DUST's Sombra de Santa Fe: A Geological Dwelling Piercing the New Mexico Landscape
Perched on a mesa in northern New Mexico, the Sombra de Santa Fe residence by DUST is designed as a vessel for observation, with semi-enclosed porches cut into its monolithic form to frame cardinal views of jagged peaks and basins. The 2,100-square-foot home, featuring two bedrooms and RV hookups, balances openness to the elements with shelter. Founding principals Jesús Edmundo Robles Jr. and Cade Manning Hayes of the Tucson-based firm conceived the porches as traditional Mexican salas, where the roof lifts in one to bring stars close. The design intentionally evokes James Turrell's Skyspace installations, with alcove darkness amplifying mountain shadows that shift daily.
Key facts
- Sombra de Santa Fe is located on a mesa in northern New Mexico with 360-degree views of the high desert.
- The home was designed by DUST, a Tucson, Arizona-based practice.
- The structure is monolithic, pierced by semi-enclosed porches cut to cardinal point viewsheds.
- The design intentionally references James Turrell's Skyspace installations.
- Jesús Edmundo Robles Jr. is founding principal of DUST.
- Cade Manning Hayes is fellow founding principal of DUST.
- The home is 2,100 square feet with two bedrooms and RV plumbing hookups.
- Porches are conceived as salas, traditional Mexican great rooms, for hosting or solitary contemplation.
Entities
Artists
- James Turrell
- Jesús Edmundo Robles Jr.
- Cade Manning Hayes
Institutions
- DUST
Locations
- Santa Fe
- New Mexico
- United States
- Tucson
- Arizona