Over the course of history, drainage paths carved and shaped the San Jacinto mountains in a way that resembles a series of faceted planes - this shaping is evident when the sun rises and morning light articulates the varying faces of the mountain range. The architecture and site borrow this faceted planar vernacular as it shapes many of the distinguishing features of the residence. The recurrence of this geometry is an ever-present reminder of the mountains, even when they are not directly visible.

The ridge-like geometry of the living area organizes the residence’s main social space while branches on either side extend northward. These branches connect varying program within the building while simultaneously functioning as a linear gallery for art and sculpture.

The Reflection Ridge residence prioritized sustainability as one of the main design drivers. Because of it’s location in Palm Springs, working with the sun and shade is paramount. The passive solar design of the project harnesses natural light while minimizing direct sunlighting into the residence.

The residence, shaped like a horseshoe, minimizes the amount of direct sunlight into the interior by limiting outward-facing glazing and capitalizing on unique window shapes. In the few locations where glazing is facing the outer edge of the horseshoe (the edge most exposed to the sun), narrow vertical windows and roof overhangs minimize the amount of direct sunlight.

The majority of the glazing is facing inward toward the courtyard which minimized direct solar exposure on the glazing and prioritizes brightness. The majority of the glazing in the residence is operable, allowing doors and windows to pocket away and release heat when the sun goes down behind the San Jacinto Mountains. This feature not only functions as a passive cooling mechanism, but also allows for the residence to live larger than it’s square footage may suggest. The indoor outdoor living capability allows for a smaller building footprint, thus, minimizing the amount of conditioned space and maximizing the amount of usable site space. Solar arrays blanket the roof of the building capitalizing on the abundant Palm Springs sun as a source for energy.

The landscape design emulates the faceted planar geometry that defines the main social space. A shardshaped pool and a raised infinity-edge spa are the “pearl” within a garden of native and water-efficient vegetation. Visible from almost every room in the residence, the spa reflects the vegetation and mountains beyond, consistently reiterating the property’s close proximity and influence from the San Jacinto Mountains beyond.

The site planting palette uses predominantly native and desert-adapted vegetation such as cactus, succulents, and other xeric planting which minimize the amount of water needed to irrigate the landscape.