Sonoran Desert Passive House | Brubaker Architects

This minimalist residence sits on ten acres of undisturbed Sonoran Desert at the base of the Santa Catalina mountains in Tucson, Arizona. The project enhances human connection to this beautiful landscape, creating a serene environment as a respite from the chaos of modern life.
The project’s goal was to be an exercise in minimalism. From the design concept to energy use, minimalism and conservation were the guiding principles. Its contrast to the abundance of the surrounding natural environment focuses on nature’s beauty.
Its simple forms are sympathetic to the region and evoke the spirit of the place. Shade is an integral feature of structures in this climate – Here a large protective roof rests on an exposed steel structure providing shade to the building and outdoor spaces below it. Elements such as stucco, light colors, thick walls and setback windows recall traditional adobe buildings.
The building is organized as two linear bars stretched east-west under the large simple shed roof, with public spaces to the north and private spaces to the south. This orientation minimizes the western afternoon sun and provides optimal positioning of the solar panels.
One enters the building between the bars in an east-west corridor that provides a glimpse of the exterior views to come. Once entering the north bar of the main space, an expanse of glass displays the spectacular front range of the Santa Catalinas.
Inside, a minimal aesthetic mutes the interior spaces and emphasizes the surrounding desert. The kitchen consists only of an island with all storage hidden away. The simple aesthetic carries through via cove lighting, built-in shelving, and hidden ventilation and cooling systems.
Minimalism and response to the climate influenced design decisions from the building’s form, to the materials, to the mechanical systems.

Mechanical Engineering: Otterbein Engineering

Photography: Nick Merrick