A modern mountainside home in Carefree, Arizona
Eric Spry, Spry Architecture
The Prugh Home is a 4,600-square-foot modern desert residence located in Carefree, Arizona, and designed by Eric Spry of Spry Architecture. Perfectly positioned on a dramatic hillside, this custom home captures sweeping panoramic views of nearly every major landmark in the greater Phoenix–Scottsdale region. From the elevated homesite, residents enjoy direct sightlines to Four Peaks, Pinnacle Peak, Black Mountain, the Boulders, Desert Mountain, and — on a clear day — even Camelback Mountain. At night, the home overlooks the glittering city lights of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Carefree, offering a rare combination of natural grandeur and urban connection.
The home is carefully sited to follow the natural south-facing slope of the land, minimizing excavation and blending harmoniously with the terrain. To combat the intense southern sun, deep cantilevered overhangs protect floor-to-ceiling glass while preserving the stunning views. Two pyramid-shaped roofs hover above the home, creating a dramatic silhouette. High clerestory windows beneath these roof forms allow soft light to penetrate deep into the core of the house — a signature move in Spry Architecture’s modern desert vocabulary. The entire floor plan is rotated 45 degrees off-grid, allowing nearly every interior space — from living room to master suite — to enjoy framed mountain or city views. The design seamlessly integrates indoor–outdoor living, with multiple patios and view decks oriented for both day and nighttime enjoyment.
The Prugh Home is a bold yet sensitive expression of contemporary desert architecture, tailored to maximize the site’s unmatched views while integrating sustainable design principles. From its soaring clerestories to its sculptural rooflines and strategic solar shading, the home embodies Spry Architecture’s philosophy of contextual, modern, livable design in Arizona’s high desert.
Landon Wiggs
Craig Eckhardt