The House of Earth and Light: Marwan Al Sayed

House of Earth and Light: Marwan Al Sayed Architect.

One of the finest examples of modern desert architecture we have ever offered! City-Az/Desert Living selected this internationally recognized, well published, award winning home as one of the ten best examples of Valley Architecture.

Superb design and unmatched structural integrity with detailed use of steel, cast concrete and earthen-concrete “poured-earth” construction. Exceptional features include rare select hardwoods, polished concrete floors, and a brilliant cascade of natural light from generous windows.

Originally conceived and built with an innovative and unique canvas/cloth roof system: hand cut glass insets, cast glass lighting, sinks and corner-blocks. In addition to the home there is a large studio/shop and steel parking structure, which has now been converted in part to a guest suite. The entire home offers a very high level of detail and standard of construction. The roof System has been replaced with a more conventional design that incorporates the sculptural trusses, and the design utilizes the rhythm of the span by inserting skylights that maintain the ethereal flood of natural light found in the original design by Mr. Sayed.

This home graced the original issue of DWELL magazine and has been written about, discussed and published, featured and photographed many times since then. Homage must be paid to the original owners, a modernist couple that labored at length to realize the design and concept, even at great personal cost, and to the current owners who have cherished the home, detailing and completing it to realize it’s highest level of design and function, while retaining the highest level of respect for the original concept.

Uniquely connected with the desert arroyo site, this home enchants you with calm interiors and interaction with the abundant native plants and trees found on this natural desert arroyo site. Please visit azarchitecture.com for more details and a virtual tour. We were proud to represent this significant piece of architecture.