The Cactus Townhouse was designed for an expanding family who recently acquired a townhouse plot identical to their parents’ nearby residence. The new house was conceived as a renovation project that accommodates their growing household while integrating the owners’ evolving lifestyle.

What began as a hobby of cultivating cacti gradually developed into a second profession. However, the spatial limitations of the parents’ house made it difficult to expand this passion into a more serious practice. One of the key design strategies was therefore to introduce a cactus glasshouse at the front of the house. Facing south, the glasshouse is positioned to receive sunlight throughout the year, an essential condition for cactus cultivation. This intervention also defines the character of the house’s façade, where the glass enclosure becomes a distinctive architectural element. In the evenings, the illuminated glasshouse softly lights the street, contributing to a safer and more lively atmosphere within the neighborhood.

Unlike the typical townhouse configuration, the existing house contains an internal courtyard. The renovation takes advantage of this spatial quality rather than altering it. The central void allows natural daylight to penetrate deep into the interior while enabling cross ventilation across all rooms. We were particularly interested in preserving and enhancing this environmental performance.

At the rear of the house, the courtyard is transformed into a small pottery garden for the owners. The ground is finished with slate stone flooring, creating a calm, garden-like atmosphere for the dining area. A second layer of mosquito netting encloses the space, allowing it to remain open while protecting it from insects. When the openings throughout the house are fully opened, wind flows freely through the central void and across the interior spaces, creating a comfortable living environment supported by natural