Architecture fans - The Tucson Mountain Retreat

Very cool, the concept of thermal mass has been around for a while, works best in climates like the dessert.

Recently featured on a new Netflix show too. Amazing house.

Very modern. I like it to an extent but even I find it a little lacking. Like the firepit or the fireplace for that matter; if you're going to this extreme, you can do a bit more with those features.

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Anyway, some rich doctor & his wife built it to retire and when they interviewed her it was obvious she hated it and was likely never to sleep a night in it which is a damn shame because her husband built a masterpiece.

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Maybe this doctor was thinking ahead.

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That's called adobe. They have been doing it for a couple of thousand years.

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they didn't call it that..i think the term was 'rammed earth' or something like that which sounded like something different than what you're saying.

eta found this online which explains the difference:

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Adobe, which is also a mixture of dirt and clay, requires more moisture in the mix than rammed earth. It also requires more upfront time because adobe bricks must be left to cure in the sun until hardened. Rammed earth walls harden in the form, so that when the form is removed, the wall is already standing in place. You don't have to stack bricks or apply mortar with rammed earth construction, but whether it's actually quicker overall will depend on how fast the crew can tamp the earth.

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rammed earth walls contain excellent thermal mass. If you're visiting a rammed earth home in summer, you'll find the home to be nice and cool during the daytime, without the aid of an air conditioner or fan. If you're staying overnight, the home will begin to warm up as it cools down outside. This is due to the thermal flywheel effect. The walls hold in warmth and exude it about 12 hours later.

When done right, a rammed earth home will use only one-third as much energy as a conventional home, saving on energy bills [source: Whipple]. In cold climates, insulation can be added to rammed earth walls to improve their warmth.

The thick walls of rammed earth homes are also extremely fire-resistant because there are no flammable components in the earth. In addition, everything has been packed so tightly that there's little chance of combustion. In Australia, rammed earth walls have achieved the highest fire ranking available, withstanding a fire for four hours [source: Sirewall]. The walls are also rodent-resistant because they don't offer any food sources for insects or other vermin.

When completed, rammed earth walls can be left just as they are, or they can be finished with plasters, paints or siding. If left unfinished, the earth provides a natural, breathable wall, in comparison to artificial sidings with chemicals.

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It's uninspiring in my opinion.

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the point is to blend in so well with the surroundings that its virtually invisible.

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A dumb, trying way too hard concept that will eventually lead to someone breaking a leg.

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same thing the hosts on the show said.

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I like everything about it except:

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Agree. I really dislike that part. It reminds me of walking around Pompeii, or other ancient ruins, where you have to watch every step so you don’t fall or trip. Only this has sharp edges, so you’re more likely to get seriously hurt. It’s not relaxing to look at.

Coyotes

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they didn't call it that..i think the term was 'rammed earth' or something like that which sounded like something different than what you're saying.

eta found this online which explains the difference:

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Good reference and not knocking you at all but that source sounds a hell of a lot like some "Ram Earth" contractor trying to explain why he charges more than an Adobe contractor. Besides the fact that adobe is left to dry outside the forms, they sound exactly alike. FWIW, I know a bit about Adobe construction as I lived out in AZ for several years and looked into building a house out of the stuff.

From reading up on it, it just sounds like "rammed Earth" is dropped into the form and compacted in place. If they are using less moisture, I would have concerns over how hard the walls become over time. I can tell you from living out there that they have some pretty awesome storms in the desert from time to time and the wind blown sand is no joke. I saw cars lose their paint jobs during some of the dust storms.