Lured to Phoenix by the promise of toasty weather and access to the great outdoors, former Montana residents Eric and Sondra McVeigh purchased a home on the outskirts of the city in 2007. “We bought the property for its proximity to hiking—there’s a trailhead two blocks away,” says Eric. On the downside, the house was small, poorly insulated, and in disrepair, so the McVeighs spent the next decade saving up for a major remodel.

In 2017 they contacted architect Cavin Costello and interior designer Claire Costello of The Ranch Mine to guide their efforts. The designers suggested keeping the existing foundation but drew up plans for a new, 1,850-square-foot house. Its defining feature is a gabled volume that serves up cactus three ways. Black corrugated metal siding on three sides evokes a saguaro’s pleated ridges; patterns in the hemlock on the front facade recall its forked ribs; and the recessed entry corridor references a saguaro boot—a nesting hole often inhabited by desert birds.

“One thing we love so much about the desert is its dynamic simplicity,” says Cavin. “The climate has shaped everything to its very essence, creating unique patterns and forms because of the specialized requirements to survive—or, ideally, to thrive.”

Eric’s favorite thing about the new home is the view—windows in the open kitchen, living area, and dining area showcase Piestewa Peak, and the entryway frames craggy vistas to the north. The three-sided courtyard includes a pool, which is shaded from the strong afternoon sun by the gable’s peak. Sliding glass doors extend the living area outside for most of the year.

Project Credits:

Architect: The Ranch Mine / @theranchmineofficial

Contractor: Boxwell Homes

Engineer: Bingham Engineering Consultants