Client Brief:
This project was our first "spec" or speculative house and we wanted to do something different in the valley, to show that a modern house didn't have to just be a shiny box. We wanted to use the proven climate successful Southwest courtyard style layout, and combine a simple, low maintenance exterior with an organic and warm interior.
Location:
Initially built by native dwellers 2000 years ago and rebuilt for modern society over a century ago are 181 miles of canals that bring water to the desert city of Phoenix, Arizona. Located on an irregular shaped, vacant lot along the Arizona Canal, the site provided an opportunity to engage with a historically significant but often overlooked feature of Phoenix’s urban fabric. The design also needed to respond to the desert climate by creating a variety of shaded outdoor spaces and using materials that could withstand the harsh sun.
Design Solution:
Because of it's unique location, we wanted to reflect the history of Arizona, and looked to the architectural heritage of southern Arizona’s missions. "Canal House" was designed as a modern interpretation of the mission-style architecture, with its rusted corrugated roof echoing the Spanish tile roofs and its elevation color pattern of white / adobe / white like San Xavier del Bac. The home was pushed to the furthest extents of the building setbacks on the irregular shaped lot, with its form strategically creating shade and privacy throughout the day. The design opens from interior spaces into multiple courtyards, each offering unique outdoor living experiences depending on the sun’s position. The dining courtyard, located off the kitchen, is shaded for most of the day, the central courtyard is anchored by a rusted steel-clad outdoor fireplace, providing a cozy separation between the living and sleeping wings of the house and an entry courtyard between the garage and the house offers a peaceful, contemplative space. Custom steel panels with a house-shaped pattern shade the great room doors in the shoulder seasons, adding both visual interest and functionality.
Result:
"Canal House" became what we dubbed "Modern Southwest." It reinterprets the mission architecture of southern Arizona while embracing its unique setting along the Arizona Canal. The design creates a strong connection between the home and its courtyards, offering comfortable, shaded outdoor spaces throughout the day. By using durable materials and simple forms, the home is well-suited to its desert environment and serves as a landmark to draw attention to Phoenix’s often-overlooked canal system, re-engaging the city with this vital resource.
