During the sweltering heat of summer, many dream of escaping to a cooler climate. In the midst of tall trees in Pine, Arizona, an old-world retreat skillfully blends modern and traditional elements, capturing the early character and charm of the mountain town while providing a much-needed sanctuary from the heat.

The residence, built primarily as a summer escape from the Sonoran desert heat, grows harmoniously and naturally from its site. The essential character of the design was influenced by the early buildings of the National Parks, and, as is the case with National Park buildings, all stone came from site excavation and clearly reads as a structural element, not as a veneer.

Attention to southern and northern exposures helped to determine design choices. On southern exposures, heavily insulated walls mitigate summer heat gain, while the stone wall mass on the northern exposure slowly releases coolness during daytime hours. This passive form of cooling helps the interior remain comfortable until early evening. As the outside temperature drops throughout the night, the thick stone walls absorb and retain the cooler temperature, later releasing the stored energy. This is often referred to as a Trombe wall, where the energy is stored and released in a flywheel effect.