Architect Brent Kendle’s clients wanted an indoor-outdoor connection that made them feel like they were “living in the desert” and “camping under the stars” from inside their home in a North Scottsdale golf community.
So, Kendle, principal of Kendle Design Collaborative, employed a solution that plays off themes of natural light and a connection to the desert environment.
“The open floor plan is part of this equation but the biggest part of making the home feel larger is the extensive floor-to-ceiling glass.” Brent Kendle, Kendle Design Collaborative
“The open floor plan is part of this equation but the biggest part of making the home feel larger is the extensive floor-to-ceiling glass on two sides of the main social space of the home,” Kendle says. “This expands the visual area – the feeling of space, out into the courtyard on one side and out across the terrace on the other, leading your eye to nature, all while bathing the interior with soft natural light.”
From the front patio, the entire living, kitchen, and dining areas – as well as the whole backyard – are visible through floor-to-ceiling glass. A Western Window Systems Series 600 Multi-Slide Door glides open to merge the home’s main room with the outdoor space, which features a copper-coated hot tub made by the homeowner. The copper patina occurs throughout the property – a nod to the homeowners’ desire to have an “elemental home” with materials that reflect the desert environment.
“Western Window Systems’ ability to produce large glazed panels with minimal sightlines provides a unique ability to blur the line between inside and out,” Kendle says.
“Western Window Systems’ ability to produce large glazed panels with minimal sightlines provides a unique ability to blur the line between inside and out.” Brent Kendle, Kendle Design Collaborative
Kendle describes the 3,100-square-foot Southwestern-style house as “a modern interpretation of ranch-home architecture.” Copious glass complements the contemporary design and ensures the surrounding desert vistas are always on display. The home’s three bedrooms and office feature Western Window Systems Series 670 Casement Windows that swing open to allow fresh air to course through the rooms.
“I chose Western Window Systems for the larger insulated glass area and seams and integrated hardware that disappears into the frame.” Brent Kendle, Kendle Design Collaborative
The architect says the homeowners reached out to him after they had lived in the home for a while to tell him how much they enjoyed the desert views. They admitted they weren’t huge advocates of the desert before they moved into the home.
“Introducing someone to the natural beauty of the desert and seeing their appreciation for it for the first time is the best I could ever hope for,” Kendle says. “Nature has the power to change lives if one just stops to notice and engages with it.”
Dealer: Roadrunner Glass Co.
