Client Brief: A couple passionate about watersports wanted a lake house that combined modern comfort with resilience. Their goal was a home capable of operating off-grid, with direct access to the water for skiing, paddling, and gathering outdoors.
Location: The property sits along the Gila River in central Arizona, within a waterski community that stalled during the Great Recession and has only recently come back to life. The site is remote, exposed to desert heat and wind, and demanded a design that could stand independently.
Design Solution: The house is organized as a long, narrow form aligned with the lake. A continuous board-formed concrete walkway extends from the street to the water, reinterpreting a beachfront boardwalk for the desert. It leads directly to the boathouse and creates a spine for circulation.
Energy comes from a 10kW solar array paired with battery storage, powering the home and charging the owners’ electric vehicles. Water is managed through a well, septic system, and retention basins.
Outdoor living defines the layout. Sixty percent of the roofed area is covered exterior space: courtyards, patios, fireplaces, a hot tub, and a pool. A sheltered courtyard provides a wind-free zone inspired by Argentine Gaucho traditions. Large overhangs and operable openings maximize ventilation and shade.
The roofline and stilts echo the rhythm of waterski buoys. The design is based on the number eight, symbolizing the figure-eight turns of skiing. Recreation is supported by two garages, one for cars, another for desert gear, and a compact boathouse with a bunk room, kitchen, and boat slip.
Result: Ski Ranch is a house shaped by sport and survival. It generates its own power, holds its own water, and provides shelter from heat and wind. At the same time it opens fully to the lake, where skiing and gathering define daily life. The design is resilient, self-reliant, and made for motion.
