February 16, 2024

Monumental Family Retreat by Drewett Works Architecture (Scottsdale, AZ)

A Modern Desert Masterpiece

Architect: Drewett Works Architecture | drewettworks.com
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Square feet: 70,000
Structures: 4
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 11

The building of STRATA, a monumental family retreat on 250 acres in the Sonoran Desert, was no small feat. It took foresight, ingenuity, collaboration and a highly experienced team to bring this bespoke home to completion.

Inspired by 20th-century modernism, architect C.P. Drewett designed the 70,000-square-foot estate as four buildings–a primary residence, a car collector’s show garage, a game arcade, and a wellness/manager’s suite. Due to its large scale, a restrained materials palette of rammed earth, Douglas fir, concrete, steel and glass was chosen.

The connection to the desert is unmistakable, with large expanses of glass pocketing into rammed earth walls, allowing indoor spaces immediate access to the outdoors. Deep overhangs protect the interiors from the harsh Arizona sun yet maintain view corridors to picturesque mountainscapes.

Architecturally unique, the home was designed to create a calm, peaceful environment for family and friends yet allow for entertaining on a large scale. A chef’s kitchen, Olympic- size swimming pool, wellness center, beautifully landscaped courtyards, walking trails, plus numerous outdoor living spaces make STRATA a home like no other.

AMENITIES

Rammed earth walls; multi-car collector’s show garage; wellness center with fully-equipped gym, massage therapy room and Himalayan salt room; stadium-size chef’s kitchen; 52-foot-long glass and teak pocket door; Olympic-sized pool; stand-alone game arcade with shuffleboard, bocce ball, bar and custom wine room.

FEATURED CONTRACTORS

Architect: Drewett Works Architecture
Custom home builder: Desert Star Construction
Custom pool: Phoenician Pool
Flooring: Premiere Wood Floors
Interior design: David Michael Miller Associates
Lighting design: Creative Designs in Lighting
Kitchen design: Bulthaup Scottsdale
Photography: Werner Segarra