Residential Architects in Tucson: Design for the Desert

Five Tucson architecture practices to explore

Our selection begins with Kevin Howard of Kevin B. Howard Architects. His firm describes an approach to modern homes that responds to topography, vegetation and sun orientation, with architecture, construction and interiors brought into the same conversation.

The practices below offer different portfolios and approaches. Use this editorial selection to begin a conversation about your project, then compare the relevant experience and proposed services of each firm.

Bring the homesite into the first conversation

A mountain view is only one part of a site. Bring the survey, available utility information and any association design documents. Ask how the architect would approach arrival, driveway grade, drainage, neighboring windows and the spaces where you want privacy.

Describe how you would use the house during an ordinary day. A shaded breakfast patio, a quiet office and a living room open to a mountain view may each suggest a different orientation. Ask to see how those priorities can work together before committing to a floor plan.

• Discuss afternoon sun and shading alongside the view.
• Identify which site questions need a surveyor, engineer or other specialist.
• Establish who will coordinate association review and the applicable permitting authority.

Look beyond the finished photograph

Select a few completed projects with a similar lot, scale or renovation challenge. Ask the architect to explain what the site allowed, what the client prioritized and which decisions changed the design. Floor plans and sections can reveal room connections and changes in level that are less obvious in photographs.

For a renovation, establish how existing conditions will be documented and what needs further investigation. An addition, a whole-home renovation and a new residence call for different information before design can move forward.

Agree on the work and the people responsible

Ask which services the proposal includes: early feasibility, design, construction documents, coordination with consultants, assistance during pricing and visits during construction. Clarify who will be your regular contact and how decisions will be recorded.

Discuss when a builder should join the conversation and how estimates will be checked as the design develops. Whether you choose an integrated design and construction practice or separate firms, agree who holds each contract and who handles revisions, selections and questions from the job site.

Prepare a brief that helps the design

Start with the people who will use the home, the rooms you need and the activities that matter most. Include accessibility priorities, guest space, storage, work areas and how much maintenance you want to take on. Separate essentials from preferences so the architect can explain tradeoffs.

Share an overall project budget and discuss the items it needs to cover, including the site, consultants, construction, outdoor work and furnishings. Ask what is still uncertain and when the next estimate will be useful. Confirm current services and availability directly with the practice.

Explore the architecture already here

Before deciding to build, walk through existing homes in the communities you are considering. Experiencing a courtyard, a shaded terrace or a split-level plan in person can make your own priorities clearer. You may find a home that already offers the setting you want, or leave with a more useful brief for a custom project.