Work

A modern, flat-roofed house is situated in a desert landscape with cacti in the foreground and mountains in the background.

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead

Championing Sustainability in the Sonoran Desert

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead exemplifies a commitment to environmental stewardship through its preservation of native habitat, sustainable building materials, and natural resource conservation. The structures are nested into the landscape and incorporate materials that blend with the natural desert environment.

The trailhead’s rammed earth walls are constructed from material excavated during foundation construction, reflecting a harmonious use of on-site resources. Gray water and rainwater harvesting systems provide 75,000 gallons of water annually for landscape irrigation, promoting water conservation in the arid desert climate.

A roof-integrated 3,000-watt solar electric array powers the trailhead facilities, making the site completely self-sufficient and independent of the electric grid. This innovative approach to design and sustainability ensures that Lost Dog Wash Trailhead remains a model for environmentally conscious development, preserving the beauty and integrity of the desert landscape while providing essential amenities for visitors.

A modern, flat-roofed building situated in a desert landscape with sparse vegetation and cacti. The structure blends with the surroundings, featuring large, horizontal lines and earthy tones.
A modern house with large windows and a flat roof is situated in a dry, desert landscape with cacti and shrubs in the foreground and hills in the background.
A modern house with a flat roof stands amidst desert vegetation and cacti, with mountains visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A desert landscape with a modern, angular building partially hidden among tall cacti and desert shrubs. The ground is rocky, and the background is dotted with low vegetation.
A view of a modern architectural structure with exposed concrete beams and corrugated metal surfaces arranged in linear patterns.
A detailed site plan map showing a layout of buildings, parking areas, paths, and natural features such as streams and varied elevation lines. Key zones include the entrance, a parking lot, and trails.
A technical drawing of a building cross-section, showing various systems like rainwater, gray water, oxygen, and composting. Includes labels and a background of mountains.
Architectural section drawing of a modern building with labeled areas, set against a backdrop of mountains.
A circular outdoor seating area with curved concrete benches, a cacti, and small trees under a clear sky in a desert landscape.
A modern building structure with concrete pillars and a desert landscape, featuring sparse vegetation including a tall, thin cactus.
A group of five people sit on a shaded bench under a large wooden structure with desert scenery and a tree in the background.
Two people running under a shaded structure in a desert landscape with mountainous terrain in the background.

Project Information

Location

Scottsdale, Arizona

Collaborators

Floor Associates, Landscape Architecture

Awards and Recognition

AIA Arizona, Honor Award

AIA Arizona, Sustainable Design Award

AIA Western Mountain Region, Honor Award

National ASLA, Honor Award

Arizona Forward, Crescordia Award

Press and Publications

“Lost Dog Wash Trailhead,” Creating Shade: Design, Construction, Technology (Braun), 2013.

“Lost Dog Wash Trailhead,” 1000x Landscape Architecture (Braun), 2009.

“Lost Dog Wash Trailhead,” E|A Environment & Landscape Architecture Magazine, Korea, March 2008.

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