Set on a prominent ridge in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains, this home is a lens through which the clients – new transplants to Arizona – can experience the magic of the desert. By positioning the home below the ridgeline, a stand of saguaros and rock outcrops were preserved. A shaded walkway and linear water feature link the car court to the main building, creating a choreographed transition to the home.

The steel cladding is intended to match the patinated quality of the local stones, and is anticipated to richly weather over time. In contrast to the more roughly-wrought exterior, the interior is clean and white, a spare frame to house the life of the residents within.

Photography: Bill Timmerman