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Top 5 Most Unique Homes of 2022
As 2022 comes to an end, we’d like to reflect in gratitude on some of the notable listings we have represented and/or sold this year. Please enjoy azarchitecture/Jarson & Jarson Real Estate’s Top 5 Most Architecturally Unique Homes of 2022!
1. The Jimenez House – Subterranean Home
Status: SOLD for $2,356,000.00
Behind an unassuming horizontal profile is one of the most unique homes in the Valley. This earth-sheltered subterranean home was designed and built by the engineer owner to create a highly efficient and sustainable desert home. Initially created as a response to high costs and the energy crises during the 1970’s, the home has stood the test of time.
What started as a vision became a proven ongoing experiment that has successfully explored energy efficient living in our harsh desert environment. Earth-sheltered homes are nothing new, but thanks to the benefit of having an arts and engineering family as its benefactor, this home incorporated several unique, innovative and successful design concepts. It has gained considerable attention over the years with a wide variety of articles shining a light on Jimenez’s innovative approach to architecture.
2. Mid-Century Meets Desert Modern – Ralph Haver Original/Wendell Burnette Remodel
Status: SOLD for $1,275,000.00
Originally built by mid century architect Ralph Haver, this home is located in Marlen Grove, THE quintessential Haver neighborhood in North Central Phoenix. In desiring to honor the history of these unique designs, the owner called on Wendell Burnette Architects to create a thoughtful update to this home.
The architect reorganized the plan, creating an open kitchen, elegant baths, and an even more harmonious relationship to the outdoors. Expansion of the roof line in mimicry of the original offers repetition of form, and the addition of clerestory windows, clear glass and abundant skylights balance the natural light.
Highest quality architectural details are used judiciously, keeping the spaces uncluttered and open fitting for this exclusive design-oriented neighborhood. The attention to detail in this home makes it a minimalist’s dream come true.
3. North Central Modern – Al Beadle
Status: SOLD for $950,000.00
Designed by modernist architect Al Beadle, this amazing home is Arizona living at its best! With signature Beadle detailing including unique steel work, floor to ceiling glass walls and windows, a timeless material pallet and superb clarity of design details. The kitchen features new appliances and trademark ”Beadle-white” cabinets. There are renovations of the home are meant to fit today’s lifestyle all while retaining the essential elements. A comfortable resort-style backyard with built ins, bar-style seating and covered patio space. Updated HVAC, windows and doors – the works! This is a very special home that continues the lineage of ownership for this exemplary Beadle design.
4. Loloma 5 Townhouse – Will Bruder, FAIA
Status: SOLD for $800,000.00
Loloma 5 is an extensively-published, award-winning, timeless design by William P. Bruder, FAIA. This highly-upgraded unit has a mixed-use office space, spacious living/dining/kitchen area, 2 bedrooms, a rooftop terrace and a view patio off the living space, each aligned to the Marshall Way streetscape. This perfectly-proportioned 3-story condominium features loft-like interior spaces with high ceilings throughout. The original upgrades have been thoughtfully blended with recent refinements using architect-specified materials and finishes. Live/work zoning makes for a flexible lifestyle; the 2-car carport is gated and private, with direct access to the 1st floor office space from the carport and from Marshall Way.
This building integrates timeless and sustainable materials with desert modern architecture. An elegant zinc clad street elevation marries to natural steel details, galvanized perforated panels, and a Galvalume roof for an elegant material palette. Windows fall playfully, yet rhythmically, along the elevations to allow maximum north-facing natural light to flood the interior spaces.
Considered a masterpiece of modernism by the internationally renowned architect, this iconic building has been published in books and magazines throughout the United States, in Global Architecture (Japan), and UME Magazine (Australia). It is also featured in the book The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture, and The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary Work Architecture.
5. Concrete Dome House – Wallace Neff Inspired
Status: SOLD for $225,000.00
What is a Monolithic Dome?
A Monolithic Dome is a round, steel-reinforced concrete building known for its energy efficiency, low maintenance, and ability to offer near absolute protection from natural disasters. While they have had a relatively low profile in the past, these unique buildings have slowly started gaining national prominence as school districts, churches, sports facilities and even home owners have opted for Monolithic Dome construction. Monolithic Dome homes have been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, the NBC Nightly News, MSNBC, CNBC, National Geographic Channel and Discovery Channel.
This is one of the original and few left MONOLITHIC AIRFORM DOME houses from Post War Era 1950 still standing, and it is unbelievable. Can you imagine the cool cave hang out pad you could make out of that place? What about a YERT? The possibilities are endless.