Camelback Mountain, one of the most prominent mountains in the Phoenix metropolitan area, rises 1,334’ above the surrounding basin. The Copper Canyon House rests near the mountain’s base, 1,207’ below the summit, in a field of boulders, natural washes, and a lush Sonoran Desert landscape. The mountain casts a shadow over the site in the winter months, preventing the use of solar panels. At the same time, the morning and afternoon summer sun circumvents the mountain and intensely shines into the depths of the property. The house appears as a thin copper tent pitched on a cantilevered concrete slab surfing over a wave of boulders.
The iconic folded copper skin acts as a heat shield, shrouding a large open central space that visually and seamlessly allows the mountain landscape to pass through the center of the house, connecting the ground with the view. Flanking this pavilion-like canopy is a series of carved cave-like masonry rooms that provide respite and privacy. The simple form and rigorous material palette that echoes the mountain create a new form for a 21st-century desert dwelling. The thin roof is tailored to eliminate unsightly roof penetrations while mitigating the intense east and west desert solar exposure.
The glass and doors are recessed from the edge of the tent to maximize shading, while the garage doors sit flush with the standing seam skin, blending into the east facade and preserving the tent’s form. One of the hallmarks of the Copper Canyon House is the integration of the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems (all coordinated in BIM), to create clear datums throughout the house that seamlessly bring together these various systems. For example, all of the ductwork and automation is hidden behind custom CNC-routed Corian grilles integrated into the web of the steel wide-flange transfer beams.
This same datum also contains lighting and window treatments, keeping the systems clean and aesthetically integrated. The house’s architectural design harnesses natural light and shields the interior from the harsh desert heat. The sides of the east (entry) and west (exit to yard) feature deep vertical slots skillfully carved into the structure to block the low morning and evening sun. Using sustainable weathering materials, including copper, cedar, and CMU, reduces maintenance and creates a natural palette that resonates with the mountain terrain, inspiring a new era of eco-friendly design.
Category:Mixed-Use BuildingsYear:2023Location:Paradise Valley, Arizona, USAArchitects:Architecture-Infrastructure-Research, Inc.Lead Architects:Darren Petrucci and Joe PritchardLandscape Architects:Natalie Hakim, All Terrain Landscaping, and Architecture-Infrastructure-Research Inc.Design Team: Scott SickelerContractor:Build, Inc.Client: PrivatePhotographer: Bill Timmerman and CJ Gershon (Drone Photos)
