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Magnificent Achitectural Beauty a Window into Geologic Time in Arizona

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An utterly sleek and perfectionist place is crafted by Wendell Burnette Architects in the timeless Arizona desert.

The plinth was cast in place with one material throughout.

The architects intended that “a wall, a floor, a ramp, a step, or a bench could be experienced as part of one contiguous stone.”

By working the surfaces of the plinth “in order to reveal the composite qualities of the material, sand, conglomerate gravel, pebbles, broken stone, in a cement matrix.”

Fire, set within an arid stone environment, is used as a feature.

The local hard aggregate cast stone forms the polished interior floor surface as well as the exterior.

Between glass surfaces, small courtyards with sand, the finest of the aggregates used.

Massive rammed earth walls are backed up against leather furnishings.

An artfully placed cactus becomes like a sculpture in the courtyard.

The interior detailing is as precise and scrupulous as the exterior architecture.

The fascinating textural palette bounces a rough rammed earth wall against a rusty leather headboard and polished copper cabinetry.

Deep within the dark opaque stone of the residence, a translucent blue shower appears suddenly like gift.

The surprise of a glimpse of translucence picking up light hidden behind a black toilet and bounced off a rammed earth wall.

Altogether, an impeccably put together project, crammed with well-conceived textural experiences.

The architects succeed in their mission to “provide a window into the geologic time” of the extraordinary site.