Perched on the rugged slopes of Palo Huérfano, an extinct volcano rising above the Mexican highlands, Casa Etérea is a 75-square-metre glass and mirror hideaway that seems to dissolve into the landscape. Designed by Prashant Ashoka and featured on the cover of Architectural Digest, this off-grid retreat runs on solar power, collects its own rainwater, and was built using volcanic rock from the mountain itself.
The name means 'ethereal' in Spanish, and Casa Etérea lives up to it. Two angular glass volumes meet at a 120-degree angle, their mirrored exteriors reflecting the sky, clouds, and surrounding wilderness so completely that the building appears to vanish. Inside, there are no partition walls. The bedroom, living area, kitchen, and bathroom flow as one continuous space, framed by floor-to-ceiling glass doors that slide open to reveal uninterrupted views of towering cliffs and high desert scrubland.
Every detail has been considered. A handcrafted copper bathtub, commissioned from artisans in Santa Clara del Cobre, sits framed by acacia branches. The glass-walled shower looks out over a zigzagging ravine. Blackened walnut cabinets, polished concrete floors, and exposed wooden beams mix with antique jade vases, a brass telescope for stargazing, and carefully curated pieces from Bali and China.
Outside, a solar-heated plunge pool sits on a wooden deck surrounded by olive and pomegranate trees. The property spans two acres of untouched land, with no neighbours in sight. At night, the absence of light pollution makes for extraordinary stargazing, while days are spent watching hawks circle overhead and light move across the volcanic landscape.
San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage town known for its colonial architecture and thriving arts scene, is just 8km away. A free shuttle runs guests to and from town, though you may find yourself reluctant to leave. This is a place designed for two people to disconnect completely, with no distractions beyond the play of light on glass and the slow passage of clouds reflected in mirrored walls.
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