Have a look at this unconventional place in Sonoita, Arizona. If you were running down the hill on foot, you might just bound right over it and not even notice!
image from: trulia.com
Peeking out from a rugged, golden hillside is this 1667 square foot, 3 bed, 3 bath earth-sheltered home.
image from: trulia.com
It is currently for sale for $470,000.
image from: trulia.com
Built using free-formed concrete construction, this passive solar home is off-grid and includes a 458 square foot casita. According to the listing description, “The home maintains a temperate 55-73 degrees inside thru-out the seasons, day/night without any supplemental heating/cooling (there is a wood stove in each home). ”
image from: trulia.com
The house was built in 1982 and bears some tell-tale signs of the ’80s…
image from: trulia.com
…but is still stylish and artistic.
image from: trulia.com
I love those free-standing, free-floating styles of woodstoves! (So 1970’s!)
The kitchen is fairly simple:
image from: trulia.com
image from: trulia.com
I’m crazy about the sculptural, curving staircase…
image from: trulia.com
The house has a neat hallway – sort of like a tunnel:
image from: trulia.com
A bedroom with custom *jewel* skylight(s):
image from: trulia.com
My kids would have fun in this house!
There are also a couple of pictures of the casita (guest house)…
image from: trulia.com
(Dude! get out of the shot!)
Here’s the teeny casita kitchen:
image from: trulia.com
An exterior shot of the guest house tucked snugly into the hillside:
image from: trulia.com
I wouldn’t be surprised if deer and elk graze right there on the roof.
It’s an amazing property that leaves me a little breathless.
image from: trulia.com
For all the details and additional pictures, see here and here.
Peace!
Hi Sarah,
This house makes me think of Dr. Suess and ‘Whoville’ houses…all the curves and rounded doorways…..and especially that ‘tunnel’ hallway….
I am just wondering how the made the forms to pour all that ‘free form’ concrete….usually plywood or metal forms are used….and in the old days they used boards. Guess I’ll always be into the nuts and bolts end of things on architecture.
Your blog is amazingly interesting, keep it up. I am only wondering how you find all this stuff and find the time to put it all together!
Good question Marie… I thought maybe one of those poly-inflatable things… but is that considered “free form”? beats me! As for finding the time… I waste far too much time on the computer!! But it’s a hobby for me so I love every minute of it.