Ventana House
4,400 square feet | tucson, arizona
architect: repp + mclain design & construction
general contractor: repp + mclain design & construction
materials: concrete and steel
photographs: Roehner + Ryan
Designed as a private sanctuary, Ventana House is a place to retreat and reflect. Located on a steep hillside overlooking the urban sprawl, the residence feels worlds away from the city below. Its cast-in-place concrete walls anchor the structure into the rugged terrain, grounding the architecture within the landscape. This mass is contrasted by a delicate scrim that appears to float above the living spaces, all tucked safely beneath the deep shadows of a large cowboy hat roof—an essential shield against the desert sun.
A place of quiet & mass. These words are the initial direction received from the client.
The home is designed as a contemplated space that provides a respite from the intensity of the client’s work.
The ground level interior is white walls, white millwork and concrete to let the view become the focal point. The second level is textured with a walnut ceiling that flows down the walls and patinaed hot rolled steel to create a warm introspective focus.
In order to minimize the footprint on the desert hillside, the larger second floor effortlessly floats over the heavy concrete walls. Drawing desert inspiration, the large overhanging roof acts as a nurse tree providing shade from the intense sun. A steel scrim floats off the wall and provides continual shade much like the ribs of a Saguaro.
Materials
- Poured in place concrete
- Steel
- Wood
