High Desert Contemporary Sedona Homes

High Desert Contemporary", so as a style, what does it mean and how does it translate to Sedona residential design?  Let's break it down.

• "High Deserts" are inland desert elevations that are typically 2,000 feet or more above sea level found in parts of the western US and other parts of the world.  Sedona, Arizona is a classic example of high desert land sitting approximately 4500 feet above sea level.  Deserts receive an average of ten or fewer inches of precipation a year.  Sedona actually receives 18 inches per year compared to the US average of 37 inches.  The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 60.  On average, there are 278 days that are sunny.  The July average high is 96 and the January average low is 31.  The swing between the high and low temperature of the day can be as much as 40 degrees.  The character of high desert lands varies from location to location.  Sedona is known for the stunning red rock mountain scape, the rich green vegitation and the brilliant blue skies.  So the design of a dwelling must take these factors into careful consideration.
• "Contemporary"  The term "contemporary" is often confused with the term "modern".  "Contemporary" is a referrence to time (usually the present), while "modern" is a referrance to style.  Beethoven was a "contemporary" in his day!  And "mid-century modern" is no longer contemporary.  Today, "contemporary" is typlically clean in form and natural in texture and tone.  But each designer may have their own interpretation of contemporary.

So to put it together, a high desert contemporary home is a house that is designed to work well with the climate conditions and the physical character of a particular high elevation region, interpretated in the present day.  That's a wopper!  Here is a conceptual interpretation of a High Desert Contemporary home design for Sedona, Arizona, designed by Sustainable Sedona.  Notice how the tones, textures, shapes and shadows conform with the environment.