life spared in Vietnam, Cano’s castle is actually four separate structures. “The king”, “the queen”, “the palace” and “the rook, horse and knight.” The four story “king” house, covered in beer cans and hubcaps gleaming in the sunlight, is surely the crowning achievement.
I love how they left some of the original pink in it!