Concept: This house inverts the New Mexican tradition of adobe residences, by creating exposed, interior masonry mass walls within a well-insulated wood frame shell. The mass walls have an east/west orientation that parallels the street frontage. The frame living and kitchen walls are skewed to the northeastern view of the Sandia Mountains. The house responds to the climate with rooftop clerestories, permitting direct winter sun on the masonry walls. As well, the raised roof areas promote summer convective ventilation through operable windows.

Other than the large glazed areas that permit the mountain view, street noise to the south limited the number of windows with that orientation. They are shaded from summer sun by overhangs. A series of removable shadecloth panels regulate the amount of sun that enters during the different seasons of the year.

Site: A large flat, non-descript lot, bereft of trees. A busy street forms the southern edge of the site. The stunning view of the mountains to the east and northeast is the best part of the site.

Construction: A frame building with exposed timbers in the sky lit areas. Thicker walls allowed for additional insulation. Adobes provide thermal mass and are mud plastered and sealed. They are non-structural and were built after the house was framed. They are anchored to the wood frame using masonry clips.