San Antonio-based studio Lake|Flato Architects has designed the Brown residence. Situated among an extensive golf community in the heart of Arizona, with incredible views offered through the entire dwelling thanks to the massive floor to ceiling windows, the Brown Residence is an affluent blend of glass and steel. Even with so many windows, the broad overhangs allow the use of an abundance of glazing without succumbing to extreme heat gain from the desert Sun. Moreover, their strategic placement provides views of the desert mountain scape and not to the neighboring residences. A shell of glass and steel with oversized doors and window overhangings, which ensure a comfortable airflow management and considerable climate control in the interior, a somewhat masculine space with magnificent mountain vistas from the living room. Paved walkways encircle the house and lead down to a pool, fire pit and lounge area, ideal for hot days and cool desert evenings. Water conservation is an issue in this region, addressed by the sustainable identity of the landscaping with indigenous desert flora. It comes as no surprise that this structure is an award winning design, in particular for its features which work together with its desert surroundings.
