(Paradise Valley, Ariz.) The dynamic architecture studio based in Cape Town, South Africa is an internationally sought-after residential architecture team with a global footprint of prestigious projects inspired by innovative design and original ideas. A Paradise Valley family engaged SAOTA in July of 2021 to design their 17,000-square-foot dream home on Starlight Way in the Cameldale Properties community. BedBrock Developers led by Rich Brock will build the magnificent structure while in-house architect Stratton Architects, with Principal Architect Stratton Andrews, serve as the local architect on the project. ARRCC, founded by SAOTA 26 years ago, is the interior designer with Mara Interior Design as the local consultant complemented by the local landscaping company Berghoff Design and Walter Spitz creative lighting designs.
SAOTA has an established presence in the luxury home market in the US and was recognized by the homeowner for some of their remarkable hillside designs in Los Angeles where the family’s second home is located. “What immediately drew us to SAOTA was their floating hillside designs which felt like an extension of the natural landscape. Every angle of the open-air design presented a different artistic expression of architectural elements and surrounding scenery,” says the husband. Nearly one year into the process, Principal Architect of SAOTA Mark Bullivant traveled to Arizona to present the conceptual visualizations at BedBrock’s office in Paradise Valley. The couple, together with the BedBrock team, were stunned by the grandeur of the architecture and how well it integrated into the desert hillside landscape. “We have found their design approach and methodology to be truly in line with our lifestyle and are blown away by what we have seen so far” the wife adds.
“We are excited to be working in such an iconic landscape and our first project in Arizona. With projects on multiple continents, we design buildings for diverse contexts, sites, and climates aspects that are core to our design ethos. The site is complex; which has given us unique opportunities on which to capitalize. Through our use of technology and support of strong local collaborators we’ve been able to understand and harness the property’s potential; which has resulted in a sculptural building guided by its surroundings.” says Principal Architect of SAOTA Mark Bullivant.
The homeowner’s extensive wish list is effortlessly incorporated in the design with a 68 ft. cantilevered glass-bottom infinity pool, 7 car display garage, walk-in wine cellar, 4 custom bars, a grand stargazing rooftop in addition to a floor-to-ceiling open glass yoga/wellness/spa room angled towards the iconic Praying Monk rock formation. Spectacular fire and water elements are naturally incorporated throughout the entire home and create a majestic expression in contrast to the modern design. Structural walls made of rammed earth from native soil blend the architecture with the natural beauty of Camelback Mountain. Grand terraces sprawl into the open framing distant views of Superstition Mountain to the East and Mummy Mountain to the North which was one of the requirements from the couple who loves to entertain.
“Hiring an architecture firm from South Africa we knew we needed a dependable local team with hillside knowledge and extensive industry experience. We were lucky to be introduced to Rich and Stratton who immediately demonstrated the expertise needed for this job and it’s been a wonderful experience this far” says the couple.
“To be included in a project of this caliber in our own backyard is an honor. We are diligently working through the technical design concepts that follow SAOTA’s high-engineered architecture. We are pleased that our industry is awarded with this next-level design as seen in comparable high-end neighborhoods around the world as it contributes to the extensive growth of ultra-high-end real estate in Paradise Valley and Arizona. We are really jazzed up to be working with clients so intensively involved in the design process, making the custom home journey collaborative, and rewarding” Rich Brock says.
The masterful design was recently recognized by the 2022 World Architecture Festival on their shortlist of finalists for the grand award presented in Lisbon December 2022.
“Being chosen as the local architect by world-renowned design studio SAOTA has been a fortunate endeavor. We have been busy collaborating with the top-tier consultants both here in the valley and overseas trying to curate this sculptural masterpiece. 9 unique bodies of water, fire features, sloping walls, floating planar roofs make this home so unique, yet challenging. We are all excited, as a team, to see this break ground and resonate over the next year” Stratton Andrews adds.
