Tucson Mountain Retreat

Arizona / US

A

Many buildings are described as being settled into their landscape, but

in the case of this home in the desert of Sagaro National Park a connec-

tion is palpable in every single element. The architects, Dust, are

a

group of artists, craftspeople and designers rooted in the maste

r

builder tradition, and it was to them that the owners turned to root th

e

house in the Arizona landscape. Built using the rammed earth tech

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nique, the very walls of the space echo the tactile, visual and eve

n

auditory qualities of the desert. The layout comprises three zones, fo

r

living, sleeping, and for entertaining and recording music (hence th

e

importance of acoustic separation), with the route between them bein

g

the courtyard outside, encouraging a

fluid, indoor-outdoor existence.

Full-height glass opens up to the desert, creating stunning panorama

s

and flooding the rooms with rich yellow light. Modern, minimalis

t

furniture and sleek fittings enhance the timeless feel of the space

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