Critter Story Architects Corner

If you’re lucky enough to see one of these fabulous lizards in Saguaro Ranch, here’s a little bit about the critters who share our desert home. The Gila monster is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. These slow-moving creatures are known for their distinctive appearance, with bright orange and black scales and stocky build. Despite their fearsome reputation, Gila monsters are quite docile and are not aggressive toward humans unless provoked.

Gila monsters primarily spend their time hiding in burrows or under rocks. They are active during the day and most seen during the spring and summer months. They are carnivorous and feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals, frogs, insects, birds, and reptiles.

While their bite is extremely painful, it is not usually fatal to humans. Gila monsters are protected by law in Arizona and are considered an important part of the desert ecosystem.

Near the entry gate sits Lot 08, featuring mounds of majestic boulders and plentiful mature saguaros that makes this a special place. “We’re hugging into these natural features,” says architect Greg Simmons. “We want the homeowner to really enjoy it, almost as if the natural world is an easy extension of the master bathroom and bedroom suite on the east side of the property.”

Simmons is a licensed designer with a strong reputation in the Tucson area. On Lot 08, he’s building a spec home for an investor client that promises to capture every magical aspect of the property. “On the west side,” he continues, “there’s a high peak and a wash right off the study that attracts wildlife like coyotes, deer, and more. We call this area the sunset patio. It’s a destination area.”

The house itself is desert modern, working with elements and colors that are found in the desert, from the natural stone to the color of the stucco walls. When looking through the house from the front, you can take in the sparkling backyard pool below breathtaking vistas of the Tortolita Mountains.