House in Clearwater Hills

An existing rock retaining wall was salvaged and extended to form the shell of the curvilinear guesthouse. The main house is rectangular and disciplined, with a clear structural logic. The composition captures views and offers different spaces for activities that change with the seasons and times of day.

To address the desert climate, the home is oriented to the southern view, where the large overhang shades the patio. Storage and closet areas block the hot western sun. The V-shaped roof collects rain water so it does not flood the patios. The north patio, protected between the house and the mountainside, has its own microclimate. During temperate times, the natural breezes coming up from the valley flow through sliding doors along both sides and cool the home.

Form and materials create a natural relationship with the rocky hillside.