Arizona Courtyard House

Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman

ARIZONA COURTYARD HOUSE

Optima DCHGlobal

AREA
5000 ft²

YEAR
2017

PHOTOGRAPHS
Bill Timmerman

CATEGORY
Houses, Sustainability

LOCATION
Paradise Valley, United States

Text description provided by architect.

Arizona Courtyard House is a pavilion constructed with a system of standardized Corten steel structural components.

Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman
Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman

The home demonstrates the flexibility of this sustainable building system to create a house of linear volumes, arranged to define a courtyard, with the main house to the south and east, a fitness center and lap pool to the north, and mountain views to the west.

It’s set on a plinth of concrete that rises 16” above the terrain, used to redirect stormwater around the house.

The house is an open plan, based on a 7’ x 7’ modular system with columns spaced at 21’ on center. The two-way structural framing system allows for extensive cantilevers.

Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman
Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman

Corten steel was selected for its sustainable characteristics, and aesthetics, as its weathering is complementary to desert colors.

The structural components are open to view, creating a contrast to the highly polished concrete floor throughout the house.

Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman
Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman

The grid of beams overhead defines the ceiling and flows beyond the glass enclosure to create outdoor rooms in the courtyard, blurring the distinction between inside and out.

Perforated, Corten roof panels allow filtered daylight from the sun to reach the courtyard below.

Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman
Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman

The exterior enclosure of the house is glass, with perforated sunscreens and press-formed louvers layered in front of the glass where shade or privacy is needed.

This creates a sense of daylight in all interior spaces and a rich texture of shades and shadows on the exterior.

Interior finishes were selected to achieve warmth. Extensive millwork of natural cherry, European oak, and walnut are used throughout.

Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman
Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman

Area rugs are placed on the polished concrete floor, with red MMA floor mats used at circulation areas.

Draperies with high translucency create privacy while allowing light and views to the courtyard and mountains. The home was built in under five months.

The home was built in under five months.

Arizona Courtyard House
© Bill Timmerman


Arizona Courtyard House
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