Location

A modern home in Phoenix, Arizona

Architect

Eric Spry, Spry Architecture

A Bold Architectural Statement in Suburban Phoenix

Located in a traditional suburban neighborhood of Phoenix, Arizona, the Black House is a 2,400-square-foot custom residence designed by Eric Spry of Spry Architecture. With a dark, unapologetically industrial material palette and bold sculptural presence, the Black House proudly stands as the architectural “incident” this neighborhood never expected — but absolutely needed. This modern desert home includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a separate guest quarters with its own bath, all wrapped in a unique envelope of rusted steel, exposed metal, and minimalist landscaping. It doesn't just blend in — it tells a story.

Suburbia Reimagined

The inspiration for the Black House draws, surprisingly, from a children’s book — The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater — a whimsical tale about architectural individuality in a world of cookie-cutter homes. Like Mr. Plumbean, the fictional homeowner who transforms his ordinary house to match his dreams, this real-life home challenges the norms of suburban sameness. The Black House exists as an intentional contrast: surrounded by a sea of stucco and pink-tinted tile roofs, it redefines what a home can be in suburban Phoenix. From the rusty steel screen that hides the pool equipment and utilities to the sparse landscape design that treats each plant like a sculpture, every element is carefully curated to provoke, to surprise, and to inspire.

A Home That Reflects Identity

Like the message of The Big Orange Splot, the Black House is a celebration of personal expression through architecture. It challenges preconceived expectations of what a home in Phoenix “should” look like — and in doing so, it transforms the street into a place of possibility. As Mr. Plumbean said, “My house is me and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams.” This home is a built manifesto of that very idea.

Recognition

Published in the Arizona Republic, Houzz and seen on Fox 10 news “Cool House” segment.

Photo Credits