White Dates: The Ranch Mine’s Mid-Century Modern Tribute in Phoenix
Discover the architectural marvel known as White Dates, an impeccable tribute to Phoenix, Arizona’s mid-century modern aesthetic, seamlessly crafted by The Ranch Mine. This single-story house offers not just a home, but an experience of timeless design and extraordinary landscape views.
Nestled in the vicinity of the iconic Al Beadle’s ‘White Gates’, ‘White Dates’ captures the charm of Phoenix’s architectural history while composing a fresh narrative for its locale. This stunning creation blends effortless indoor-outdoor living, offering spectacular views of the Camelback Mountain and integrating a truly distinctive feature – a date palm marking its entrance, a homage to both its predecessor and the beauty of the Phoenix terrain.
About White Dates
Reviving Midcentury Elegance with a Modern Twist
When the innovative architects from The Ranch Mine first pulled up to their new project site in Phoenix in the fall of 2018, their eyes fell upon an unexpected surprise. Across the street lay the iconic midcentury home designed by Al Beadle, known as “White Gates.” This renowned dwelling, empty for years, presented the architects with a unique challenge: design a contemporary home that both honored its iconic neighbor and added a fresh narrative to this distinct neighborhood.
Immediately, the architects dubbed their house “White Dates,” a tongue-in-cheek homage to the neighboring “White Gates,” while drawing inspiration from the Date palm trees that dotted their site. One such tree, in particular, was used as a signature mark to highlight the home’s entrance.
Designing with Nature in Mind: Maximizing Mountain Views
The home’s layout was meticulously planned to prioritize views of the stunning Camelback Mountain. Both the expansive great room and the primary suite were strategically placed to capture these breathtaking vistas. The great room stands out with floor-to-ceiling pocketing glass doors on both sides, inviting cool breezes from the mountain while offering a seamless transition to front and rear patios for the epitome of indoor-outdoor living.
Bridging the Past and Present: Honoring Midcentury Design
To pay tribute to the neighboring midcentury icon, The Ranch Mine integrated midcentury modern design elements into the house in a fresh, contemporary manner. The front patio serves as a striking testament to this connection. Breezeblocks were used to screen the road and direct the viewer’s attention towards the distant mountain.
The breezeblocks, sourced from a local company, were used in a grander scale than typically seen in midcentury applications. Exterior patios and walkways were made with flagstone, and the house’s entry was dramatically punctuated by a singular Date palm tree growing through a triangular aperture towards the sky, a tribute to Albert Frey’s entrance to Palm Springs City Hall.
Throughout the home, elements such as the Date palm leaf pattern subtly reiterate this homage, serving as inspiration for the wood details behind the bar and the midcentury-like screen wall in the formal sitting area.
A Palette that Puts Nature Center Stage
The Ranch Mine crafted the home’s interior palette with restraint, allowing the mountain vistas and midcentury design elements to take center stage. Concrete floors and plaster in the primary bath and shower contribute to this understated elegance. Further enhancing this aesthetic are the carefully chosen finishes, including walnut, white oak, and matte black cabinetry, tying the entire design together in a respectful nod to the past while embracing the future.
Photography by Dan Ryan Studio
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- by Matt Watts
