Comments on: Desert City House by Marwan Al-Sayed Architects

By: tylerv

tylerv — Fri, 08 May 2009 23:15:59 +0000

re:jim
the feel of concrete in the sonoran desert is actually akin to the feel of the desert itself, not combative, but the hardness of the desert put into form like a cave. also, not just a concept, but the thermal, heat sink properties of concrete in the desert, with hot days and cool nights, is very important. the slabs can appear to be brutal, but when spending a long time in the harsh desert take on more of a sense of strength in a hard place, not against the environment, but transforming it like sculpture. in the same way the thermal properties of concrete actually conduct the environment and compress its highs and lows rather that typical tight insulation.
anyway beautiful, love the ancient city apertures.

By: jim

jim — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:12:04 +0000

The efficiency and detail of the plan is admirable, however the material and massing interaction is very aggressive. The desert (in local context) hasnt a chance to develope vocabulary with the architecture, except to say that it relates as butter to a knife. The concrete as contrast for the desert life? Ive heard this time again with other projects. The deserts flora has evolved for survival, i.e. leaves on a Palo Verde tree, spines upon a cactus. This is eco process that invite elegance through the minimal. The featured architecture combats principle of origin rather than embracing it. Again contrast in lieu of comparison. In literature the former is aggressive, the latter passive. Brings to mind the developments of the 70’s: corporate mass in pastoral settings. Is personal statement more important than environmental inflection for resolve?

By: Joel DW

Joel DW — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:03:10 +0000

By far one of the best I’ve seen on this site. There are other “superstars” who’s efforts are really just computer generated massing.But this is “ol’skool” planning and design.

By: saif

saif — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:34:01 +0000

Great Design…Great Workmanship….is it for sale?

By: peridotprince

peridotprince — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:48:53 +0000

mohamed – I need a good laugh today, thanks

Maybe its the photographs, but it seems a rambling mess of itself. A few buildings adjacent? Not sure – doesn’t feel whole.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:14:28 +0000

beautiful- truly- but would love to see the original budget and the final cost- all these systems are so wonderfully energy saving yes ,but how many decades for the expense to be paid off. Also suprised they went with dark wood in kitchen-(was prob the clients unfortunate choice as the rest of the design is teriffic!) we should take a note from current japanese architects offering light filled kitchens that have plywood and MDC cabinetry.

By: mohamed

mohamed — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:15:40 +0000

the architect is a genius. it is clear he designed this house not with a pencil but with his soul. well done Marwan.

By: g

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:47:06 +0000

The detailing is very tight! Great work all around…

Good point Ben – tho i’d still applaud the effort in what was clearly a thorough and rational process…

By: John

John — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:56:01 +0000

Nice job! This is a great commission for a residence. The plan is nice as well. Perhaps better choice of light fixture could have been made like Nulux or something minimal like that.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:15:31 +0000

nice project but when describing it don’t bother to say that there were thoughts of having it built with sustainable elements because if you built a huge, non compact home, in the middle of the desert, with a garage for 3 cars (probably hummers because what else can survive in the desert?) there is nothing you can do no more to make it sustainable …