SONORAN ADOBE

Along the Santa Cruz River in Tucson, Arizona, this 1930s home, made of mud and wood, began as a simple square room with an outdoor cooking kitchen. Over time, the home expanded incrementally, one room at a time, growing into a square grid of four rooms: a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Situated on the bank of the river just outside the historic barrios, the neighborhood was once farmland. Today, the home stands at the crossroads of an agrarian past and a modern present. 

Adobe bricks were made and dried in the yard, plaster was crafted from sand and lime, and a light touch was applied to preserve the home’s historical character. While modern updates were added, such as a kitchen, it was placed in a way that feels almost detached from the original structure. One wall section, shaped like an “L,” was built to create a new bathroom, closet, and bedroom, separate from the rest of the house. This wall houses all the utilities and central air, allowing the original adobe walls and ceiling to be restored but essentially unmodified. 

RECONSTRUCTION

The renovation was guided by a philosophy of minimal intervention, preserving the home’s original character. All existing openings were restored and fitted with custom wood windows and doors. The adobe walls were repaired as necessary, including extensive rebuilds in the kitchen area. A new roof assembly was framed above the existing wood ceiling, and the space was fully insulated. 

Historically, the home had an outhouse, and later, a small bathroom was enclosed in the back porch. While much of the renovation involved stripping back and removing these later additions, the most significant modification was the addition of a new bathroom within the existing adobe footprint. To preserve as many of the original adobe openings as possible, the bathroom was carefully integrated into the layout with two entrances, one leading to each bedroom. The closet system was designed to provide privacy from the living room while allowing direct access to the bathroom without entering the bedroom. 

In addition to the architectural work, the renovation also focused on environmental restoration. Rubble from the construction was repurposed to reshape the terrain and collect stormwater. Native plant species and seed mixes were then distributed throughout the site to restore the local habitat.