“Harnessing the elements rather than fighting the environment”

In the remote Nevada desert, far from the bright lights of Las Vegas, lies a 7,800-square-foot stone residence that blends ancient building techniques with modern technology. At first glance, the structure resembles a fort due to its 28-foot-tall rotunda in the middle, but it’s actually a five-bedroom home that blends seamlessly into the arid desert environment.

Built by local architectural firm Daniel Joseph Chenin, the house offers stunning views of the magnificent Red Rock Canyon in a rocky outcrop in the Las Vegas Valley, according to Dezeen.

Called Fort 137, the massive stone structure puts a modern spin on the fort-like homes built by early Las Vegas settlers, “who relied on site-sourced materials and time-tested techniques for designing and building in an arid climate,” the studio told the outlet.

As Dezeen detailed, the home was designed to offer owners panoramic desert views through floor-to-ceiling windows and glass panels while keeping them cool through “thermally protected communal areas” inside.

Besides the stunning desert views and tranquil setting, the home has all the comforts and elegance a modern homeowner could want, such as a stone fountain, a rooftop lounge with a fireplace, a movie theater and a swimming pool.

One of the home’s main selling points is its retractable glass panel walls, which open onto a courtyard, providing residents with fresh air and natural light.

“Transparent halls and pocket gardens allow the desert to spill into the house,” the firm told Dezeen.

Perhaps most importantly, the home uses passive building techniques, which help reduce energy consumption and, as a result, residents’ electricity bills. These homes also benefit the environment by reducing pollution from polluting energy sources and helping to cool the planet.

Fort 137 was built with locally sourced and locally sourced materials, such as stone, stucco and recycled wood. Additionally, solar panels and a ballast roof, which includes a layer of gravel or stone for added insulation, give the home even more eco-friendly aspects.

“With a courtyard configuration, thick stone walls, deep windows and lattice shade structures, Fort 137 is anchored in the landscape and reclaims a passive approach to architecture by exploiting the elements rather than fighting the environment,” the team told Dezeen.

Passive houses are quickly gaining popularity, especially in desert environments where electricity bills are often very high in the summer. However, they are popping up in other places, even in large urban areas like Brooklyn and Houston, which could be a great solution to urban pollution, heat, and overloaded power grids once the trend takes off.

The movement toward environmentally friendly, climate-resilient homes will likely continue to grow, and both humans and the planet will be better off for it.

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