Blackburn Home

  • Location

    A modern mountainside home in Carefree, AZ

  • Architect

    Eric Spry, Spry Architecture

  • Rooted in the Landscape

    The Blackburn Home is a 4,500-square-foot modern desert residence perched on the slopes of Black Mountain in Carefree, Arizona, designed by Eric Spry of Spry Architecture. Overlooking the Phoenix valley, this home is a striking example of contemporary hillside architecture that responds sensitively and boldly to its Sonoran Desert surroundings. Designed to nestle into its rugged hillside site, the Blackburn Home is deeply woven into the land through geometry, color, and materiality. The architecture is grounded in the natural rock forms and desert hues of Black Mountain, while elevated by sweeping views and thoughtfully framed sightlines. Expansive glass apertures throughout the home invite light and landscape into the interiors, connecting daily life to the natural rhythms of sun, shadow, weather, and seasonal change. The design blurs boundaries between indoor and outdoor, opening to the desert without compromising shelter.

  • Materials and Methods

    A signature element of the design is its dramatic cantilevered roof overhangs, which provide shade and protection from the harsh desert sun while extending over generous outdoor living spaces. These overhangs create a balance of passive cooling, architectural drama, and livable comfort. In addition, the home is solar-powered, with photovoltaic panels integrated into the architecture to offset energy use and contribute to a low-impact desert lifestyle. Every material and exterior finish was selected with intention — not just for durability, but to create harmony with the surrounding terrain. The color palette echoes earth tones and rock textures of Black Mountain, allowing the home to recede into the landscape and avoid visual disruption.

  • Thoughtful Design for a Harsh and Beautiful Landscape

    The Blackburn Home exemplifies Spry Architecture’s vision for modern residential design in the Sonoran Desert — bold, functional, responsive to its context, and deeply livable. With clean modern lines, climate-conscious detailing, and a site-first approach, this home honors the rugged terrain of Black Mountain while delivering elevated everyday living.

  • Rendering Credits

    Stephen SanMarco