Area 751 / Desert Pavillion

Located between the Saguaro National Park and the Tohono O’Odham Reservation west of Tucson Arizona, the Desert Pavilion is an addition intended to increase the possibilities of outdoor living in the Sonoran Desert. The project is lifted on stilts to stay above the flood plain and let desert wildlife and nature flow below, suspending inhabitants amidst the mesquite, palo verde, saguaro and creosote. Five 16’ square modules that include two enclosed spaces; a workshop and an art studio, are arranged along a sequence of porches so that the experience of the pavilion is focused on the natural environment. The screened porch sits at the end of the walkway, hovering above a natural wash with views out over the desert in all directions. Stairs on all sides allow occupants to easily access site walking trails. The simple palette of exposed steel, cedar, plywood and integrally colored concrete is intended to naturally weather, blending into the landscape.