This article showcases the Desert Fairway Residence, a 7,195-square-foot single-story home designed by Kendle Design Collaborative for Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Nestled along a golf course with views of mountains and desert, the project blends rectilinear form, earthy materials, and choreographed light to create a climate-responsive living environment.
The design emphasizes rammed earth and sculptural detailing.
The architecture speaks to place while inviting outdoor living and remarkable vistas.
Architectural Concept and Site Strategy
The residence sits on a long, low footprint that stretches across a cacti-dotted site.
This delivers a strong horizontal presence that sits lightly in the landscape.
A central volume is capped by a large angled metal roof that anchors the interior activity around a generous circulation axis.
Along the front, slender fins reference the ribbed skeleton of a cactus, delivering a sculptural identity even before you enter.
The main public rooms are placed in the central axis, with bedrooms flanking either side.
This creates a seamless flow between nature and interior life.
The arrangement also shields against the intense Arizona sun while maximizing views of the golf course, mountains, and desert terrain.
Form, Massing, and Façade Details
The single-story massing is calibrated for human scale and landscape integration.
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The central volume commands the composition, while the angled metal roof acts as a signature gesture that catches light and casts expressive shadows across the façade.
The front elevation’s vertical rhythm, achieved through slim fins, reinforces the desert vernacular.
This delivers a contemporary, refined silhouette.
Material Palette and Craft
Rammed earth emerges as a defining material, complemented by metal, concrete masonry, and refined textures.
The finishes are chosen to harmonize with the desert context, offering tactile warmth and a grounded sense of place.
Interior surfaces mix natural stone, warm wood, burnished concrete blocks, and rammed-earth accent walls.
This creates a cohesive, durable atmosphere that ages gracefully with the landscape.
- rammed earth walls as structural and aesthetic anchors
- metal cladding and a large metal roof form
- concrete masonry and burnished block accents
- natural stone and warm wood interiors
- earthen foyer walls and an organic metal sunshade
Interior Layout and Experience
Inside, the design presents bright, fluid spaces that prioritize clarity of circulation and a strong connection to outdoor light.
The public rooms are positioned centrally, creating an open, welcoming hub.
Bedrooms are organized in wings for privacy and restful views.
A gallery wall serves as a transitional screen, filtering harsh Arizona sun while guiding visitors through the living spaces.
Space Organization
The interior emphasizes clean lines, refined textures, and sustainable material choices.
The layout supports flexible living and entertaining, with spaces that adapt to changing light and angles throughout the day.
Outdoor Living and Lighting
Outdoor spaces are integral to the Desert Fairway Residence.
A narrow swimming pool and rear terrace provide cooling and reflective opportunities.
A front terrace features a linear fire element to capture sunset moments.
The exterior and landscape are treated as extensions of the living experience, with attention to acoustics, reflections, and shading.
Lighting design sculpts the building’s forms after dark, casting elongated shadows across ribbed façades and reinforcing the architectural grain.
Amenities and Light Play
Strategic lighting accents emphasize the building’s geometry and material richness.
Rammed-earth walls and metal surfaces become ambient sculptural features after sunset.
Sustainability and Place
The architects foreground rammed earth as a material with aesthetic depth, environmental benefits, and a strong sense of locality.
Each wall is treated as a work of art that roots the home in its desert climate and fosters a tangible connection to the landscape.
Rammed Earth as a Signature Feature
Rammed earth supports passive climate strategies, thermal mass, and a durable, low-maintenance finish.
This aligns with the project’s sustainable design goals and long-term resilience.
Credits and Collaboration
A collaborative team brought Desert Fairway Residence to life, combining architectural vision with interior, landscape, and technical expertise.
The project embodies a holistic approach to desert living and sustainable craft.
Project Team
- Lead Architects: Brent Kendle and Cathleen Kebert
- Interior Designer: Holly Wright
- Landscape Architect: GBtwo
- Lighting Designer: Creative Designs in Lighting
- General Contractor: RJ Gurley Construction
Here is the source article for this story: Rammed earth adds natural quality to Arizona home
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