Work

A modern, single-story glass and wood house with a landscaped garden featuring desert plants and a narrow water feature. The interior, visible through large windows, has contemporary furniture.

Casa Nita

The House of Desert Gardens

Working with long-time friends and design collaborators, the landscape architect-owners, Casa Nita seamlessly integrates with the surrounding desert gardens. The home consists of three sandblasted masonry volumes, connected by floor to ceiling glass and floating wood ceilings. The architecture interweaves with three courtyards that form the heart of the home, designed to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.

Celebrating the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert, the design features distinctive courtyards that bring the tapestry of color, texture, and pattern of the gardens to the interior. Salvaged ironwood and foothills palo verde trees provide filtered, dappled light and shade over a dramatic collection of succulents and cacti, enhancing the immersive desert landscape. This thoughtful integration of architecture and nature , honed over years of working together, creates a harmonious living environment that honors the desert’s natural beauty.

A modern one-story house with large glass doors and a minimalistic garden with succulents and a tree in the foreground. The interior features a dining table and kitchen visible through the glass.
Modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows, a low square coffee table, white sectional sofa with orange pillows, and an Eames lounge chair with a view of a landscaped patio.
Modern indoor-outdoor bathroom area with large glass door, various potted plants, succulents, stone path, and a mix of natural and artificial light.
A modern house exterior with large glass windows is surrounded by desert landscaping, including various cacti and succulents. There is a concrete bench and a narrow water feature at the forefront.
Modern desert home entrance with minimalist landscaping featuring various cacti and succulents, a paved pathway, and large potted plants, surrounded by native desert vegetation.
A tranquil swimming pool surrounded by desert landscape, blooming plants, and two lounge chairs with orange cushions near the pool.
Modern single-story house with large glass windows, situated near a swimming pool, surrounded by desert landscaping and clear blue sky.
A garden path lined with various cacti and succulents, bordered by a tall metal fence and a concrete wall. In the background, trees with purple flowers and distant mountains are visible.
Contemporary sitting area with wood-paneled ceiling, large windows, lounge chairs, small table, and built-in bookshelves filled with books. Sunlight streams through the windows.
Architectural site plan illustrating a house layout with labeled rooms, exterior areas, and surrounding landscape. A legend indicates various features and zones.
A modern dining room with a wooden table and six brown chairs. A bowl of green apples is on the table, and the wooden wall decorates with shelves displaying white vases. A chandelier hangs above.
Modern bedroom with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a garden with trees and a swimming pool. The room has a neatly made bed, a wall lamp, and a stone-textured wall.
Modern open-concept living and dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows, grey sofas with orange pillows, a chandelier, wooden ceiling, and garden views.
Modern living room with large windows, a wooden ceiling, and a chandelier. Furnishings include a sofa, armchairs, and a dining table with tulips. The room opens to an outdoor garden area.

Project Information

Location

Paradise Valley, Arizona

Collaborators

Floor Associates, Landscape Architect

Awards and Recognition

AIA Western Mountain Region, Honor Award

AIA Arizona, Merit Award

Press and Publications

“Casa Nita,” Hortus: Gardens for Private Homes, 2022

Related Work

Ralph Lauren Women’s and Home Flagship

New York City, New York

The image shows the facade of a grand, multi-story building with tall windows and ornate architectural details, illuminated at night. Mannequins are displayed in the ground floor windows.

Ralph Lauren Boulevard St Germain

Paris, France

Outdoor patio set with elegant wrought-iron tables and chairs, cushioned seating, potted plants, and lush greenery against an ornate architectural backdrop with arched doorways and hanging lanterns.

Upper East Side

New York, NY

Elegant hallway with a round wooden table, decorative branches in a vase, two large candles, modern artwork on walls, leather chair, and warm lighting.

Southampton

Southampton, New York

A small, modern house with a gable roof is surrounded by well-manicured landscaping and blooming hydrangeas, situated in a lush green yard with trees in the background.

The Saxony

Miami Beach, FL

White modern building with multiple balconies, surrounded by landscaped gardens, palm trees, red flowers, and a central stone pathway leading to the entrance.