The glass-enclosed master bedroom floats above the corrugated, oxidized steel exterior.

A lone saguaro marks the southwest corner of Thomas and Laura Hyland’s property, which is situated adjacent to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. The structure’s main living volume is elevated and faced in glass, overlooking a descending pathway that leads to a pool tucked into the site.

The modern addition sits on a concrete platform that extends past the house’s envelope, creating welcoming patios on each side. “From any space within the home you are no more than a few steps from one of the outdoor spaces,” Busick says. On the west-facing back porch, Green Kite Chairs by Karim Rashid and a poppy-red hammock offer ideal spots from which to take in the sunset.

For the seating area, the couple selected a Charles sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia in addition to CH07 Shell chairs by Hans Wegner, a PK61 coffee table by Poul Kjærholm, and a Nesta rug from Design Within Reach. The dining table, an original design by Burnette, is surrounded by stools that belonged to a previous owner.

Atherton's bedroom also contains a miniature piano; outside is a red bud tree, an appealing spot for mellow contemplation.

The pool of the Phoenix house feels as laterally finite as the house feels spacious—but the view goes up forever. Photo by Dean Kaufman.

With the house often open to the outside, dust easily drifts in. Fortunately, the concrete floor, speckled with white aggregate mix, is easy to clean.

Atherton made the bathtub and sinks by hand, out of marine-grade plywood held together with aluminum spline joints and dyed with Behlen Solar Lux in jet black. To make them waterproof, he coated every surface in a thick layer of West System marine epoxy, popular with builders of wooden boats. The components are inexpensive, but the process is time consuming: Each piece took five days to make.

The plan for this house in Phoenix, Arizona, was simple: Two rectangles are connected by a bridge that traverses a desert wash. The effect of the light shining into the glass-walled living room is what first attracted Sette and Shikany to the house. Photo by Daniel Hennessy.

Contreras can take his breakfast at a polished marble bar overhung by Tom Dixon pendant lights. A walnut cabinet system reaches from floor to ceiling, dividing the kitchen from the master bedroom.

Busick refreshed the house’s east-facing façade by painting the trim a bold black that echoes the steel addition at the rear.

Sheltered from the harsh Arizona sun, a north patio serves several important functions. It extends the apartment’s footprint, encourages airflow, and provides a private corner for residents to relax away from the city buzz. “Physical connection to the outdoors is paramount in a small space. It’s physically and mentally healthier,” Hall says.

The 825-square-foot structure is clad in AL13 aluminum rainscreen siding that can be cut-to-fit on site. "Because AL13 is a floating panel system, the panels can expand and contract as the temperature fluctuates without causing buckling or oil canning," David Gatringer of AL13 says. "Panel spacers and extrusions work together to create a rain screen, allowing any moisture to exit."

A skylight illuminates the neutral master bathroom, letting bathers contemplate the clouds. The faucets and tub are by Brizo, and the sinks are SlabHaus.

In the living room, Busick left the original brick walls and tongue-and-groove wood ceiling exposed, while he refinished the white oak flooring with a walnut stain. “We edited the newer renovations to the historic home down to the fundamental elements,” he explains. A gray Delos Sofa by Control Brand sits cozily in front of a window.

A horizontally-clad pine fence surrounds the home, giving its residents a measure of privacy at night despite the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The apartments are located in an up-and-coming stretch of downtown Phoenix, where many young professionals have recently flocked. “They’re perfect for individuals who appreciate finely crafted spaces and honed design sensibilities, but might not be at a place in their life to buy or commission their dream project yet,” Hall says.

“The biggest thing when you’re designing a small space is to constantly ask yourself, ‘How would I live here?’” Hall says. He found that functional storage was essential. The kitchen island not only serves as a bar, but it also doubles as a workspace during the day. Small slots hide computer cables, and a center storage tray acts as a catchall. The fixtures and cabinets are from Ikea, and the pendant lights are by Bocci.

An additional aspect of the renovation was the conversion of a dilapidated carriage house into a sleek, two-story studio that flanks the rear porch. A structural steel frame inside reinforces the structure while recalling the main house’s steel cladding.

Concrete blocks form an all-in-one exterior and interior wall that eliminates the cost of paint and drywall. They contain a white admixture that helps bounce heat off the outside of the building while brightening the inside. The blocks are also filled with spray foam for insulation.

Luca Nichetto designed the Phoenix chair for Offecct, part of a new line dedicated to sustainability. See it at the Rho fairgrounds, Pavilion 20, Stand F28.

Hall paid special attention to details like custom light switches and door latches, since they tend to stand out more in small spaces.

The woven wire steel mesh used to cloak Xeros’s east façade stands in stark contrast to Phoenix’s blue sky and the palo brea planted along the street.

Off the living room, two small bedrooms and a bathroom can be reached through sliding doors that, when closed, continue the cheerful pattern of the Moroccan cement tiles covering the wall.

Contreras opted for quality over quantity, sparsely decorating the room leading out to the backyard with a 1950s Thaden Jordan birch credenza and a pair of Barcelona chairs.

A custom, steel-framed window and door system reinforces the horizontal lines of the existing bungalow. Just outside the kitchen, Contreras can entertain guests on the patio—warmed on chillier days by a low, rectangular fireplace.

In the bathroom, glazing around the American Standard tub lets in light, though outer walls are positioned safely around it for complete privacy. “You literally feel like you are showering outdoors,” Hall says. “It’s really a serene experience.” The faucets are by Moen, and the sink and medicine cabinet are by Ikea.

The surrealistic imagery of a used car lot on Camelback Road affirms Phoenix’s dedication to the automobile.

An open plan helps the apartment feel larger. Translucent curtains that act as room dividers, allowing a measure of privacy while still letting light pass through. They also hide the double-stacked Maytag washer and dryer from view.

The silo was transported to Phoenix in a pickup truck. Grain silos have an oculus at the top that allows air to move through the grain; Kaiser converted that into a retractable skylight.

The windows and doors by Western Window Systems are made of insulated glass with thermally broken aluminum frames, which help mitigate temperature changes. The interior paint is Gardenia by Benjamin Moore, and the hardwood floor is a European Ash from Kährs.

Kaiser added ten inches of spray foam insulation between the exterior shell and the interior of the house. He also fabricated all of the doors and windows in the structure.

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