Stone Summit

Stone Summit is a 10,000-square-foot custom residence conceived as a contemporary desert estate—monolithic yet refined, rooted in the landscape while employing sophisticated environmental strategies.The architecture is organized as a composition of horizontally layered volumes that step subtly with the terrain, reinforcing a strong relationship to the site. A substantial stone-clad base forms the primary mass of the home, wrapping the lower level in thick, textured masonry that conveys permanence, thermal stability, and protection from the desert climate. This grounded stone plinth establishes a sense of weight and shelter, anchoring the residence firmly to its context.Above, the upper volume is articulated as a lighter, precisely detailed element defined by a vertical metal louver façade. The louvers form a continuous veil that unifies the upper level while mediating light, privacy, and views. Behind this outer screen, a secondary glazed skin creates a layered envelope—allowing select spaces to receive dappled, controlled daylight while reducing solar gain and glare. Strategic glass openings align with interior program and key vistas, producing moments of framed transparency within an otherwise restrained and disciplined exterior expression.Arrival is deliberately composed as a sequence of compression and release. The recessed entry is carved into the stone mass, emphasizing thickness and solidity before transitioning into expansive interior volumes oriented toward distant mountain views. This procession reinforces the home’s sense of calm luxury and architectural gravity.Interior and exterior spaces are conceived as a continuous experience. Large-format sliding and pocketing glass walls dissolve boundaries, allowing primary living spaces to extend effortlessly into terraces, courtyards, and outdoor rooms. These exterior spaces are defined by stone walls, deep overhangs, and landscape elements that create intimacy within the home’s expansive footprint.A central outdoor living courtyard serves as a focal point, organized around a mature olive tree and framed by integrated seating, water features, and shaded lounges. A linear pool aligns with the architecture’s geometry, reinforcing the strong horizontal language of the home while reflecting the changing desert light throughout the day.Materiality throughout is restrained and intentional: textured stone, metal, glass, and concrete surfaces are balanced with warm interior finishes to create a tactile yet timeless palette. The architecture relies on proportion, shadow, and layering rather than ornamentation, allowing light and material depth to define the experience.At its core, Stone Summit is a modern desert sanctuary—balancing monumentality with nuance, privacy with openness, and environmental performance with architectural clarity. The result is a residence that feels both deeply rooted in its landscape and elevated through precision, restraint, and spatial richness.