Camelback Casita
A Desert Retreat Rooted in Family and Place
Client
Cal and Virginia Holman
Location
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Size
1,055 sq ft
Expertise
Dwelling, Reinvention
Delivery Method
CMAR
Project Team
Set against the backdrop of Phoenix’s iconic Camelback Mountain, this small but deeply considered addition transforms a private residence into a multigenerational retreat—one that celebrates family, desert living, and connection to place. What began as a practical need to accommodate an aging parent evolved into a sculptural extension of the existing home, gracefully navigating topography while reimagining the arrival sequence, reinforcing privacy, and amplifying the mountain’s presence in daily life.
The 570-square-foot casita is modest in size but generous in experience. Its flexible plan allows the main living space to transform into a bedroom via a custom retractable bed seamlessly integrated into white oak millwork. Strategic glazing frames uninterrupted views of Camelback Mountain, anchoring the interior with a powerful sense of place. A perforated rusted steel screen wraps the western façade, shielding the building from glare while casting shifting shadows that animate the carport arrival and adjacent patio with a rhythm akin to filtered desert light.
Durable and elemental materials—weathering steel, integral-colored charcoal-toned mortar wash over masonry, custom steel window frames, and warm oak—speak to the desert’s palette and permanence. Every material was selected not only for its performance and longevity, but for the way it weathers with beauty and restraint. A steel pipe channels all roof runoff into a native rain garden at the northwest corner, marking each rare rain event with ceremony and sustaining the arid landscape beyond.
The addition carefully navigates a 6’-8” elevation change between the parking area and main house. A new elevator ensures accessibility, while the site is choreographed to distinguish family and guest arrivals: an intimate, shaded path to the private entry is marked by a pair of custom pivot doors, a floating steel grating patio, and the soft sound of a custom water feature; a more formal sequence for visitors is framed by the sculptural mass of the new addition and the cooling shade of the screen.
This desert compound now supports independent living while preserving intergenerational connection. Subtle architectural moments—like a Ducati motorcycle displayed in the garage as art or a site-specific steel sculpture commissioned by the owners—enrich daily rituals with personal meaning. Existing native vegetation was preserved throughout construction, and new planting was restrained and deliberate. The result is an addition that does more than expand the home—it deepens its relationship with the land, the climate, and the lives unfolding within.
