September 17, 2024

Hidden Technology in a Desert Oasis (Scottsdale, AZ)

The dry Arizona climate is ideal for outdoor living. With low humidity and minimal bugs, homeowners can enjoy their outdoor areas year-round. Whether you’re building your dream home or renovating your current home creating the perfect outdoor space is paramount. With the right team by your side, you can balance all of your ideas and interests to create the perfect functional extension of your home.

Establishing the Ideal Setting

According to project architect Scott Carson of Cosan Studio, the goal was to design a home that blurs the lines between inside and outside. Creating an environment that allows for entertaining and simply being with family and friends. However, the biggest challenge he needed to overcome was also the advantage the location boasted: abundant sunlight.

“In Arizona there is always a challenge on how the sun is mitigated in the summer months,” said Carson, who is the founder of Cosan Studio. “The views on the lot were to the West, where the sun is setting. Utilizing the latest software, we were able to see how the sun would play on the structure and provide covered patios and overhangs that help to protect and provide shade to the home.”

Carson explained that in the plan, the home slowly emerges as first a stucco mass and then a large monolithic stone wall before the front entry opens to view. Two art galleries flank the front entry door and allow for a brief glimpse into the home and the art on display. Once the front door is opened visitors see a view of the mountains.

“Then you realize the magic of the site and the way the home is placed on the lot,” added Carson. “The home unfolds and the views are exposed the deeper you go into the residence.”

Making a Statement

The interior floors seem to flow outside into a natural stone that mimics the interior porcelain almost exactly. The home’s architectural stacked stone and stucco surfaces creates a simple aesthetic inside and outside the home, allowing the windows and doors to take center stage. For a complete living area that feels just as comfortable as the inside space, designer Kristin Hazen of Kristin Hazen Design established multiple seating areas adjacent to an elegant pool. These include a simple dining area, a larger lounge space, and more intimate seating around a fire element. Each of these are illuminated thoughtfully at night, allowing views of the sunset, and enjoy some shade during the hot daytime hours.

“Space was limited but we were able to work in so many resort-style features and amenities on just a smaller scale,” said Hazen.

While completely hidden in the ceiling when desired, the most impactful luxury element in this outdoor space is the Nexus 21 drop down TV lift. This motorized TV lift is secreted away when the surrounding views are to be enjoyed, but at the command of an iPhone app or with a nearby iPad, it elegantly drops down to the perfect viewing height in the lounge seating area.

This 65-inch TV is positioned in the Nexus 21 model CL-65e. This model was designed for high ceilings and homeowners who are looking for a more flexible viewing experience. It can be installed in the ceiling framing or bolted directly to the ceiling surface, requires only 7-5/8-in. of vertical space for in-ceiling installations, and accommodates TV sizes up to 65 inches wide. Connected to Crestron, the TV is easily controllable. Installing the unit itself was also easy, even though not all parties involved were initially familiar with the product. The quick installation and the final result convinced everyone involved to recommend Nexus 21 again.

“TVs are an important part of the homeowners’ lifestyle, and incorporating TVs on the exterior can be problematic,” said Carson. “However, the Nexus 21 lift was the perfect solution.”

We had such an amazing and collaborative team for this project,” said Hazen. “Projects always go so much smoother with that being a factor. And the clients were huge supporters and cheerleaders of the team that they assembled, and they had trust in all of us to create their dream home, which made the project fun.”

To learn more about Nexus 21, please visit www.tvlift.com.