TUCSON – Located within the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona, this one floor retreat seems to mimic the stillness and calm that characterise the surrounding environment. Architects Jesus Robles and Cade Hayes, co-founders of Tucson-based studio DUST, brought the core of their practice’s philosophy – ‘to touch this earth lightly’ – into this design. Sitting in an arid expanse of land, the house was carefully planned in response to the neighbouring landscape, ancient cacti, the migration path of animals, sun and air movement and views. ‘Great effort was invested to minimise the physical impact of the home in such a fragile environment,’ the architects explain. ‘While at the same time we attempted to create a place that would serve as a backdrop to life and strengthen the sacred connections to the awe-inspiring mystical landscape.’
The house is divided into three separate areas – living, sleeping and entertainment/music recording – each accessible only from the outside. According to the architects, ‘This separation resolves the clients’ desired acoustic separation while, at the same time, offering a unique opportunity to continuously experience the raw desert landscape.’ Spanning 338-sq-m, the retreat also includes a rooftop terrace and patios that open up the house to the desert through large glass doors.
Rammed Earth, a central element to the vernacular of desert architecture and the house’s principal material, grants the house sustainable and aesthetic qualities. Overhangs that protect the south-facing interiors from direct sunlight, the positioning of the glazed openings and a rainwater harvesting system also contribute to the sustainability of the retreat.
Images courtesy of Jeff Goldberg from ESTO
