Client Brief:
After a decade of living below their means and surviving the Great Recession saving every penny they could, the homeowners reached out to us with a modest budget and big dreams. The clients purchased their property in 2007 with the long-term goal of transforming the outdated house into a modern, functional home that reflected their lifestyle. They wanted a design that embraced the surrounding desert landscape and integrated indoor-outdoor living spaces for them, their friends and family, and two rescue dogs to enjoy.
Location:
Located in a nook just south of a mountain preserve in Phoenix, Arizona, the home is ideally situated for exploring nearby desert trails. The design needed to respond to the desert climate by incorporating shading and indoor-outdoor transitions while maximizing the site’s potential for mountain views and creating a comfortable environment in the intense sun.
Design Solution:
"Pleats" draws inspiration from the iconic Saguaro cactus, reflecting its form and texture in the design. The home is arranged around a three-sided courtyard that centers on a pool, creating a private outdoor living space. To keep costs manageable, the foundation of the original house was reused, while a new gabled volume with high ceilings was added to bring in mountain views and create an open great room that connects to the outdoors. The gabled roof provides additional shade to the courtyard, helping to manage the harsh afternoon sun. Corrugated metal cladding on the gabled volume gives the home its name, "Pleats," mimicking the exterior of the Saguaro cactus. The entry features a wood rainscreen reminiscent of the cactus's forked ribs, while the recessed entry echoes the holes in Saguaros, which desert animals use as shelter. A camouflaged door in the recessed entry provides direct access to the guest suite. The interior design blends mid-century modern, industrial, and European influences. Clean, European hardware and fixtures were selected, while walnut cabinetry, accent lighting, and furniture add a mid-century touch. Concrete floors, a stainless steel countertop in the kitchen, and perforated steel patio covers embrace the industrial aesthetic while maintaining a cohesive modern feel.
Result:
"Pleats" is the culmination of the homeowners' patience and vision, transforming their once-outdated house into a modern, inviting home that reflects their love for the desert. The design balances functionality, aesthetics, and a deep connection to the surrounding landscape. The homeowners say ‘Pleats’ is “the first home we’ve opened up to all friends and family because we’re so proud to call it home!”
