Ghost Wash House—A-I-R (Architecture-Infrastructure-Research)

The house is situated on the lower northern slope of Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Bordered by two natural desert washes that channel stormwater from the mountain’s summit to the valley floor, the site is uniquely shaped by its topography. Two long, slender bars of tumbled brick run parallel to the eastern and western washes, framing a third, central landform—a “Ghost Wash”—that flows through the heart of the property.

The eastern bar shields this architectural wash from the rising desert sun and houses the home’s public support spaces, including the garage, kitchen, office, and family dining area. The western bar, meanwhile, protects against the harsh afternoon sun and contains the private living areas such as bedrooms, a family room, and recreational spaces.

The living and dining rooms are positioned within a continuous sequence of courtyards, gardens, and play spaces that follow the path of the Ghost Wash, stretching from the southern entrance to the pool house at the northern end. This central linear feature is anchored by a large floating roof that serves as a vital piece of infrastructure—harvesting stormwater and generating solar energy for the 8,500-square-foot home and surrounding landscape.

Functioning as the home’s primary organizing element, this central amenity draws inspiration from the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Like a nurse tree that shelters young cacti from intense heat and sun, the expansive roof provides shade and sustenance—through power and water—to the main living areas of the house. Just as natural desert washes support life and ecological connectivity, the Ghost Wash acts as a unifying thread that protects, connects, and enhances both indoor and outdoor living.