Practically since the origin of civilization, human beings have had the need to control the surrounding space. Not only for defensive reasons, but also for the simple pleasure of being able to observe the landscape. Thus, for example, in rural areas a type of house equipped with a watchtower has emerged, while in urban areas we find houses with a tower used as a lookout. A tradition that continues to be used in the construction of houses, especially in the countryside. Below we will discover a rural house located in the middle of the woods, which during its construction added a tower to contemplate the panorama that surrounds it.
A tower in a forest
There Malapai Tower House is a family home nestled in a pine forest in the northern state of Arizona, near the mountainous city of Flagstaff, designed by the American architecture firm The Ranch Mine. The name of the house “Malapai Tower House” derives from the Spanish term “malpaís”, which means “bad soil” and, on this occasion, refers to land with eroded volcanic rock.
One of the design team’s goals was to create a home that achieved a “harmonious symbiosis with exuberant nature,” serving as a conduit between civilization and wilderness, thus uniting “the comforts of home with the wild beauty of the natural world ”. The house is then clad in wood and steel resistant to atmospheric agents.
Access to the house is via a long and winding dirt road. The property is located at the top of a hill, nestled in a fairly flat clearing between volcanic rocks. It has an L-shaped plan and is composed of several gable-covered volumes from which one stands out rectangular tower. As the architectural team explains: “The three-story tower offers an elevated vantage point that allows occupants to contemplate snow falling on pine trees or incoming storms, or act as a sentry against possible forest fires in the area.”
Camouflaged lining
In the external covering, we sought to use materials that could integrate with the environment. Therefore, the tower was clad in aged orange steel, which matches the tone of the area’s iron-rich soil and creates a “cohesive aesthetic.” The rest of the volumes are covered with tongue-and-groove wooden planks.
The roof is covered with vaporized metal in a shade that reflects pine bark, while the base of the house is covered with stones from the same place. This not only anchors the house, but “strengthens it against possible flames, acting as a protective measure against forest fires.”
Interior in steel, wood and stone
The house has an area of 498 m2 and hosts large rooms and a mix of earthy and industrial materials. The private and common spaces are located on the ground floor. Among the first there is the main bedroom and the office, while in the second there is the large living room, the kitchen, the garage and the preparation area for the hunt. The second floor includes two children’s bedrooms, a play area and a gym. The third floor represents the tower, which is a wellness space where you can relax.
The kitchen is one of the central points of the house, the place where the family loves to prepare and share meals. This space has a large island with a walnut top and a fireplace where you can cook, covered in limestone. The living room has a wood-burning fireplace wrapped in raw steel. This living room is double height and opens to an elevated patio with expansive views, where owners can spot wildlife like black bears and moose. Raw steel, together with reclaimed wood, is also used in the staircase that gives access to the upper levels.
