Copper Sky Residence

Paradise Valley, AZ, United States

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Other Projects by SWABACK Architects + Planners, pllc

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Copper Sky Residence

Paradise Valley, AZ, United States

Firm

SWABACK Architects + Planners, pllc

Type

Residential › Private House

YEAR

2011

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

Partner Jon C. Bernhard, AIA, of SWABACK, designed the Copper Sky residence in Paradise Valley, Arizona, showcasing the firm’s ability to build around the natural landscape. The site was challenging, having previously housed a demolished home with non-natural shaping. To address this, SWABACK recreated the native shaping and boulder outcroppings through grading, while the rest of the home was built to minimize its footprint and restore the rugged desert feel.

The residence features steel frame construction, allowing for expansive spans and deep cantilevers that follow the slope of the mountain. The design provides solar shading, and large spans of retractable glass and clerestory windows offer natural daylight throughout the home. The use of floor-to-ceiling glass and the avoidance of finish material changes at exterior wall lines provide seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces.

The home is terraced into a hillside slope, with the majority of the copper standing seam roof sloped at the same angle, and horizontal masses and material patterns prevalent in the design. The entry includes a circular drive and a soft sound of water flowing along the retaining wall of the home. The six-car garage is concealed from the guest arrival.

The main entry door opens into a transition space with full height and width glass facing a private garden courtyard cut out of the hillside, featuring an onyx roof finish for a warm amber glow. The two bedrooms and an office are accessible from here. The living room includes a dramatic fireplace with an 8’ wide opening, separating it from the family room, both offering uninterrupted views of Camelback Mountain and the city. A generous sized office, kitchen, pantry, and eat-in nook with seating for 10 complete the home, showcasing SWABACK’s expertise in designing a modern, comfortable living space that seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings while allowing residents to appreciate the stunning views.