It is baffling to even imagine discovering a sleeping dinosaur-like massive house in the middle of a deserted badland with no humans in sight. Albuquerque-based architect Antoine Predock turned this wild imagination into reality by building the Placitas house for his entrepreneur client. This unique structure will give a serious Jurassic Park déjà vu. Perched on the untouched parcel of land in the Rio Grande Rift in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, New Mexico, this family retreat frames the rugged, untamed vistas of the site.
The late architect used earth-toned concrete and a steel-shingled roof to match the palette of the earth and sky of the arid desert. He gave a grounded profile to the Placitas house, making it part of the natural terrain. He strategically placed the thick concrete walls on the west side to absorb the heat and naturally regulate the temperature. The ample glazing on the eastern side brings in natural daylight.
The curved dinosaur spine-like extension has five bedrooms emerging out of its skeletal framework. This silhouette contours the natural terrain of the desert and prevents damage to the fragile landscape. At the heart of this curved extension lies the shimmering handmade steel-shingled roof, housing an amphitheater-like main living zone.
The glossy shingled roof above the main living zone looks like the scales of a serpentine creature that changes colors like a chameleon. Depending on how the sunlight hits the scaled roof, this beautiful interplay of light and shadow gives a new appearance to the house.
The red sandstone and pale limestone walkway leads to the dramatic entrance of the dinosaur house, which will blow your mind away. Every room in this house offers an expansive view of the rocky, mountainous terrain and captivating sky. The main living area, dubbed the great room, includes a dining zone and sits at the highest point, which gives the best views of the desert landscape through its wall-to-ceiling glazing.
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Guest bedrooms and private studies are located on both sides of the great room. Small private courtyards display a stunning art gallery featuring many prominent artists and provide private outdoor space for the owner and their family. The shaded courtyard, swimming pool, and multiple private outdoor spaces maintain an indoor-outdoor connection with the stunning desert landscape.
The Placitas house embodies the traditional southwestern architecture of New Mexico by incorporating natural materials in its construction. The way Predock built the giant dinosaur-like sculptural building without harming the desert terrain is truly outstanding. The curved spine extension functions as a walkway that slowly guides you to its expansive indoors and shaded outdoors while slowly revealing the gigantic might of the house.
Via: Wallpaper
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