Skip to main content

Stainless Steel and Concrete Rise from the Desert Floor in this Net-Zero Home

Hidden Valley Desert House
Courtesy of Wendell Burnette Architects

Deserts get a bad rap. People tend to picture sand, sun, and not much else. But those who have ventured out into the seemingly inhospitable landscape know there is a subtle beauty that needs to be experienced to be appreciated. For those seeking a more simple way of life, leaving the busy city behind for a humble desert abode is the way to go. That’s just what one Arizona family did, and their home takes full advantage of all that desert life has to offer.

Designed by Wendell Burnette Architects and located in Cave Creek, Arizona, Hidden Valley Desert House is not just a place to quietly enjoy the beauty of the desert. It is also a net-zero home that gives back to the land, rising up from the desert floor to become part of the surrounding scenery. An oversized canopy serves two purposes: much-needed shading for the home and housing for the mechanical equipment which includes solar energy and rainwater collection (because, yes, it does rain in the desert).

With an exterior of stainless steel and concrete, it would seem Hidden Valley Desert House was designed to stand out from the landscape. Surprisingly, the low-profile home blends right in, following the contours of the land. With polished stainless steel for the canopy mirroring the surrounding lands, and the concrete block base the color of desert sand, the home has a humble facade that allows the natural beauty to shine.

Far from flat and lifeless, Cave Creek is part of the Sonoran Desert and offers an undulating landscape of cacti-covered hills. Situated on a slope of one of these hills, Hidden Valley Desert House faces south but was cleverly designed to offer differing views on all sides. Along with large windows framing views to the outside, the line between inside and out was blurred by the use of sliding walls that open up rooms to connect them to terraces and patios. This intimate connection to nature was one of the main aspects the owners were looking for in their humble desert home.

Inside, the home is finished in a brutalist revival style with dark finishes and black theatrical fabric scrim covering the ceilings. It creates a cozy, cave-like vibe while also keeping the focus on the beautifully framed views of the outdoors.

While living a more simple life was key for the owners, that doesn’t mean Hidden Valley Desert House is without a few creature comforts. The master suite includes a spa-like bathroom with a soaking tub that faces a large window, an enormous walk-in closet, and a private terrace complete with a fire pit, outdoor shower, and a koi pond. There is a south-facing relaxation spot with a unique fireplace that connects the master suite to the public spaces. An open plan family room with features a sitting area, dining area, and kitchen.

On the western side of the home is the outdoor family room complete with an outdoor kitchen and dining area as well as a view of the home’s aviary. The finishing touch is a sunken, built-in firepit and seating area — perfect for taking in those magical desert sunsets.

Editors' Recommendations

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
Check Out This Dramatically Angular Glass Cabin in Norway
efjord cabin glass house norway snorre stinessen architecture 3

Imagine your ideal hideaway. Is it a lodge surrounded by mountains or a waterfront cabin? What if you didn’t have to choose? One island abode lets you take in every kind of landscape, in any season. Efjord Cabin is a year-round retreat that soaks up all of the stunning scenery Norway has to offer.

Located on the small island of Halvarøy, Efjord Cabin is the brainchild of Snorre Stinessen Architecture. With few other inhabitants and stunning vistas all around, Stinessen was able to create a one-of-a-kind, year-round glass cabin for his clients. A natural ledge provided the perfect spot to position the home, taking in two of Norway’s best climbing peaks to the south and a view of a fjord to the west. A ridge in the terrain to the east helps protect the cabin from harsh weather. This spot also lets the home take advantage of the sun throughout the day - warming rooms and filling them with natural light. Using a design that visually alternates between opening up or closing off the outside, Stinessen provided his clients with panoramic views while also offering privacy and the feeling of seclusion that they wanted.

Read more
A Renovation Turned This Dreary Space Into a Stylish Urban Abode
olivier nelson residence nature humaine architecture design 7

If you’ve ever strolled the streets of Montreal, you know it’s a city of contradictions. While the downtown business district is packed with modern skyscrapers lining the St. Lawrence River, stepping into the surrounding historic neighborhoods is like traveling back in time to 1800s France. Narrow streets are lined with little shops, quaint cafes, and traditional European-style row houses. In this old-meets-new city, one rundown duplex received a thoroughly contemporary makeover that makes it stand out from its neighbors yet perfectly match the vibe of Montreal.

Renovated in 2019 by the team at Nature Humaine Architecture and Design, the Olivier Nelson Residence was originally a duplex row house. Sandwiched between two other homes, the interior was dark, almost cave-like, the layout wasn’t functional, and the design was dated. The team at Nature Humaine turned the structure into a brightly lit single-family home.

Read more
A Futuristic Minimalist Home Hugs the Hills in Southern California
bridge house belzberg architects minimalist architecture 6

Minimalist homes never go out of fashion. The clean lines are visually appealing and the monochromatic color palette offers a blank slate to build upon should the desire for change arise. But minimalism also hasn’t changed much over the years, resulting in homes that tiptoe close to becoming cookie-cutter.

Thankfully, the folks at Belzberg Architects have created a sophisticated home that checks all of the minimalist boxes while putting a futuristic spin on things. Bridge House says “no thanks” to the traditional black and white color palette typical of minimalist homes, embracing soothing tones for a sophisticated finish.

Read more