section cut showing hierarchy of living spaces
Residing Within the Desert The desert is replete with opposites - light and dark, day and night, extreme heat and extreme cold. A singularity that plays a major role in these opposites is the sun. During the night, all light has dissipated, leaving only the stars to provide light and the cold emptiness to permeate. During the day, the sharp rays of sunlight create crisp shadows on the desert floor. Designing a residence in this extreme climate posed a formidable challenge. To mitigate the extremes in temperature, a thick thermal mass wall was placed around the perimeter, consisting of two materials - C.M.U.’s and concrete. Thermal massing was continued into the floor. Several sizes and shapes of glazing were utilized. Tall, thin glass sheets were placed at specific overlapping walls to create the illusion of disappearing boundaries.
floor plan and site plan
PROCESS
Orientation of the residence was vital in order to maximize utility within specific spaces. The rising sun brings light into the sleeping quarters, exercise room and kitchen to awaken the family. The mid-day sun passes over the house, beginning to heat the thermal masses. The afternoon sun brings light into the office, entry, and dining area. The fenestrations in these areas are specifically sized for the function of each space half wall of glazing in the office for diversity of space, and punched squares in the entry for dynamic shadow casting across the floor.