Hive

Client Brief:

The clients emphasized their love for togetherness, dining with friends and family, and a strong connection to natural light, open spaces, and the outdoors. They wanted a home that facilitated these experiences while also providing privacy and flexibility for both family and guests.

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Location:

The home is located on a flag lot in Paradise Valley, Arizona, which provided privacy despite its close proximity to urban amenities. While privacy was a benefit, the unique six-sided lot, accessed by a narrow 300-foot-long drive, provided design challenges in conjunction with the strict zoning regulations.

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Design Solution:

Inspired by the clients’ desire for informal indoor-outdoor living, we reimagined the classic American Ranch or Rambler, which were ultimately about sunshine and informal indoor/outdoor living, for modern living. The home extends out into the landscape, creating a courtyard-style layout that embraces the family and visitors upon arrival. A gabled roof marks the entrance and main living space, while flat roofs maintain the low, linear profile typical of midcentury ranch homes and meet local zoning restrictions. Inside, the main living area welcomes guests with views that extend through the house to the outdoor patio, pool, and fire pit. The design emphasizes natural light and ventilation, with cross-ventilated rooms such as the office and kitchen flanking the living area. A poured-in-place concrete fireplace anchors the great room, and pocketing glass doors blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The bedroom wing is separated from the living areas, providing privacy for the family. It includes a den, a homework area, and a mudroom with a dog wash. The guest house, separated from the main house by the garage, offers independence and privacy for visiting family, including the client’s parents, who escape to the warmth of Arizona during the winter.

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Result:

"Hive" is a national award-winning, modern take on the American Ranch house, designed to enhance the clients’ love for communal living and outdoor connection. The home offers a blend of privacy, natural light, and flexible spaces for family and guests, all while maintaining a low, linear profile that fits seamlessly into the unique constraints of its lot and location.