Dome

Overall view, the one story residence on the upper floor, accessed only by external stairway; Located at the end of two dead-end streets, the Xeros residence is positioned upon the upward slope of a 50’x 250’ double lot facing the North Phoenix Mountain Preserve to the north and the city center to the south. The building includes a two-story lower level design studio that descends down into the earth with a single story residence that exists above the studio that is accessed solely by an external stair. The primary building material is exposed steel (as structure, cladding, and shading) that is allowed to weather naturally and meld with the color of the surrounding hills. Called 'Xeros' (from the Greek for 'dry') as a reminder that all design solutions should be in a direct response to the environment. Source: ArchDaily; http://www.archdaily.com/ (accessed 5/15/2013)