When the architecture firm The Ranch Mine drove up to their new project site in the fall of 2018 they spotted perhaps the most iconic midcentury home in Phoenix across the street , a house designe d by Al Beadle commonly known as White Gates which has sat vacant for decades . Knowing the history of this home, the architects knew immediately that they had the challenging task of creating a new neighbor that should honor the legacy of the midcentury mo dern icon while adding a distinctly new chapter to the st ory of this unique neighborhood. The house is named “ White Dates, ” a play on White Gates inspired by the Date p alm trees found on the site, including one that is used to mark the entry of the home.
The layout of the house was driven by prioritizing the view of Camelback Mountain , placing the great room and primary suite in positions to make the most of it. The great room features floor to ceiling pocketing glass doors on both sides of the room, captu ring the cool breezes that come up the mountain and opening out onto front and rear patios for seamless indoor outdoor living.
To honor the iconic midcentury neighbor, T he Ranch Mine incorporate d midcentury modern design elements in the design in fresh, contemporary way s . The front patio is perhaps the most clear midcentury connection, using breezeblock to screen the road and focus the view towards the mountain beyond. The architects used breezeblock from a local company in a more grandiose scale than most midcentury applications.
The exterior patios and walkways are flagstone and t he entry of the house is highlighted by a singular date palm tree growing through a triangular aperture to the sky, referencing Albert Frey’s entry to Palm Springs City Hall. Th e architects then used the Date palm leaf as pattern inspiration throughout the home, such as the wood details behind the bar and the midcentury - like screen wall to the formal sitting area. The interior palette is restrained to let the mountain and midcent ury design elements come to the forefront, using concrete floors, plaster in the primary bath and shower and a combination of walnut, white oak, and matte black cabinetry.
Team:
Architects: The Ranch Mine
Builder: Minnewaska
Photographer: Dan Ryan Studio
