A contemporary, minimalist home in Paradise Valley masterfully blends modern architecture with the landscape, creating an effortless connection between the two.
“This is an upside down house, in that the main entry and support functions are on the first floor, and the main living is on the upper floor to maximize views,” says Brent Kendle of Kendle Design Collaborative.
“Our homes are a choreographed dance between man and nature,” Brent Kendle of Kendle Design Collaborative shares. “They respect their natural surroundings, embracing them rather than dominating.” Kendle applied this perspective to a recently completed project in Paradise Valley, where a contemporary, resortstyle aesthetic reigns supreme and design cues come from the surrounding landscape.
Expansive floor-to-ceiling glass brings the outdoors in.
The clients, a couple with two beloved dogs, envisioned a modern, minimalist retreat where they could entertain guests, enjoy the outdoors and take in the breathtaking views of Paradise Valley. “They were looking for modern, clean lines that would contrast and complement the natural environment,” says Kendle. The homeowners, who had seen Kendle’s previous work, entrusted him and the team, including Claire Ownby of Ownby Design and Stephan Mackos of MACKOS Architecture and Construction LLC, to bring their dream home to life.
From the outset, the property’s natural features were integral to the design. The house was built on a challenging hillside lot with strict building height restrictions and an enormous rock outcropping at its center. But instead of seeing these constraints as obstacles, Kendle saw an opportunity. “Our solution was to embrace the rock outcropping and make it a feature of the home,” he explains. “It provides privacy from the street and neighboring properties while preserving the natural beauty for all to enjoy.”
Water and fire features extend the outdoor spaces’ usability into all seasons.
Constructed with commercial-grade steel framing and concrete floors, the home has dramatic cantilevers that project over the hillside. The exterior materials— dark bronze anodized aluminum, smooth synthetic stucco, earth-toned masonry and marble accents—blend seamlessly into the desert landscape. Inside, the design palette continues the minimalist theme with clean lines, muted colors and an emphasis on texture.
A serpentine driveway winds up to the front entry, sheltered by the upper floor that bridges above. “The shaded entry creates a cool, welcoming space,” Kendle describes. Stepping inside the two-story foyer, guests are greeted by a cantilevered staircase that seems to float in the space, drawing them up to the main living area on the second floor. “This is the first of many ‘wow’ moments,” Kendle says as the panoramic views of the valley come into focus.
The home features dark bronze anodized aluminum panels, hard-trowelsmooth synthetic stucco, earthtone masonry and marble accent walls on the exteriors.
The living room is one of the home’s crown jewels. Flanked by a glass-enclosed wine room and a cozy, lounge-like setting, it’s flooded with light from floorto- ceiling windows that frame the mountains and valley on either side. A floating clerestory window allows even more daylight to filter in, creating an airy, open atmosphere. “The views are just spectacular,” Kendle remarks, “and the space really takes full advantage of them.”
The kitchen, too, is a marvel of minimalist design. With two islands and a concealed pantry and powder room, it is both visually clean and highly functional. The dining room, which adjoins the living room and wine area, offers the perfect setting for hosting intimate dinner parties, while the family room—a continuation of the kitchen—opens to a terrace and pool area, making it a seamless indoor-outdoor space. “This room is a personal favorite,” Kendle reveals. “The glass walls disappear behind the fireplace, making it feel like the outdoors are an extension of the home. At sunset, the views are truly breathtaking.”
The main foyer is a two-story space with a cantilevered feature stair that draws one up to the second floor above. This is where the first of many “wow” moments occur, as visitors arise to the main floor and take in the panoramic views.
One of the home’s standout features is the cantilevered office, which seems to float over the mountainside. Its private balcony and sweeping views make it a serene space for homeowners to work or relax in quiet solitude. The primary bedroom offers a similar sense of retreat, with a cozy private terrace nestled into the hillside and a spalike bathroom that opens to an intimate garden setting. “It’s all about connecting with the environment,” Kendle emphasizes. “Whether it’s a private morning coffee or an evening glass of wine, the spaces invite you to engage with nature.”
Guest accommodations were equally well thought out. There are two en suite guest bedrooms, each with walk-in closets and mountain views. There are also quarters for a housekeeper, allowing the homeowners to entertain guests without compromising their privacy.
The primary bathroom evokes a spa-like feel, with his and hers toilet rooms, a family-size shower, a soaking tub and a pocketing glass wall that opens to an intimate garden setting.
Outdoor spaces play a crucial role in the home’s design, especially the elevated terrace and pool area above the garage, which offer panoramic views of the valley below. Water and fire features add a dramatic flair, extending the outdoor space’s usability into cooler and warmer seasons.
The project, which took nearly four years to complete due to the complexities of the hillside site and Covid-related delays, was a labor of love for Kendle and his team. “It’s a modern home that not only meets our clients’ lifestyle needs but also maximizes the unique characteristics of the site,” Kendle reflects.
The living room is adorned by a massive glass-enclosed wine room and a lounge-like setting, flooded by daylight from both sides—mountain and valley—as well as clerestory windows above.
When the homeowners finally moved in, their reaction was everything the design team had hoped for. “They absolutely loved it,” Kendle recalls. But just weeks after moving in, they received an unsolicited offer for the house—significantly more than they had invested in it. In a surprising twist, they decided to sell. But the story has a happy ending for everyone involved, according to Kendle. “They immediately asked us to design a new home for them elsewhere,” he shares. Onward and upward!
“The two-island kitchen is visually minimal yet highly functional due in part to the appliance wall that divides this space from the living room, as well as hidden doors to the pantry and powder room,” says Kendle.
Design Details
Type
Single-family home
Location
Paradise Valley
Architecture
Brent Kendle, Kendle
Design Collaborative
Builder
Stephan Mackos, MACKOS Architecture and Construction LLC
Architectural
Design Finishes
Claire Ownby,
Ownby Design
RESOURCES
Alvic
Luxe by Alvic kitchen
millwork finishes
Avenue Lighting
Primary bathroom pendant
Cactus Stone & Tile
Slabs throughout
Caesarstone
Primary bathroom vanities
Dunn-Edwards
Interior door paint in Jet
Emser
Primary bathroom tile
Kohler
Sinks throughout
Sherwin-Williams
Cashmere acrylic paint throughout
The Interior Gallery
Primary bathroom tub
