ranger residence

fall 2016

type: residence

location: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley, CA

After a trip to Death Valley's Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, I designed a ranger residence and public visitor space. The building houses two rangers while also accommodating several public amenities including an education porch and shaded overlook. 

Because of the harsh desert climate, I incorporated many passive cooling design systems. All glazing is protected with a wing wall, overhang, or both; the viewing porch acts as a shade for the bedrooms' roof below; all walls are 12" thick concrete to absorb heat during the day and release it in the cooler night; and there is a mixture of operable windows and screens for shading and passive ventilation.