Monk View

Native Sonoran plants connect home to mountain

Landscapes  >  Monk View

In the foothills of Camelback Mountain, The Green Room revives an outdated and hot courtyard to create a contemporary and sustainable landscape that reflects the native hillside environment.

Salvaged Ironwood and Foothill Palo Verde trees adjust the scale and provide habitat for native wildlife, and create shaded micro-climates in the interior courtyard to reduce temperatures. Contrasts of form and texture arise out of the selection of drought tolerant plants from the Upland Sonoran desert. The hillside location and elevation create numerous micro-climates prompting an analysis of the seasonal sun path to guide the selection of plants and materials.

New hardscape juxtaposes clean lined, textural concrete with a lush landscape full of strong and wild organic forms. The sunken fire pit is the heart of the courtyard and marks the intersection of formal and unstructured elements.

Large boulders form seats. Named for the views of Praying Monk rock outcropping, this landscape composes an immersive desert terrain as a contemplative space for reflection and tranquility.