Ovni House

The Space

You might think that a fellow who builds a house in the shape of a spaceship would believe in visitors from outer space, but that is not the case. Mr. Rivera is not even particularly interested in movies about outer space, and often confuses “Close Encounters” with, as he puts it, “the one with the finger ... ‘E.T.’ ”

Those metallic boxes on the flying saucer’s dome, which suggest a sophisticated communications system or perhaps a weapon that could smash our sorry planet into smithereens? Ashtrays from the dollar store (Mr. Rivera used about 200).

Many of the sculptural light fixtures are made from car parts. The living room shades were once seat belts, and the fountain in the dining room is made from old utensils and pots and pans.

Mr. Rivera also built the furniture, most of which is mounted on the wall a few inches off the floor. He grew up in the barrio, he explains, and there were a lot of insects. Plus, having furniture a few inches off the floor makes it easier to clean the house.

He built the cabinets and closets as well. And the toilet seat that serves as the base for the overhead lighting in the master bedroom?

In the guest bathroom, the ceiling is made from bath towels, pulled taut and shellacked. There is also an arresting painting by Mr. Rivera that shows an older man with his arm around a young man’s shoulder and, in the background, a long-haired woman who has turned away. The young man has a prominent tear running down his cheek.