A glass bridge connects the garage and guest spaces to the main volume of the house.
Joe Fletcher © 2021The monolithic volume of the house is sheathed with panels of natural brass, which will weather the weather as it reacts to the sun and rain. Two trusses of polished concrete masonry blocks (CMU) seal the copper-clad floating portion of the structure, connecting the house to the ground. “We’ve had several months of on-site testing of brass samples. The character of the material changes hourly as the light hits different angles. The brass feels alive,” Woods notes.
Light and shadow are, of course, essential components of an architect’s toolkit, and nowhere is their correct coordination more important than in a desert environment. Hanging in the back of the house, like those covering a sitting area and poolside fire pit, create cozy outdoor shelters from the unforgiving Palm Springs sun. Metal trellises that extend from either side of the glass bridge, hovering over zen-like gardens of cacti and barrel rocks, mediate the flow of natural light. “The aperture system is a functional architectural feature, but the way it plays with light, and the way it creates these mesmerizing patterns, feels like art. The arbours work like a sundial, tracking the passage of time throughout the day and from season to season,” Dangaran says.
Floor-to-ceiling blinds along the front elevation—installed in accordance with the prevailing Messian grid that quantifies and disposes of everything from window screens and travertine floors to the CMU block unit—also soften sunlight while adding a layer of softness to the hard-edged architecture. ‘Framing or intentionally blocking out certain views can heighten the drama of stunning vistas. Plus, we’re not afraid of fabrics, textiles, and other ornate motifs. They add to the overall experience of a home, and they’re subjective.
Woods insists.
Despite those protests of friendship toward decor, the house’s strength lies in its polished architectural volumes, elegant lines, and careful planning. The daring tectonic structure rises to the ground respectfully and gracefully, but remains an exotic presence in the landscape, a unique and upright object nestled among the organic rocks that embrace it. Dangaran concludes, “The idea is not to seek some kind of perfect harmony with the Earth, which is impossible, but to foster an interesting dialogue between what is man-made and what is natural.” “As much as it makes an architectural statement, this place was designed to be a relaxing and inspiring getaway for my family,” Woods adds. “This house is delicate, but not precious.”