the red house
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P H O E N I X , A R I Z O N A
4601
n . r OYA L PA L M C I R C L E
contents 05
specs
16
elevations north + east
06
process
18
elevations south + west
08
site plan
21
green building features
09
area calculations
10
floor plan
12
reflected ceiling plan
14
materiality
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05
specs 4601 N. ROYAL PalM CIRCLE phoenix, arizona lot size 37842 ft2 residence 3,815 ft2 - 5,125 ft2 4 bed, 4.5 bath
Situated on a flat lot at the end of an Arcadia cul-de-sac, the The Red House coexists naturally amidst the iconic Camelback Mountain to the north and the dense composition of neighborhood trees to the south. Its design is driven by simple geometry and clean lines, a style commonly seen in the many mid-century modern homes in the Arcadia district. Design concept and solution: the house, tailored for five, accommodates for the needs of the contemporary family by providing a simple living template. The template effectively fosters a lifestyle that encourages activity beyond the household. The indoor-outdoor balance is sustained by comfortable exterior living spaces in all parts of the home. A monolithic rammed earth wall frames the primary living space of the home. This space then generates private living volumes on a perpendicular axis that are prominent on the site, but retain a secluded privacy in the neighborhood. These volumes of the Red House use weathered steel panels and varying elevations to create a seamless dialogue with Camelback Mountain and its deep red hues of during the Arizona sunset.
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ground mass to site
elongate house to respond to Camelback Mountain and site dimensions
define programmatic uses: service - social - private - outdoor
07
generate perpendicular private living volumes
submerge living volumes into site for home efficiency
process Upon entry, the grandparent suite introduces the home with its expansive red corten wall, but preserves the necessary privacy for the detached dwelling. A shaded, on-grade, walkway demarcates the front door to The Red House and brings the user into the main living space. The perpendicular volumes extending from the household are easily accessible from this area. A small private studio is detached from the main axis of the home to redefine the concept of a home office. Instead of being within the residence, the studio is accessed by an exterior pathway that leads through the home’s private garden - dissolving the idea that the user is working at home. This design decision minimizes distractions while in the workspace and boosts productivity.
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summer solstice pm
summer solstice am
winter solstice pm
winter solstice am
09
square footage indoor 895ft2
living / DINING
515 ft
kitchen
2
415 ft
2
KIDS ROOMS
465 ft
master suite
590 ft
grandparent suite
590 ft
SKY LOFT
2
2 2
405 ft
2
private office
outdoor
5215FT2
total
500 ft
pool
70 ft2
grandparent courtyard
3775FT2 1440FT2 37842FT2
indoor outdoor lot area
80 ft2
master courtyard
270 ft2
FRONT PATIO
270 ft2
living courtyard
140ft2
sky loft patio
2
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7
8 11
4 13
1 7
14
9 7
16
15
7
dn UP
12
6
2 11
UP
14
02
3 7
UP
5
15 4
8
12
16
5 10
28
12
11
7
11
floor plan 1
ENTRY
9
2
kitchen
10 private studio
3
LIVING / DINING
11
1/2 bathroom
4
grandparent suite
12
botanical garden
5
kids rooms
13
garage
6
master suite
14
natural breezeway
7
outdoor patio
15
utility
8
sky loft
16
storage
pool
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13
reflected ceiling plan Grade changes are a highly influential piece of The Red House’s design. While the principal entry points into the residence remain on-grade (including the grandparent suite for comfortable access), other livable areas experience a 2’0” below grade change. These areas include the living/dining, the kids’ rooms avnd the master suite. The change in grade not only helps keep the house cool during the blistering hot Phoenix summers but it also helps mask the surrounding neighborhood for more private areas. Additionally, masking the neighborhood creates picturesque frames of Camelback Mountain for the family to enjoy.
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materiality MATERIAL
usage
rammed earth
feature wall
precast concrete
residence walls
polished concrete
flooring
corten steel
exterior cladding
CONCRETE MASONRY (CMU)
breezeway walls
ROLLED steel beams
patio shading
weathered steel posts
front fence
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SOUTH ELEVATION 1/8” - 1’0”
east elevation 1/8” - 1’0”
17
Unique to The Red House is a front yard that hosts the pool and grill. Although these elements are more forward in the house, their privacy is not compromised. From Royal Palm Circle, thick desert brush and a low tree canopy masks the front area. Views from the pool and grill are composed of the desert brush as the middle ground and the ridge of Camelback Mountain as the backdrop.
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north elevation 1/8” - 1’0”
west ELEVATION 1/8” - 1’0”
19
The Red House features a sky loft that is situated directly above the kitchen area. As an extension to the primary living area, the sky loft serves as a more informal living space for the family. The exterior patio serves as an area to disconnect from the planes of the home and connect with the Arcadia community as well as Camelback Mountain.
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21
green building features minimal use of glass to reduce home maintenance, solar heat gain, and need for lighting sources during the day preservation of existing vegetation on site use of natural desert xeriscape and no grass reduces the home’s water consumption natural desert habitat encourages indigenous wildlife to occupy the site again lower water use toilets and showers installed natural breezeways along the south of the site increase airflow on south walls and cool central living spaces below-grade construction for principal living spaces cools the building naturally pool location allows summer winds to blow over the pool and cool primary living spaces rammed earth construction utilizes soil from the site and provides natural insulating effects to livable outdoor areas polished concrete floors feature radiant in-floor heating to distribute thermal energy equally while reducing creation of dust permeable exterior surfaces including driveways and pathways permit rainwater percolation weathered steel panels share a ventilation gap with thick concrete for natural cooling effects low maintenance materials throughout the site enhance the home’s lifespan
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the red house
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