“Creativity and discovery flourish alongside expertise and experience” is one of the credos of Tucson, Arizona-based studio Rick Joy.
For twenty years, this cooperative practice has been creating committed architecture that blends into its environment to become real scenes of everyday life. Respect for craftsmanship gives rise to designs and materials that respect the culture of the place. The Nomad House is a case in point. This family home, set in the arid American desert, is divided into three individual structures to enhance the experience within the spaces and take advantage of the multiple solar lights.
In harmony with the landscape
These boxes, clad in steel plates, blend into the landscape, promoting low ecological impact and balance among the variety of cacti and native plants. “The living space enjoys an intense view to the southeast, where the setting sun highlights a large, steep hill,” explains the studio, “As night falls, the lights of the city of Tucson emerge. From the room, the rising sun illuminates a breathtaking rock face atop the mountains to the southwest. As for the reflected light, it illuminates the saguaros and ocotillos in the foreground.” The interiors match the exteriors.
Maple wood panels line the spaces, where art and sculpture take the centre stage, illuminated by translucent glass partitions. As for the terrace, which crowns each cubicle, it completes the Nomad House’s success in taking full advantage of the desert night sky.
Crédits photos © Jeff Goldberg / ESTO or Bill Timmerman