DESERT RESIDENCE
Geological Morphology - Henderson, NV Henderson is a town situated in the middle of the Nevada desert. With existing suburbs and homes decaying more and more everyday, the challenge of the project was to develop a design for the new home module that can be situated in such conditions. With existing properties being twice as long as they are wide, there is opportunity for extended construction. However this will result in the typical concern of "all building -no land." Dividing the length in two can provide a chance to share the site with land and house. The vision was created through the understanding of a rich morphology. A conclusion can be formed with the fusion of land and house; a seamless transition between landscape and the built environment. The concept draws reference from the visceral connection to the beauty of Nevada's landscape. The flat terrains bounded by a perimeter of mountainous topography and the occasional lakes provides the instruments used to generate a palette of senses for the new home. Avoiding the harsh southern sun, the south elevation asks to be completely solid while the east and west facades is deserving of a perforated enclosure to let diffused light into the home. The natural desert rock formations rising from the ground begins to inspire a form that may gracefully start with a playful landscape feature and manifest into an architecture that is more than just a house, but can be an expression for living in Henderson, Nevada and the sense of place that is indelible. This project was designed while working for Stantec Architecture.