Simplicity, low maintenance and legacy drove this Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired 7,810-sq.-ft. Paradise Valley custom home.
“A large part of Mr. Wright’s success was great clients. We certainly had this here. Our clients were very visual and intelligent about the opportunity to celebrate Wright’s legacy. They knew what they wanted and were very involved during design and construction.” —Tim Larson
Foyer/Corridor
Zinc-inlaid terrazzo floors on the exterior of the Gustad Irani-designed front door continue inside on the entry and hallway, with the door angles repeating in-floor patterns and all the triangular shapes in the home. For contrast with the sand-blasted Trenwyth block selected by La Casa for two of the walls, interior designer Janelle Schick placed stainless steelwrapped panels, with opposing angles, to surround the niche framing the multi-colored glass panel by Chandler’s BJ Katz.
DESIGN TEAM
Builder: La Casa Builders (Ron Steege, Tim Larson, principals) Designer: Janelle K. Schick, ASID Architect: Gustad Irani, AIA
Kitchen/Dining Room/Great Room
Multiple angles, shifting sun- and moonlight, color pops and contrasting materials combine for the vertical grandeur expressed in this omnibus living/dining area. The niche above the entertainment center accentuates the height and detail of the dramatic ceilings, and the focal-point fireplace reiterates front door materials. Finishes are minimal: absolute black granite, zinc-inlaid terrazzo floors and fiddleback English sycamore built-in cabinets, exposed block and white walls.
“Anyone who has visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic residence, Fallingwater, knows that he was the forerunner of integrating steel beams into residential construction to create sweeping open spaces to ‘break the box.’” –Ron Steege
Indoor Pool and Patio Areas
The owners wanted a low-maintenance pool and year-round access, so they requested two indoor swimming pools, one an endless-current and both with 24–7 dehumidification, as well as a 40-foot lap pool. Wright’s influence is clear in the 60-foot open span of ceiling and roof. Security shutters on all the windows offer privacy and solar control. Outdoors, the grounds abutting the patios and reflecting pool include a tennis court, putting green and the guesthouse.
Guesthouse Living Room
With shifting wall and ceiling angles, the guesthouse comprises two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room, the last designed to flex for dining and game room functions. The table swivels to eating or board game height, and castered tub chairs pull up easily. Custom designed for the space, the sofa incorporates built-in drink tablets and lighting on wide arms. Schick ensured that the zinc-inlaid terrazzo floors continued from the main house, and the floor-to-ceiling cabinetry holds the high-definition television while adding storage space.
Main House Guest Wing
In the main house, the two adjacent guest bedrooms feature built-in cabinetry designed, in some cases, to accommodate daylight from glass blocks. Each room accommodates a couple or singles, as the beds are connected twins that can be separated to need. Mounted to the night stands are reading lights, with extending arms for ease of use and movement when adjusting to single-bed setup. Each room includes a seating area and full attached bathroom, and the guest wing also has a large kitchen and entertainment area—making it a second casita in functionality and privacy.
