Blocks of concrete, stucco, and glass form the exterior of a house by architecture firm Kendle Design Collaborative that encompasses its location in the Arizona desert. Echo Canyon Residence is located on a wedge-shaped lot near Camelback Mountain, one of the city’s landmarks. The home is located near Camelback Mountain in Phoenix. The house was designed by local company Kendle Design Collaborative for a couple with empty nests. An important goal of the project was to create a strong connection with the environment. In response, the team designed a series of volumes of different sizes that are arranged around outdoor spaces. Several curved elements soften the otherwise straightforward appearance of the single-storey residential building. Curved elements soften the largely straight house exterior walls consist of split-face concrete masonry (CMUs), stucco and large glass surfaces. Both in terms of composition and materiality, the home should be a study of the layering of different opacities. “The play of opacity and transparency that flows through the house strengthens the relationship with nature and the mountains while distilling a Zen-like quality,” said the team. The Ranch Mine is building casiTa guest house in the back yard of Phoenix The entrance is on the north side, where the architect has placed a garage with glazed doors and a rounded block wall. “A curved log wall with sandblasted glass panels and a gate hides a quaint courtyard full of yuccas, agaves, and an ironwood tree that filters the speckled light along the walkway to the house,” the team said. A slim skylight above the fireplace brings light into the large room. The 362 square meter house is divided into three parts. The public area is in the center of the house, while the bedrooms are in two adjacent wings. The foyer leads to an open living, kitchen and dining area. On one side of the large room there is a 4.2 meter high glass wall that offers a wide view of the surrounding landscape. Light brown floor tiles and walnut furniture can be found in the kitchen. A continuous Douglas fir clad the ceiling of the public area and an adjoining eaves and helps to unite the indoor and outdoor spaces. An earthy color palette has been used for surfaces and decor, which also includes light brown floor tiles and walnut kitchen furniture. A fireplace is set in a wide frame made of porcelain tiles with a metallic finish. A terrace overlooks a rock formation called Praying Monk. There is a slim skylight above the stove that extends the entire length of the large room. The aperture brings in natural light and introduces interesting shadows throughout the day. “This unique property allows the house to tell the time in a way,” said the architect. “During the day, the shadows and the quality of light in the interior are constantly developing.” The entrance to Echo Canyon Residence’s public area merges with a covered terrace where friends and family can meet and enjoy the uninterrupted view of a rock formation called Praying Monk. A circular opening in the canopy lets the daylight glide overhead over the terrace. Behind the terrace is a courtyard that offers space for grandchildren and dogs. It also features a linear fire pit – a welcome amenity on a cool desert night. A circular opening in the canopy of the terrace Kendle Design Collaborative was founded in 2002 by architect Brent Kendle. Other projects by the studio are the Dancing Light House with a dramatically angular roof and walls made of rammed earth and concrete. The photography is by Kevin Brost. Project references: Architect: Kendle Design CollaborativeLandscape Architect: Steve Martino & AssociatesGeneral Contractor: Gm Hunt Builders & RemodelersAppliances: Wolf / SubzeroShading-System: LutronWindows and Doors: Western Window Systems
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