Celebrating the character of the property and drawing upon the homeowners’ “affinity for the outdoors,” the home features a striking entry rotunda structure with a height of 28 feet. “A modern interpretation paying homage to the old fort structures of early settlements that once dotted the desert landscape of the Las Vegas Valley,” as Chenin would quip. Not only does it catch the eye, but the rock structure meets the brief from the clients who wanted a home that considers nature and “[minimises] environmental impact” as its construction filters out the external desert heat while keeping the home cool.

“The idea of the rotunda recalls the kivas that were gathering spaces of the Anasazi, Hopi, and Navajo peoples who inhabited the region; it also serves as a palette cleanser that prepares you for the rest of the house, a scene setter that slows you down, reorienting you for what is to come next,” reflects Chenin. “Inside the rotunda is a bubbling pool of water, its sound and smell create a moment of pause to refocus you as you enter.”

Beyond the architectural vision, Fort 137 provides a relaxing haven for the family with 7,848 sq ft of liveable spaces. Designed with an open plan layout that is compact and clustered, each dedicated room inside the home achieves a sense of tranquility. This includes the strategic use of that elements such as the stacked rock masses are “carefully placed to maximise views of the surrounding landscape while mitigating the harsh effects of the desert sun and wind” and large windows and glass panels that allow natural light and expansive panoramas of the natural surroundings.

“Fort 137 is an open structure, organised into three layers, which radiate out from a communal nucleus to a periphery of private zones, explains Chenin. “Seeking a sustainable place to connect with the natural surroundings, our design centred on creating an experiential space for family gathering. [The clients] wanted the central core to be about their family with generous communal type spaces [while having] private spaces and the infrastructure for the house on the periphery. [It was crucial to seperate] these communal and independent areas [as] we arranged the structure and developed the courtyard concept.

Drawing upon the notion of sustainability, the home is “designed to achieve net zero energy with passive strategies to minimise consumption paired with solar generation” with the hopes of “retaining an enduring design” that could be retained centuries on. As this was top of mind the process involved “site orientation, thermal massing, daylighting, and natural ventilation, along with an airtight envelope and high efficiency systems,” to help reduce energy use, water shortages and erosion. Organic and natural materials like stone, brass, and wood were also heavily sourced for the built environment and interiors for bespoke furnishings that are incorporated. The home also is given contemporary modern look with found design objects that are given a new lease of life.

“As a native Nevadan, I have a deep affinity for the American Southwest—its powerful landscapes, its vivid colors and its various ecological challenges. The environment provides both scarcity and abundance—a perennial dearth of water as well as seemingly limitless sunshine, these are the environmental realities of the desert Southwest,” says Chenin. “With thick, robust walls, comprised of regional stone rather than adobe, deep-set fenestration, trellis shade structures, and interior courtyards sheltered from the desert beyond, Fort 137 reclaims the vernacular of Las Vegas’ early settlements by utilising proven, sustainable methods for designing in the desert to protect against the harsh desert sun, wind, and heat. For me, green design is about form, shape and order to harness natural elements of desert ecosystems. These passive techniques also address the present challenges of a warming climate and resources shortages.”

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