The Woods + Dangaran office continues to elevate the modernist soul of the American West desert through its recent project in Utah.

The residential designs of Woods + Dangaran, founded by Brett Woods and Joseph Dangaran, remain a delight for lovers of design and modernist architecture in arid lands. Their first monograph (published by Rizzoli), which we highlighted in the pages ofAcumen (29), took stock of their attachment to this post-war American movement and their constant celebration of it. Rectilinear forms, open-plan spaces, eco-responsible materials, landscaping, modernist and contemporary furniture… All of this can be found in one of their recent projects, Moccasin Flats, further enhancing a revolutionary lifestyle adapted to the 21st century^e century. The architects invite us to Hurricane, a city in Utah with more than 20,000 inhabitants, located just outside the nature reserve of Zion National Park.

To blend into the landscape

The rigorous geometry of the three residences embraces the arid landscape, softened by native vegetation. These parallelepipeds create a truly organic visual contrast with the stark verticality of the mesa so typical of the American West. They offer both privacy and framed views of the desert panorama. The structure, a blend of plaster, stone, and local concrete, integrates seamlessly into the surroundings. « Outside, passersby might not even notice the houses are there."As for the open-plan interiors, with their 3-meter ceilings, they generously allow sunlight to flood the gently brutalist-style dwellings through atriums, skylights, and glass skylights," explains Joseph Dangaran. The whole is enhanced by a long infinity pool, inviting well-being and outdoor conviviality.

Nathalie Dassa

woodsdangaran.com