Edmonds House, Animas Valley

This custom contemporary home was built on a bluff above New Mexico's 85-mile Animas Valley. Architect Jim Rothwell explains that the massing follows directly from an analysis of the views: having taken the measure of them, the clients settled on a strong yet simple form, coupled with a site-driven expression of natural materials.

The cladding is rough sawn Kebony Clear in 25 x 150 mm boards. The material was chosen for its natural timber texture and deep brown colour, which will develop a silver-grey patina without intervention.

Weathering without any finish answers the minimal-maintenance objective set for the project, on an isolated and exposed building. The architect sums up the approach in three terms: strength in form, calm in approach, natural in finish.