Completed: 2015

Size: 2300 square feet

Contractor: Ed Bell, Relentless Design LLC

Location: Taos, NM

The architecture of this region is known as ‘pueblo’ style - buildings made out of adobe and plastered in an earthen color of stucco. Although the owner appreciated the historical context, she desired to live in something a bit more modern.  Having worked in the international art industry for the past 30 years, and as an artist herself, she was very familiar with modern design. Her own personal art collection helped drive the concept of the project; a home with museum-like white walls, in which to display her collection, while also opening up to incredible 360-degree views. 

The owner requested that the program dictate the shape of the home - instead of fitting the entire program under one roof, each piece of the program became its own form, making a cluster of shapes, all of which are organized around a courtyard. The location of the house is locally known as ‘on the mesa,’ where there is very little topographic or vegetative protection. Organizing all the forms around the courtyard allowed for the owner to be outside while being protected from the elements. The derived shapes were further emphasized by using two stucco colors on the exterior, varying the rooflines, and using rusted metal to clad the courtyard wall. As Taos is somewhat remote, availability and access to affordable materials and labor were some of the most difficult challenges to overcome. It became an exciting challenge to see what could be sourced locally and within budget.

Included in the program was the owner’s art studio; located on the north side of the compound, one large corner window floods the studio with diffuse light, and captures the tail end of the mountain range.  The carport, adjacent to the studio, serves double duty functioning as an outside studio space when not being used for parking.

All photos by Kate Russell.