The context for this site consists of larger homes on one-acre lots. Aesthetically, the neighboring houses’ architectural language is more often than not, associated with speculative developer trends and styles, rather than an integrated understanding of the site, the views, and other opportunities. As a result, the project required a strategy which would edit out the immediate context of this neighborhood while focusing on distant views of the McDowell Mountains to the north and the valley to the south and southwest. The project also sought to create a protected courtyard space for the backyard and pool area as an immediate focus for the lower level of the house in contrast to the second level taking advantage of the more distant views.

The house presents itself as a series of sand-blasted 12-8-16 masonry walls upon which a stainless steel and glass clad volume floats. The masonry walls are solid with minimal openings in order to edit out the existing context of the neighborhood while also ensuring privacy. In specific locations associated with the entry courtyard and the outdoor space for a guest bedroom, the masonry gradually opens up its coursing to allow for light and air. A separate weathering steel plate clad volume to the south houses the garage while also providing privacy to the pool area and backyard from a neighboring house.

Entering into the residence takes one along a monolithic field of desert grasses and through a portal created by two masonry walls and the volume above. One is ushered into a garden space while being focused on the views north of the McDowell Mountains. This garden space offers an area of repose in order to mentally dispose of the immediate context of the neighborhood before entering the house.

Upon entering, the main living space is configured as one uninterrupted volume of space. These public spaces open immediately to the pool and backyard living areas by means ofsliding glass panels that fully disappear. The entry garden is maintained as part of the living space’s experience by the stair being as visibly open as possible while maintaining definition to the entry area.

An adjacent series of spaces in between two masonry walls house two guest bedrooms each having their own distinctive experiences of the site. One is focused on the immediate backyard area while the other is focused on the more distant view to the north. One larger bathroom space separates these two bedrooms while the water closet, walk in shower and bath configuration also maintains a focused view to the north.

The master suite and office are located in the volume above. A panoramic view of the McDowell Mountains to the north is offered in each of these second level spaces. The master bedroom, dressing, and bathroom spaces are configured as one large suite in order to provide an open relationship while emphasizing the panoramic quality of the view to the north. The roof overhangs located on the south and west sides mitigate the solar heat gain while also providing a patio space overlooking the courtyard space.

The upstairs volume is clad in 11 gage 4’ wide stainless steel plate cut to length directly from the coil, and 1” insulated glass panels with a silver colored high performance thermal coating. The strategy of the cladding for this volume was to create an envelope that would best absorb the environment and allow for a varying perception of color and finish throughout the day.

This sleek desert home seems to melt into the sky.

For the Staab family, maintaining privacy within their neighborhood in Scottsdale, Arizona, was just as important as ushering in the views of the McDowell Mountains to the north. The 3,000-square-foot residence, a sculptural volume raised on masonry walls, contrasts and rises over the suburban setting.

The upper and lower levels provide split views that speak to the duality of public and private space. Speaking about the region’s flat topography, Thamarit Suchart of Chen + Suchart Studio explains, “If you’re allowed to get anywhere in an elevated position, you are able to understand the landscape and see that you’re surrounded by mountains. There are so many focal points out there. The second level takes advantage of distant views while the first level takes advantage of local views.”

The entrance of the house escorts you through a field of native grass and along a pathway formed by sandblasted masonry walls, creating a strong sense of arrival; already, the garden feels far removed from the surrounding neighborhood. A Window Wall and glass Pivot Door by Western Window Systems provide a seamless entry into the open-concept living space, where a sculptural steel staircase provides a focal point. From here, the family room, dining room, and kitchen are connected to the backyard and pool through an expansive Multi-Slide Door, which pulls back to eliminate the barrier between indoors and outdoors. “We were pushing the limits of size and width and height,” says Suchart. “Western Window Systems really rose to the challenge and was really helpful in working with us throughout the process.”

While the communal space downstairs anchors the Staabs in a private courtyard, the upstairs master suite and office open to panoramic views of the desert mountain peaks. A corner Multi-Slide Door peels back to allow the bedroom to become part of the patio, where deep roof overhangs help reduce solar heat gain. “We can control the amount of shade [the family] gets by simply providing an overhang and being more responsive to summer and winter sun angles,” says Suchart. The very architecture that helps integrate the vista into the living experience also shields the residents from harsh conditions.

The materiality of the desert itself was a prime concern for Suchart, who chose a brushed-finish stainless steel and glass for the upper volume in contrast to the gray concrete blocks downstairs. “This particular stainless steel is absorptive, so it transforms with the colors of the day and dematerializes into the sky,” he says, instead of standing in glaring contrast to the site.

Likewise, the glass is treated with a thermal coating that protects against the pounding sun and lends the surface a silvery, mirrored effect. “It’s about collecting the beauty and power of the landscape and absorbing it as part of the material palette,” says Suchart. The mountains and horizon reflected across the walls become part of the building itself, highlighting the fluid relationship between home and habitat that defines the Staab residence.