Now and Zen

Now and Zen afforded a second life to a stucco McMansion as it was transformed into a modernist zen-like retreat. The owners sought a lot for their new home but could never quite find the location that had it all. They finally found an older home on a sloping site with mesmerizing views of Camelback mountain. The question was…could the home be transformed? Using the existing perimeter and a multitude of existing walls, Now and Zen was born.

The architecture rests firmly on the hillside, grounded by limestone tablets while uplifted through expansive fenestrations and soaring roof planes with zinc fascia and hemlock tongue and groove. The zen-like retreat is firmly founded in a timeless, refined palette of natural materials including limestone walls and floors, hemlock ceilings, vertical grain rift oak millwork and a careful selection of complementing tile and countertops.

A re-imagining of formal and informal spaces, Now and Zen breaks down the rigidity of perceived formal rooms with a sequence of overlapping spaces. Family and living rooms overlap kitchen and food prep spaces, indoor living overlaps outdoor living. Upstairs, an indoor media room overlaps outdoor patio with expansive mountain views.

A rebirth that will stand the test of time, Now and Zen will bring a calming, restorative environment to the owners for years to come.