Desert Comfort Residence

This modern home in Arizona creates a powerful sense of place by integrating quietly into the landscape while minimizing its impact on the desert ecosystem. The client is a leading Building Science expert, so when he commissioned the architecture firm to design his own home, he envisioned a high-performance, net zero home that incorporated the principles of Building Science and best practices for thermal efficiency, energy consumption, water management and indoor air quality. The architecture firm responded to the site and the client’s objectives with an intriguing juxtaposition of pavilions with overhangs and low walls that shield the interiors from the harsh sunlight. The main pavilion is oriented on an east-west axis, with south-facing windows placed high and close to overhangs to mitigate direct solar heat gain. The building utilizes energy efficient systems and products, potable water and landscape irrigation systems, indoor air quality solutions, and connected/smart technologies. All of these components were fully integrated to lower the overall energy demand and enable an efficient, onsite renewable energy system to offset grid-delivered electricity. Materials and components were selected for thermal performance, structural capacity, long-term durability and the environmental cost of extraction and manufacturing. More than a reflection of the client’s design aesthetic, the project reflects his core values, including a healthy indoor environment, energy efficiency, durability to withstand the harsh desert climate, and longevity.