Red Rock House: A Desert Retreat

Designed by Faulkner Architects, Red Rock House is situated in an environment marked by strong winds and sweltering summers punctuated by monsoonal rains. Set in the rugged Nevada landscape, between the Las Vegas Strip to the east and Red Rock Canyon to the west, the residence occupies a roughly 3000 m² lot in Summerlin, merging with its natural setting through materials and volumes that echo the desert’s character.

Red Rock House: carved into the landscape

The building comprises several volumes defined by concrete surfaces made from locally sourced sand, gravel, and fly ash. In the intense desert light, the material takes on warm hues that recall the colors of the surrounding mountains.

A distinctive feature of the exposed concrete walls is the texture left by the formwork, which gives the residence a raw yet unmistakable material identity.

Access to the home is via a narrow opening carved into the concrete mass near a large water feature. The entrance pathway gradually ascends to an open-air courtyard, where a vertical garden of native species brings the desert landscape into the heart of the home, blurring the boundary between the built and natural environments.

Half of the residence is built into the ground, providing thermal protection and natural ventilation. Carefully designed openings allow light to filter deep into the interiors, creating a dynamic interplay of reflections and transparency.

Living comfort and climatic resilience

The lower level of the residence houses the primary living functions, while the upper level is dedicated to the bedrooms. The sleeping area is integrated into a structure surrounded by a perforated Cor-Ten shell, which runs along the east-west axis to shield the pool from the sun and wind.

On the south side, a terrace with metal mesh shading extends out from the main volume, creating a buffer between interior and exterior while protecting both the structure and the parking area below.

The color palette of the interiors recalls the sandy and earthy tones of the desert, enriched by splashes of color in the artworks on the walls and the dark accents of the furnishings and fireplace. Light timber boards, which extend from the floor to the ceiling, create a natural atmosphere that envelops every space.

The home was conceived as a resilient organism, able to respond to climatic conditions without sacrificing living comfort. Contributing to the home’s energy efficiency are a cool roof and a 45 kW photovoltaic system. High-performance glazing, state-of-the-art mechanical systems, and carefully calibrated lighting further reduce overall energy consumption.

>>> Discover Q8 Residence in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, designed by MRDK