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

By: Guillermo Macias

Guillermo Macias — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:38:25 +0000

I've always been curious, how do these houses obtain electricity?

By: Greg Kilroy

Greg Kilroy — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:42:28 +0000

Yes, this property is currently for sale. You may see the website for additional photography (great to see how the landscape has matured) and a video of a walkthrough by the builder. http://www.DesertCityHouse.info. Please call to set an appointment to view this home – 480.235.4312.

By: Wes

Wes — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:36:08 +0000

As the builder of this project I can say that Marwan designed a truly unique and beautiful work of architecture! His involvement through-out the building process was invaluable.
If you can believe it this home is currently on the market.
Contact Greg Kilroy at Keller Williams / Scottsdale 480.767.3021

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?