Schnabel Family Retreat by AR&D architects

“The Little Tuscany residence is centered on the idea of bringing family together. The young family of five emphasized their desire to create a home that was meant to be enjoyed by extended family and friends now, and for generations to come. As a result, a dynamic design swept the site leaving the family with a lively vacation home that is underscored by the various nodes of activity.

Fading into the rolling hillside landscape, this retreat absorbs the 360 degrees of captivating mountain, city and valley views. The project becomes fully engrained in these views when the warm colors of the desert’s minerals seem to ignite the corten steel cladding which burns a deep red and orange. Roof gardens allow the home to blend seamlessly with landscape and the guest house dissolves into the sloping landscape in order to optimize mountain views while still maintaining a visual connection to the outdoor play areas.

Transparency throughout the property was an integral part of the design for the home owners. The goal of the plan and the form was to connect the interior to the exterior in order to create a transparency between the terrain and the architecture. The plan had to be transparent in order to connect views from multiple areas of the 4,700 sf. household. A sense of privacy and security was maintained in certain areas through the activation of landscape barriers such as boulders, bedrock, and elevation and grade changes.

With these design moves, it is apparent that the landscape was the driving force between every move made in the plan”

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Posted by Maya Markovski

Maja Markovski is a Bachelor of Architecture and the founder of ArchitectureArtDesigns.com, a leading online platform dedicated to showcasing the best in architecture, interior design, and creative living. With a deep passion for architecture and everything related to it, Maja curates, edits, and writes content that both inspires and educates. As an architect and design enthusiast, she brings a professional perspective to every article—highlighting innovative projects, timeless aesthetics, and emerging trends. Her mission is to bridge the gap between architectural professionals and everyday design lovers by sharing insightful, well-researched content that celebrates creativity, functionality, and artistic expression. Through ArchitectureArtDesigns.com, Maja aims to foster a deeper appreciation for how architecture shapes the spaces we live in—offering practical ideas, curated collections, and thought-provoking features for architects, students, and design-minded readers around the world.