This Tucson home embraces its historic roots, but makes way for a modern future.

When Sean McCafferty first saw the property for his new house, he knew it occupied a challenging infill lot in the historic Sam Hughes neighborhood, about two blocks from the University of Arizona. Overgrown with ivy when he purchased it, the property included the original tiny home and a guest house set back from a green front yard and shaded by mature trees.

“The inspiration came from the original lot and house on the property,” says McCafferty, a Tucson ophthalmologist for seven years. “I loved the location and the vegetation, and the lot would enable development of a modern structure [that was] different but not out of step with the neighborhood.”

Because of the historical context of the neighborhood, McCafferty and his partner, Jennyann Foss, who works for another ophthalmology practice in Tucson, wanted their home to integrate well with the period homes in the area. At the same time, they wanted a clean and modern yet warm home that would incorporate the awkwardly placed original house while delivering fluid indoor and outdoor experiences.

To accomplish this, they turned to urban-infill specialists Sonya Sotinsky and Miguel Fuentevilla, principals of Tucson-based FORSarchitecture+interiors. Recommended to McCafferty by friends, the firm designed all aspects of the project: architecture, interiors, lighting, landscaping and hardscaping.