Architecture firm The Ranch Mine was commissioned to design a house for a family in Phoenix, Arizona, that wanted to build a home on a vacant lot.
The lot had a mountain view but came with a concave property line that narrowed the allowable building depth in the middle of the long lot to just 20 feet, presenting an interesting design challenge.
Let’s take a look around…
The Facade
One of the key design elements of the home is the use of concrete blocks (cinder blocks), that have been used for a variety of areas, such as the facade. The concrete blocks are used for the walls of the house and the low fence surrounding a front porch.
The Front Porch With Outdoor Fire
The semi-public front porch furnished with a fire pit and seating projects out from the front of the house to take advantage of the mountain views.
The Front Door + Foyer
An oversized wood front door with a metal frame pivots to create an eye-catching entryway that opens to a foyer. A small garden is featured on both the exterior and interior of the home.
The Great Room
A hemlock-clad ceiling spans the great room, which involves the living room, kitchen, and dining room. The ceiling is tilted upwards to take in the views.
The Dining Area + Kitchen
The open-plan dining room and kitchen include concrete flooring, a wood dining table, and a large kitchen with an expansive island with a raised section that acts as a bar.
The Pantry
The kitchen also includes a large walk-in pantry with dark blue minimalist cabinets, that provide plenty of storage room.
The Sliding Opaque Doors
Pocketing glass doors of the great room open the interior space up to the rear covered patio that frames the same view to be enjoyed while living outdoors.
The glass doors are equipped with Gauzy, a light control glass nanotechnology that allows the glass to change from transparent to opaque for privacy and energy control.
The Covered Outdoor Patio
The rear covered patio can be accessed through 3 different pocketing glass doors, as well as a custom, modern take on a dutch door. The patio features a large sweeping tilted roof, known as “Big Top”, which is a nod to the idea that family life can often feel like a circus under one roof.
The patio includes a fireplace that is also used for cooking, built-in benches that flank the fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a lounge area, and a customized screen with their family emblem.
The Swimming Pool
The home and patio open up to the swimming pool and further outdoor space that’s furnished with sun loungers and benches.
The Music Room
A detached 500 square foot music studio provides a place to play and record music, and there’s a hidden roof deck on top for views of the valley.
The Primary Bedroom
Back inside the main house, we see the primary suite features a private outdoor patio and a luxurious en-suite bathroom.
The Primary Bathroom + Outdoor Shower
The bathroom continues the indoor-outdoor theme of the house’s main living areas with a naturally lit shower and bathing area that opens out to an outdoor shower, screened from the nearby neighbor with a custom steel slatted wall. Glazed green wall tiles have been used to create a unique look for the bathroom.
The Guest Bathroom
In a guest bathroom there’s a floating vanity with wood cabinet underneath, and a large black framed octagonal mirror that complements the black hexagonal tiles in the shower.
Floor Plan And Elevations
