Dos Hijas Gallery by CLACLÁ Taller de Arquitectura

A Harmonious Dialogue Between Architecture and Nature

The Dos Hijas Gallery by CLACLÁ Taller de Arquitectura is a sculptural, off-grid sanctuary that honors the traditions of vernacular desert architecture while integrating contemporary design strategies. Situated in Ensenada, Baja California, the project is a thoughtful response to its delicate ecosystem — the coastal scrub — which is increasingly endangered in the region.

A Living Axis of Architecture

Organized along a central compositional axis, the design acts as a "living machine", where an elevated open-air corridor links the main house, guesthouse, and art gallery. This spine-like structure invites users to engage with the landscape with every transition, turning daily movement into a sensory journey.

Respect for the Land

True to its environmental mission, the construction avoided harming native vegetation. Existing plants were carefully uprooted and later replanted, demonstrating a rare symbiosis between architecture and nature. The approach ensures that the built environment becomes an extension of the terrain, rather than an imposition on it.

COB Construction: Earth, Straw, Granite

The gallery is constructed using COB, a sustainable and ancestral building technique using clay, straw, and granite. This earthen architecture requires no secondary structure — its thick, tapering walls are hand-shaped and sit atop a stone foundation. These massive forms evoke geological sculptures, as if erupted from the ground by the elemental forces of earth, water, and sun.

Self-Sufficient and Off-Grid

Every detail of Dos Hijas Gallery reflects an ethos of self-sufficiency and sustainability:

• Rainwater harvesting roofs collect and store water.
• Solar panels generate all electrical energy needed.
• A passive water treatment system reuses greywater throughout the property.This off-grid design eliminates dependence on city infrastructure, achieving full ecological autonomy.

Tactile Craftsmanship

Every wall, curve, and surface was crafted by hand, embodying the artisans’ patience and the builders’ passion. The structure is crowned by a concrete belt that subtly ties the organic forms together, ensuring both durability and a poetic expression of unity

All the photographs are works of Yoshihiro Koitani