Red Rocks Residence Phoenix

Architect: The Ranch Mine, Red Rocks Residence Phoenix

Location: Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Attached on the side of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, a Spanish Colonial Revival-style house was transformed by The Ranch Mine architecture firm into the Red Rocks residence, a residence that creates and elevates a variety of experiences both with natural as well as with man. created environment.

When the homeowners approached Claire and Cavin Costello of The Ranch Mine about redesigning their mountainside home, they were frustrated by thick columns that blocked the view, heavy clay tiles and dark beams, and a floor plan that focused more in a ceremonial entrance from the indoor/outdoor lifestyle they craved.

It was clear very quickly to the design duo that although the Spanish Colonial Revival style can be beautiful in the right situations, the style of this house suppressed the potential of the site, or more simply, the house had style over substance.

The first move to remedy this situation was to remove the design features of the additions, leaving a simple 2-story stucco box.

Red Rocks Residence Phoenix

Inside the box, The Ranch Mine rearranged the floor plan to prioritize the connection between the home's living spaces and the main view, including a new steel, glass and wood staircase in a different location to allow views from the rear of the house through the front and into the valley beyond.

An additional en-suite bedroom was added via a second-story addition clad in raw, exposed Veracruz limestone, which cantilevers over the mountain to retain the maximum amount of outdoor living space and no longer intrude on space from the home's existing footprint. Instead of mimicking the red sedimentary sandstone of Camelback Mountain, the limestone was chosen to make the addition look like the calcite veins that often appear in red rocks, marking their time.

Along with this enclosed space, over 2000 square feet of shaded outdoor patios were created, extending the life of the house in every direction and providing shade to the interior spaces.

The first-floor covered patio, accessed by a custom swing gate by Bang Bang Designs, is lined with cobwebs to keep the space cool year-round in the desert heat, and turns the open living space into a hot tub and fireplace. and down to the pool area.

The large, south-facing second-floor patio, with Ipe roof and floor, features double-folding custom steel screens (also by Bang Bang Designs) that shield the deck from the harsh desert sun while allowing breezes through, but it can be folded away at dusk to enjoy the famous Arizona sunsets.

Its interior is mesmerizing

The screens feature a hexagonal pattern that is denser at the top and bottom, leaving the most visible area at eye level while sitting. Just to the side of this area is a walkout deck with custom planters that bring the desert into the master bedroom, adding color and refreshing scents.

Outside the new second floor bedroom, a modern take on Juliet's balcony cantilevers, almost kissing the mountain, creating a strong connection and an intimate moment.

Inside, a low-maintenance exposed concrete floor was poured on the first floor to cover the extensive work that needed to be done due to the failure of the existing house's plumbing and structural infrastructure, and the maple wood floors were retained for the second floor.

A fairly neutral palette of walnut and white cabinets with a variety of quartz countertops and marble tiles were used throughout to keep the red rocks as the primary material. living and dining areas to access a tranquil patio, and mirrors float above the master bathroom vanity in front of the raw mountain face to visually anchor the home to its unique location.

At the front, large windows immerse the homeowners in the view, and a small square window in the steam shower offers a stunning view of the skyline.

While design style is probably the most popular home design topic, with sites classified by style and guides that "identify your design style", the 'Red Rocks' residence revealed how a prescriptive style limited the website's possibilities. The solution was to throw away the rules and design amazing everyday experiences. Ultimately, homes are for the residents and should open up possibilities and connect us to our world.