Diapause
An instrument tuned to the majesty of the Sky Islands.
This small house near the Arizona/Mexico border is designed for maximum efficiency. Due to the remote location, the structure is “off-grid” with rainwater collection, solar power, and propane. The simple plan has no wasted circulation and multifunctional spaces. In addition to large sliding glass doors that flank the central space, there are small recesses operable upper windows on each side that, like nostrils, filter the cool breezes from the canyon and optimize the view and solar orientation. The house's exterior is clad in unpainted concrete hardy boards in a clapboard pattern. Two full-height custom aluminum barn doors allow the house to be “locked down” to protect against wildlife and border crossers and to filter light in the summer. The roof deck over the carport is a protected area for sleeping under the stars.
Private Residence
Portal, Arizona
1000 ft²
Photography
Prasad Boradkar + Heidi Fischer