Inspired by the works of renowned American artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, Weave is a house that stitches together modern conveniences with the southwestern vernacular.

Located in a historic district in the heart of uptown Phoenix, Arizona, the modern, single-level courtyard house is a tranquil escape from the desert heat. The charming, adobe-inspired structure is one of the latest works of Arizona’s award-winning architecture firm, The Ranch Mine. The team has gained international recognition through its modern approach in building timeless homes in the desert landscape, bringing beautiful and livable dwellings with a strong connection to its surrounding environment.

Weave was designed with two courtyards, a traditional private courtyard hidden from the street within the U-shaped floor plan, as well as a second, semi-public front courtyard. Using elements like desert paintings, stucco walls, and a steel planter in the front courtyard, the transition between the street and the house is softened to blend harmoniously into the desert backdrop. A welcoming entryway reinterprets the traditional, southwestern architectural elements such as vigas and latillas with a modern spin using a woven wooden ceiling from the homeowners’ own lumber mill. Thoughtful features such as the cushioned bancos benches on each side of the pivoting entry door provide the perfect resting spot to enjoy a cup of coffee outdoor or soak in the sun on a breezy day.

Inspired by the late American artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s adobe houses and patio painting series, the front elevation of the house is kept simple in its massing and materials, letting the ever-changing shadows and desert skies take center stage.

The private courtyard in the back is built to revolve around the pool, a joyous place for relaxation and cooling down from the desert heat. The pool also plays a vital role in adding humidity into the air, creating a more comfortable micro-climate for the shaded outdoor room which transitions into the house’s main living space, the Great Room. To add warmth to the cool desert nights, the design team added a steel-clad outdoor fireplace - a feature that gives homeowners the freedom to enjoy outdoor living all year round.

Within the private courtyard, a wall-hung kitchen on one side accommodates an outdoor grill, a sink, and plenty of counter space. To complete the courtyard, a shaded dining area was added adjacent to the kitchen to encourage outdoor gatherings with friends and family.

The Great Room at the heart of the house is anchored by a large kitchen with white oak cabinetry, honed marble counters, and a custom black steel hood range. The bright and airy space opens up to the private courtyard through two sets of bi-folding doors, welcoming cool breeze into the house on a hot day. By keeping the middle third of the wall in the Great Room closed-off from the exterior, spatial separation is achieved to define the living room, dining area, and kitchen. The design also helps with cross ventilation and maintains privacy from the neighbours who are just a few feet away.

To create coherency, the white oak cabinetry is continued throughout the house, transitioning into a storage vanity in the master bathroom. The minimalist bathroom boasts a walk-in shower area and copper soaking tub that can be transformed from a private retreat to an outdoor experience by opening the pivoting door custom-built by Identity Construction.

Much like artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s work, Weave’s design is derived from a focus on line, colour, and composition. Through the use of simple materials, the house’s distinctive geometries and low volume energize the vibrant desert skies, reinvigorating the residential architecture of the American southwest.

Project Details

Project Name: Weave

Date of Completion: March 2019

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Site Size: 9746 Square Feet

Project Size: 2543 Square Feet

Architect: The Ranch Mine

Builder: Identity Construction

Photographer: Roehner + Ryan