Torcasso Residence

Santa Fe, NM

Project Description

The Torcasso House is inspired by the spectacular landscape of northern New Mexico and by the prospect of living in nature in a way that creates a constant and memorable connection to the mountains, the sky, the air and the climate of this extraordinary place.

The house lies long and low, hugging the contours of a steep hill just under its crest. Expansive views from its north face stretch to Espanola and Los Alamos twenty miles away and survey layers of mountain ranges beyond a broad valley. The south face of the house works with a 20-foot rock outcrop on the side of the hill to create a long, thin, sunny courtyard.

In the midsection of the house two rammed earth volumes delimit the public spaces and frame 60-foot apertures that link the living/dining/kitchen area to the broad view one one side and to the contained courtyard on the other. Large operable glass panels slide away to create complete continuity from panorama, open terrace, trellised outdoor room and high-ceilinged interior space on the north side to more intimate wood-capped interior space, roofed terrace and courtyard to the south.

More/