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Homepage / Architecture  / This Home’s Distinctive Design Embraces Warmth, Light and a Spectacular View

This Home’s Distinctive Design Embraces Warmth, Light and a Spectacular View

This home blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

By Jason Keil | Photography by Jason Roehner

Nestled among the picturesque and verdant terrain of Clearwater Hills, a home gracefully blends into the scenic foothills. Conceived by architect Susan Biegner, the dwelling offers panoramic views of Camelback Mountain while reflecting the owners’ taste for warmth and earthy sophistication.

“Our goal was to let the home disappear into the landscape,” recalls Biegner. “It’s such a special site in one of my favorite parts of Paradise Valley.”

The success of the project, according to Biegner, lies in the collaboration between herself and the homeowners. “It was truly a labor of love,” she says. “Together, we achieved something elegant, understated and timeless.”

“The home’s entry sequence begins with a cast concrete planter/bench which guides you to an entry gallery,” says Biegner. “This transparent volume opens to a trellis and garden beyond. The indoor/outdoor space is one of my favorite parts of the house, where the light and shadows change throughout the day.”

The home’s exterior concrete surfaces subtly change in tone throughout the day as the sunlight shifts. Biegner notes that the owners have captured beautiful images of the patio at different times, showing how the view evolves with the light—a testament to the harmony between the home and its environment.
Lighting highlights the home’s textures at night, imbuing the space with a cozy, intimate ambiance. “The integration of the elements on the outside, from the steel to the concrete, are some of the best features of this house,” project manager Kai Thomas says.
The rug along the gallery at the entrance creates a narrow trail-like ambiance that connects the two wings. At the end, the outdoor landscape unfolds.
While the home’s 4,300 square feet align with similar properties in the area, the design posed a unique challenge due to the lot’s irregular shape. The home appears modest from the street; as you step onto the property, the design’s complexities reveal themselves. The narrow front façade expands as you enter, allowing the space to open up in unexpected ways.

“This house is all about connecting to the land and the views.”
—Susan Biegner, architect

“Board-formed and panel-formed concrete create a handsome, earthy palette,” Biegner explains. “The former’s linear texture makes a lovely contrast to the warmth and patina of the latter.” 

For the architect, one of the most rewarding aspects of the project is the home’s office—a space that blends aesthetics and function. Featuring a concrete fireplace, vintage desk and warm lighting, the office provides a sense of tranquility and a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. “It’s the owners’ favorite room,” Biegner shares. “It’s the perfect space for them.”

The design fosters a seamless connection between interior and exterior. Natural light pours through large windows and strategically placed skylights in the gallery and bathrooms to ensure the home feels open and welcoming. 

SOURCES

Architect: Susan Biegner, Biegner-Murff Architects, Phoenix, biegnermurff.com.

Builder: Kai Thomas, Bedbrock Development, Scottsdale, bedbrock.com.

Landscape designer: Berghoff Design Group, Phoenix, berghoffdesign.com.

PATIO—Outdoor chairs: Inside/Out Showrooms, Scottsdale, insideoutshowrooms.com.

Dining table: knoll.com.

Dining chair (“Ellen” by Sutherland): perennialsandsutherland.com.

Grid table: insideoutshowrooms.com.

ENTRY—Rug: David E. Adler Fine Rugs, Scottsdale, davideadler.com.

Bench (by Howard Werner): gebertartaz.com.

Artwork (on right, by G. Gaddis), costellogallery.com.

BEDROOM—Rug: davideadler.com.

Bench (by Holly Hunt): John Brooks, Scottsdale, johnbrooksinc.com.

DINING ROOM—Chairs: knoll.com.

Table: dwr.com.

Dining room rug: davideadler.com.

Concrete planter: Studio Ressource, Scottsdale, studioressource.com.

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