Nestled between a wooded foothill of Mount Trans-Ili Alatau in Kazakhstan, and a swimming pool that extends across and beyond its full glass wall, is a 600-square-meter home that is unusual because it has a fully mechanized tortoise-like shell that residents control when they want extra privacy and solitude.

What was perfectly natural, on the other hand, was the architect's choice of aluminium when designing the home. Durable, lightweight aluminium materials are welcome on many projects where performance is as important as appearance.

In this case, the automated panels making up the geometrically inspired dome are integrated with the overall futuristic design. This home created by Lenz Architects seems less like a spaceship than a real showcase for how sustainability is enhanced by movable aluminium shields that protect from the sun's rays during the heat, or from wind and cold – especially during the harsh winters near the city of Almaty.

Imagine a bandshell for outdoor concerts in the park, except with a striking and spacious home inside it. That's the view facing the home from poolside. The shell structure is built much like a gambrel roof, with the familiar barn-like angles above the lower paneled tier that shelters the main living space.

Inside that space is an airy, open studio framed in patio- and pool-facing windows. A bright kitchen, appointed with white cabinetry and counters, is separated from the main studio space by a full-length white island. At one end, a spiral staircase – wrapped around its pole in tubular rails – gracefully connects the kitchen and living area with a second story and the open, comfortable guest bedroom. Completing the first floor are a bedroom, bath and separate relaxation room behind the studio space.

The dynamic aluminum panels that make up the façade are treated with white plaster EIFS (exterior insulation and finishing systems) which has thermal insulation properties and sanitizers. The aluminium cladding keeps the system lightweight, at the same time that EIFS treatments improve the building's insulation for maximum energy efficiency that's actually built into the panels and not into wall layers.

One feature that was important to the architects and their client was that the aluminium shell be able to buffer the tranquil environment from outside noise. There could be a lot of reasons for that: Perhaps the home, despite a setting that evokes a sense of retreat and reflection, is located near a busy highway. Perhaps the owners are musicians or artists, who need the space to be still for the creative process. Maybe high-octane individuals working in business or government created the demand for a quiet place to breathe.

Whatever it is that makes quiet a priority, the treated aluminium panels provided the solution so that, just like the tortoise, the villa's residents can tuck themselves inside the shell and enjoy both peace and comfort.