Desert Joel by Kendle Design Collaborative in Paradise Valley, Arizona

Project: Desert Joel
Architects: Kendle Design Collaborative
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona, USA
Area: 8,226 sq ft (brutto built)
Photographs: Kevin Brost

Desert Joel by Kendle Design Collaborative

From a distance, the building is hidden behind a unique rocky outcrop on the southern part of the lot. As you drive along the winding driveway, this hidden treasure reveals itself through a carefully planned house layout that preserves and values this natural feature rather than imposing its will on the rocky formation. A simple color palette of textured blocks and integrated colored cement stucco helps integrate the Desert Joel home into this richly hilly lot.

To maximize natural open space on the site, the house program is arranged with main public areas on the upper floor. Stretching through a basement main entrance and garage, entertainment zones, terrace, main bedrooms, and office offer an amazing and continuous view of the surrounding environment.

Inside, a cascading wooden staircase with a stone-backed wall leads from the entrance to the main level. Upon arrival at the spacious room, visitors are greeted by a bright space with an amazing mountain view behind them as soft daylight filters through the clerestory. Interiors are executed in a minimalist palette of concrete floors, natural stone, glossy kitchen cabinets, and dark bronze anodized accents.

Expanded glass in the spacious room is supported by structural glass ribs to minimize obstructions to sightlines. This defines a movement zone leading to the family room and kitchen, which feature sliding glass doors that disappear behind a fireplace or slide to one side for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The outdoor space includes various gathering, relaxation, or fire-pit enjoyment zones arranged around an L-shaped pool. The pool house located on this level, above the natural ground level, creates a negative edge effect reflecting panoramic views beyond.

-Project description and images provided by Kendle Design Collaborative

Drawings