American architecture firm DUST has completed an attached condominium for a family in Marfa, Texas, that has decided to move permanently during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 1,300-square-foot (120-square-meter) building has been added to a property in the desert city, located roughly midway between Ciudad Juarez and San Antonio.
Although it has a population of only about 1,900 people, the city has established itself as the arts center of the southern United States, and is home to the Donald Gods Chinatown Foundation and The Farm among other cultural institutions.
“With the onset of COVID and the shutdowns, owners have decided to change their life plans, pack up in Tennessee, and move full time to Marfa,” said DUST, which is based in Tucson, Arizona.
The ADU was built from compacted earth blocks, inspired by some of the local area’s vernacular building techniques.
It includes a private bedroom and toilet, a lounge and a more public patio where the owners can host visitors.
“The project was motivated by the desire to build a new private initial wing for the couple to seek sanctuary when their children, grandchildren and friends visit,” the studio said.
“The suite has become a quiet respite and a place to work remotely, full-time.”
Inside the lounge, there is a long desk that runs the length of an entire wall and faces a large window.
There is plenty of room for two to set up a work station overlooking the cactus plants and shrubs on the property.
DUST said: “The living and work lounge receives early morning light and provides a place for the owners to watch the reverse sunset, as it opens to the east and allows unobstructed viewing through the soft grass and gently sloping valley toward Haystack Mountain.”
In the bedroom, a large skylight is placed above the bed, which the engineers said is useful for eliminating excess heat that accumulates during the day. In addition, it provides an opportunity to watch the stars in the clear night sky of Marfa.
A full height sliding glass wall opens the bedroom to a small patio, where the owners keep a vegetable garden and can relax away from their guests if desired.
Compressed earth bricks are left exposed throughout the interiors, creating a contrast with the simple concrete floors found throughout the house.
DUST is led by Cady Hayes and Jesus Robles, who founded the studio in 2007.
The team has completed several desert homes in Arizona, including a property with concrete walls made from volcanic tailings, and a land home in the Sonoran Desert.
Photography by Casey Dunn.
Project credits:
Architects: Dust, Kid Hayes, Jesus Robles
Structural Engineer: Dan Ray |
Creator: E&C Constructions, Eric Martinez
Compressed Earth Mass: Dave Mushel
mill: Architectural surfaces
Mill installation: Jimmy Magliozzi and Laszlo Thorsen
Plumber: Trevor Warren