In plain sight

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First, do no harm was the guiding tenet behind the construction of this desert home

An exterior view of this Tuscan desert home, escarpment, fell, geological phenomenon, highland, mount scenery, mountain, mountain pass, mountain range, mountainous landforms, plant community, ridge, shrubland, sky, tree, valley, wilderness, gray, teal — An exterior view of this Tuscan desert home, landscaped gardens, cactus/desert plants, pool

An exterior view of this Tuscan desert home, outdoor structure, property, roof, sky, gray

An exterior view of this Tuscan desert home, architecture, home, house, outdoor structure, property, real estate, roof, sky, wall, gray

An exterior view of this Tuscan desert home, cottage, elevation, estate, facade, home, house, landscaping, mansion, property, real estate, residential area, roof, villa, window, gray

A view of the outdoor entertainment area with estate, home, interior design, living room, property, real estate, resort, window, white, black

A view of the double height foyer in architecture, ceiling, door, estate, floor, flooring, furniture, home, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, wall, window, window treatment, wood, gray, brown

An interior view of the living area featuring home, interior design, living room, lobby, room, window, gray

A view of the dining and kitchen areas ceiling, dining room, floor, flooring, furniture, hardwood, home, interior design, laminate flooring, living room, room, table, wall, wood, wood flooring, brown, gray

An interior view of the living area featuring ceiling, curtain, furniture, interior design, living room, property, room, window, window covering, window treatment, brown, red

A view of the dining and kitchen areas cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, dining room, interior design, kitchen, room, brown

A view of the dining and kitchen areas chair, dining room, furniture, home, interior design, living room, room, table, wall, window, window covering, orange, brown

A view of the master bedroom, carpet flooring, bed frame, bedroom, ceiling, estate, furniture, interior design, room, suite, brown, gray

Visual amenity, or the collective impact of observable components that contribute to the pleasantness and character of a locality, ranks high on the wish list of most homeowners when building. In most instances though, consideration of visual amenity pertains solely to the exterior of the building.

For the house featured on these pages and for any property situated in an unspoiled location visual amenity extends well beyond the building itself, says architect Ron Robinette, AIA, principal of Robinette Architects.

"Arizona has some of the most comprehensive environmental regulations in the world. Great care is taken to ensure the impact of any structure, especially in rural areas such as this, is kept to the absolute minimum both visually and physically."

Robinette describes the house as a fusion of Regional Southwestern and Old World styles a blending that fulfills both the environmental and the homeowners' requirements.

"The owners wanted to create an Old World home, but didn't want to go Tuscan, or for it to be ostentatious. So we incorporated architectural elements indigenous to this region onto the Old World palette. The result is a home that could, at first glance, satisfy the definition of either style."

The home's exterior materials were specified to give the impression of age. The mottled plaster finish, colored to match the surrounding desert hills, antiqued timber beams, clay roof tiles and regional stone all convey a permanence. When viewed in context, it seems as if the structure is a natural part of the surrounding landscape.

Maintaining a cohesive, low-impact relationship between the site's built and natural environments was the main driving force in the design of the home. Minimizing impact while maximizing visual access was a priority, says Robinette.

"The view was everything. Luckily, the size and remoteness of the site meant that privacy was assured. This allowed for a lot of open, exterior living areas, as well as expansive glazing, to enhance the sense of connectedness with the outside."

The expansive windows also provide passive solar energy.

"Orientation was perhaps the biggest factor in keeping the home comfortable.One of the happy coincidences with this project was that the best views were located to the south and east of the property. The large south-facing windows make the most of that view, and permit heat gain during winter. Similarly, windows to the east make use of the less intense morning sun, while minimal windows on the west face keep that side of the home cooler," says Robinette.

Once again, the materials used play a vital role in the home's comfort. The plaster walls, up to 2.5ft thick, contribute to the home's passive energy properties.

As well as comfortable, the interior had to be practical, and Robinette says one of the standout features in both respects is the mesquite flooring.

"Aside from a couple of carpeted areas, the entire home including the bathrooms has hardwood floors. I used mesquite because, of all of the timbers for flooring, it doesn't require much care and holds up well under day-to-day use, especially in wet areas. Mesquite is also endemic to the region and provides another link between the house and the environment."