2002 | Scottsdale, AZ | Private Residence | 4,600 sq ft
Hillside contours, boulder field, distant views, and stands of old saguaro, shape the cast-in-place concrete ledge. Interlocking the curvilinear retaining walls, a protective shell of oxidized titanium plates integrates the “scorpion” forms with desert shadow.
An inverted conical shape roof unifies the continuous interior, defends against a western solar exposure and responds to the incline of the land. Multiple center points are subordinate to the radial joint grid generated by the hemispherical pool. Program elements are directed to, across, and beyond the seemingly suspended disk of blue water leaking through a coping sieve of two-hundred and fifty-four stainless steel nipples.
Although the entry sequence straddles a small, yet significant canyon, the resulting upper landing bridge allows the existing drainage pattern to continue undisturbed. The beautiful arroyo view is only revealed after stair ascension and passage through the creature’s concrete backbone.
Awards
2004
American Architecture Exhibition and Distinguished Building Awards
The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design
2004
Design Awards
Honorable Mention
2004
Metal Architecture
2003
American Institute of Architects – Western Mountain Region
Merit Award
2003
The Arizona Home Book Design Excellence Awards
Gold, Architecture under 5,000 SF
Gold, Custom Metal Work
Gold, Stone and Tile
Silver, Fireplaces
2003
Phoenix Home & Garden
Arizona Homes of the Year Honor Award
2003
Valley Forward Association
Environmental Excellence Awards
Merit Award – Single Family Residence
Publications
Books:
2005
ARCHITECTURE HIGHLIGHTS
Shanglin A & C Limited (China), Yanli Hu (Chief Editor)
2005
GRAPHIC STANDARDS DETAILS: OPENINGS
Published by John Wiley and Sons, Wendy Talarico (Editor in Chief)
2005
SPAS FOR YOUR HOME
Hh4rper Collins Publishers, Collins Design & LOFT Publications
2003
ARIZONA HOME BOOK
The Ashley Group, Publisher, The Design Excellence Awards
2003
MORE SPECTACULAR POOLS
Paco Asensio, (Publisher – Italy), Pere Plannells (Photographer)
2003
POOLS
Feierabend Verlag Publishing (Germany), Pere Plannells (Photographer)
Magazines:
2006
AD (Italy) – March
2006
CUSTOM HOME – Summer
2005
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST – May
O’Rourke Residence
2004
ARIZONA FOOTHILLS CUSTOM HOMES
2003
ARIZONA FOOTHILLS – September
2003
DESERT LIVING MAGAZINE – March / April
2003
MAISIONS, COTE SUD (France) – April / May
2003
PHOENIX HOME AND GARDEN – September
TV – Film – Radio:
2007
Discovery Real Time Series (Europe) – Winter
“Ultimate House”