Colorado Springs may not be known for its architecture, but at least one home on the market in the Springs will turn the heads of even the snobbiest architecture buffs. The home, known as Ventanas House, was designed by architect Walter S. White, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright. White was very interested in solar energy and developed innovative pivotal windows capable of heat exchange. Another White signature is the use of the Hyperbolic-Paraboloid Roof System. Both of White's signature features are on display at Las Ventanas.
The outside perimeter of the house is all glass. Every spring and fall these windows are pivoted around their vertical axis to either position the special solar glass panes toward the inside or out, thus heating or cooling the house as necessary.
Las Ventanas is constructed of steel beams, anchored in concrete. The roof is carried only by steel beams, so there are no supporting interior walls on the upper level. The property also features a large sculpture garden, regulation tennis court, a Japanese-style teahouse/summerhouse, original Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe furniture and a custom sauna.
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