wendell burnette architects' telescope house clad in steel blends with arizona's desert

Telescope House by Wendell Burnette settles in Sedona

Telescope House by Wendell Burnette Architects is a 1600 sf dwelling strategically integrated into Sedona‘s high-desert landscape. Designed as a quarterly retreat, short-term rental, and permanent residence, the structure discreetly nestles within the existing footprint, bordered by 400-year-old Juniper trees framing Cathedral Rock. A land-based telescope, clad in weathering steel, extends toward the view, forming a telescopic-tube-hall that provides glimpses of the Cathedral while connecting private areas. The planimetric layout incorporates private/storage cabinets, merging with floors and ceilings to frame and draw the ever-changing view inward. Designed to recede into the landscape as a dark shadow the house’s interior interacts with natural light conditions and contributes to the home’s unobtrusive presence within the dark-sky-valley.

all images by Jason Roehner

corten steel and Recycled wood make up Telescope House

Environmentally, the design by Wendell Burnette Architects prioritizes sustainability with a compact layout, corten cladding for fireproofing, and strategically shaded glass. The heating strategy includes a pellet stove, passive solar gain, and a future south-facing photovoltaic field. Recycled wood-dust panels with dark pigment contribute to interior finishes, as two artworks etched within showcase solar-noon-south-facing analemma and solstice/lunistice mirrored timelines. Telescope House harmoniously inhabits the serene valley, honoring the unique bucolic character of its surroundings with a low-impact, enduring architectural presence.

clad in weathering steel, Telescope House extends towards iconic Cathedral Rock

telescopic-tube-hall connects private areas, offering glimpses of the landscape

the structure discreetly nestles within the existing footprint, bordered by 400-year-old Juniper trees

recycled dark wood-dust panels enhance the interior reflecting the sunset’s colors

hall from the carport to the living area reveals a series of concealed rooms behind stepped door panels

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view from South

car entry into West end

Telescope House plan and section

stepped/lapping corten cladding 'filet' layout

project info:

name: Telescope House
architect: Wendell Burnette Architects | @wendellburnettearchitects

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom