The Sun Diamond House developed for a desert climate is an off-the-grid 240-square-meter home situated in a narrow valley that eroded into sedimentary rock during the last ice age. Drawing influence from historic temples, tombs, and dwellings, the design is inspired by the site and the goal of meeting a net-zero standard.

The proposed house is naturally cooled and ventilated while harvesting water for an integrated hydroponic oasis. An engineered, prefabricated mass timber roof is suspended above and anchored to the rocks using cables. The edge of this undulating canopy is floated by slender steel columns and an additional concrete wall that ensure structural rigidity. The roof consists of two interlocking yet inverted cones, one of which operates like a funnel to collect rainwater that nourishes the hydroponic oasis. During dry seasons, a minimal amount of well water can be used to irrigate the plants. The other features an oculus and connects to a thermal cooling ETFE foil chimney. Both conical elements are connected by a cast-in-place diamond-shaped plane clad in solar panels.

Perfectly positioned toward the afternoon sun, 144 photovoltaic shingles will generate 16-thousand kWh of energy per year—more than the building can consume. The excess wattage could be used to power electric vehicles. According to calculations made by our climate engineer, the home will require no additional cooling. A large movable mirror on top of the eastern rock formation will redirect additional sunlight into the valley.

As the interior is shaded, a neon artwork mounted to the interior of the diamond-shaped plane will take on a striking appearance during the day. Its main effect will only become apparent at night when it illuminates the building’s open floor plan and outwardly emits a mysterious glow. All of this is in keeping with our office’s ongoing exploration of celestial orientation, sustainability, and context. Double-glazed curved glass walls will allow for a strong visual connection to intimate natural surroundings. As the proposed house can only be inhabited by an individual or a couple, it includes one bedroom defined by an elevated rammed earth platform and a curved wall. A similar element separates a study library and bathroom from the main living room, which edges up against a cantilevered rock wall.

The overall layout of the building, its interior spaces, custom furnishings, and finishes all reflect the “flower of life” pattern in which circles intersect at a 60-degrees angle. As a result of this geometry and adherence to harmonious proportion, a diamond rhomboid tilts at the same 35.26439° angle as half of one of the plane’s acute corners (see diagram at the bottom for clarification). This unique motif also reflects the slope of a diagonal line placed inside a cube or the spatial order of atoms that make up amethysts or diamond crystals. It is the ideal angle for a gemstone crown that makes jewelry sparkle. The overall scheme centers on wellness, a sense of calm, creating a closer connection to the cosmos, and implementing sustainable materials. The result is a site-specifc celebration of context.