A Desert Oasis Home by Daniel Joseph Chenin
Nestled into the rugged beauty of the Las Vegas Valley, this home designed by Daniel Joseph Chenin, Ltd. is an experiential oasis exquisitely crafted for the family who commissioned it. Inspired by the fort-like structures of 1800s-era settlers to the area, lead architect Daniel Joseph Chenin’s creation is a warm and contemporary home named Fort 137. With the client out of state, the firm showcased its extensive turn-key skills on this project, providing a full scope of architectural and interior design to love. Read on and enjoy the beauty of this desert oasis!
Fort 137, A Design for Experiences
Views of the Red Rock Canyon and bordering protected land make Fort 137’s setting truly majestic. Inside a primary suite, a secondary suite, three additional bedrooms, and a large communal living and dining area define the space. During the 15-month build, the outdoors also received a heavy dose of attention, including an entry rotunda, a shaded courtyard, and a view frame overlooking the surrounding landscape.
From Outdoors to In
Looking to create a space to experience, Daniel Joseph Chenin’s design of the entry rotunda is the starting point. A modern interpretation of the old fort structures, the rotunda serves as a transition from the desert heat to the cooler interior.
Once inside the rotunda, the cooling experience continues with the sound of running water from a stone fountain. Leading from inside the rotunda, a winding staircase arrives at a rooftop lounge with a fire pit and more stunning desert views.
Leaving the cool respite of the rotunda, the desert climate appears again in the internal courtyard. A transition space that once again melds the home with its natural surroundings.
Moving back inside, the first space is a shaded courtyard perfect for family meals and gatherings. And strikingly set against a 75-ton boulder backdrop excavated from the site. A design statement to carefully note! The courtyard also features a stunning window seat offering up a stunning live picture frame view of the desert landscape.
A Warm and Inviting Interior
The living spaces of Fort 137 sit within three complementary volumes. Defined throughout by giant sliding glass panel walls, which provide more than just views, offering cross-ventilation and an abundance of sunlight in just the right places. Above all, the interior of Fort 137 is home to the family who inhabits it.
Daniel Joseph Chenin curated a warm and inviting selection of furnishings and art for the interior. Each space is designed for experiential moments, whether enjoyed in solitude or jubilantly with family or guests. Finally, when it comes to the finishes, the firm chose stone, wood, and brass to fill the interior. A perfect set of materials for a desert oasis.
A Pool for Thought
After passing through the main living areas, a return to the outdoors is made in this desert oasis. This time to a tranquil pool deck with a view to truly take your breath away.
One with Nature
In addition to bringing beauty, comfort, and serenity, and fitting with its attachment to nature, Fort 137 is also eco-conscious. The design team worked to offset the home’s carbon footprint throughout the process and to reduce its dependence on the grid. Sustainable features include a photovoltaic panel infrastructure and ballast roofing, along with passive cooling, thermal mass, and radiant heating.
Furthermore, a number of the materials used at Fort 137 showcase sustainable living at its finest. Beautiful examples are seen in a reconstituted wood veneer derived from sawmill byproducts and waste. And in the repurposing of the rocks and earth extracted during the building process.
Other materials, such as weathered steel, hot rolled steel, and travertine, were selected for their ability to age and patina with the desert climate. Thus allowing the home to even further integrate with its natural surroundings. A truly holistic masterpiece!
Project Team: Daniel Joseph Chenin, Eric Weeks, Kevin Welch, Esther Chung, Jose Ruiz, Grace Ko, Alberto Sanchez, Debra Ackermann, Julie Nelson
Project Consultants:
Contractor: Forté Specialty Contractors
Civil Engineer: McCay Engineering
Landscape Architect: Vangson Consulting, LLC
Structural Engineer: Vector Structural Engineering
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing: Engineering Partners, Inc.
Pool & Water Features: Ozzie Kraft Custom Pools
Millwork Design; Daniel Joseph Chenin, Ltd.
Furniture Fixtures & Accessories: Daniel Joseph Chenin, Ltd.
Art Consultant: Daniel Fine Art Services
AV & Controls: Audio Integrations
Photo Credits: Stetson Ybarra, Stephen Morgan, Daniel Joseph Chenin | v2vom
Feature Photo Credit: Stephen Morgan
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