Desert Wing Residence
Scottsdale / Arizona / USA
A tremendous site paired with a contemporary minimalist vision with high regard for the native desert inspire the design of this home. Oriented on an axis to maximize the lake views and careful screening of neighbors concentrates one’s full attention to the natural environment.
As a builder it is rare to find an architect who has an intimate knowledge of the construction process and the ability to seamlessly orchestrate the team dynamic between the owner, architect, builder. Brent Kendle is such a conductor. He is sensitive to how his design and detailing actually come together in the field and not merely how it looks on paper.
-Stephan Mackos, MACKOS Architecture & Construction, llc
As a builder it is rare to find an architect who has an intimate knowledge of the construction process and the ability to seamlessly orchestrate the team dynamic between the owner, architect, builder. Brent Kendle is such a conductor. He is sensitive to how his design and detailing actually come together in the field and not merely how it looks on paper.
-Stephan Mackos, MACKOS Architecture & Construction, llc
Robust walls crafted from earth and concrete serve a dual purpose, shielding the interiors from the relentless desert sun while maintaining a deliberate separation from nearby structures.
A subtle yet profound intervention takes the form of an almost imperceptible line of glass, strategically positioned beneath deep overhangs. This design choice blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, inviting occupants to engage intimately with the natural surroundings. The expansive views – from the immediate allure of the desert flora to the captivating city lights in the distant valley – become integral components of the living experience. Moreover, planar roof forms, artfully contoured, play a functional role in capturing and redistributing rainwater to sustain adjacent vegetation.
A subtle yet profound intervention takes the form of an almost imperceptible line of glass, strategically positioned beneath deep overhangs. This design choice blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, inviting occupants to engage intimately with the natural surroundings. The expansive views – from the immediate allure of the desert flora to the captivating city lights in the distant valley – become integral components of the living experience. Moreover, planar roof forms, artfully contoured, play a functional role in capturing and redistributing rainwater to sustain adjacent vegetation.
Material selection extends beyond considerations of beauty and low maintenance; it embraces a commitment to indigenous qualities. Copper, sourced from the Arizona desert, boldly adorns the roof forms, creating an illusion of weighless levitation over both indoor and outdoor areas.
Rammed Earth walls, constructed from soil excavated on-site, gracefully ascend from the desert floor, echoing the countours of the surrounding mountain range. The outcome is a residence that harmoniously integrates with its environment, eloquently expressing its distinctive sense of place in the world.
Rammed Earth walls, constructed from soil excavated on-site, gracefully ascend from the desert floor, echoing the countours of the surrounding mountain range. The outcome is a residence that harmoniously integrates with its environment, eloquently expressing its distinctive sense of place in the world.