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RESIDENTIAL AWARDS: 2002 AIA Honor Award LOCATION: Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico SIZE: Main
House 4,200 s.f. COST: Withheld at Owner’s request DATE OF COMPLETION: 1999 MAJOR MATERIALS: Adobe and flagstone walls, copper cornice and roof, adobe interior plaster, western cherry and Indian slate floors, hand-made ceramic tile baths, hand-forged Iron-work hardware throughout. SYSTEMS: Passive Solar heating and cooling; wood burning fireplaces; radiant floor heat; Computer Controlled security, lighting, audio and thermal comfort systems. ENVIRONMENT: This site is located at 7,000 feet on the edge of the pinon and juniper forest with spectacular views of Taos, New Mexico. To take advantage of the high desert temperature extremes, traditional adobe construction was used. The use of adobe and stone helps meld the building into the surrounding desert landscape. Native plantings surround the buildings, these include Gramma and Buffalo grasses, Sage and Chamisa bushes, and Shrub-Oak, Aspen, Pinon and Juniper trees. PROGRAM / LIVABILITY: The program called for a main residence plus two guest houses. The owners wanted to build a vacation and retirement home that would accommodate their extended family for vacations spent in northern New Mexico as well as accommodating their extensive art collection. DESIGN: The owners wanted to take advantage of the artistic community and traditions in and around Taos. With an emphasis on the use of hand-crafts, local artisans, traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques, a contemporary, modern home was designed that resonates with the high desert landscape and architectural traditions of northern New Mexico. |