One early morning in January, we took a road trip down to Nogales, AZ to meet with Dalina and Alex to learn more about their vernacular mid-century gem design by the internationally recognized Architect, Bennie Gonzales, FAIA. Bennie Gonzales was an influential architect known for his modernist designs rooted in the cultural and environmental context of the American Southwest, particularly Arizona. His work, characterized by clean lines, organic forms, and the use of indigenous materials, seamlessly blended modern architecture with traditional Southwestern aesthetics. He championed a sustainable approach to architecture long before it became mainstream, emphasizing harmony with the desert environment. His contributions left a lasting impact on Arizona's architectural landscape, shaping how the state's cultural and natural heritage is expressed through design.
open connected spaces allow for visual connection and light to move through the home
What attracted you to this home?
D: What initially attracted me was the design. Growing up in Nogales, my favorite building as a child was the public library - which Bennie Gonzales also designed. It was my introduction to design and I would spend countless hours struggling to focus on my reading because I was admiring the light and lines of the library. When we first walked through the house, it felt incredibly familiar with its beams and clerestory windows and it took me back to those cozy days curled up with a book. As we settled in, I kept finding new things to fall for: the lofted lights, the shutters on the windows, the brick floor, and the way the sunlight fills the rooms during the day. It’s a thoughtfully designed space that makes it very cozy for families while being architecturally interesting.
serene, sunlit pool and lush varietals of ivy surround the home
What is your favorite space?
A: It changes with the seasons and even the time of day: sitting in the lounge with Dalina during a late-afternoon monsoon with the sliding glass door open, listening to the thunder and rain; floating on the pool with friends in the middle of a summer day with a perfect view of the house; walking as a family at sunset to the tree at the entrance of the property as the leaves turn golden yellow and start to fall; reading books at night to our kid in their warm room in the middle of the winter. At any given moment, alone or with others, the way I experience this property changes. Spaces become places, and our house becomes a home.
the kitchen, like the rest of the house is in its original condition
What is your morning routine?
D: I’m usually awake before everyone else and I love the ritual of opening the shutters in the living and dining rooms to greet the day. The smaller counter in the kitchen opposite the sink is my coffee station and I prepare my cup while looking out the glass doors, then I curl up on the couch in the great room and enjoy the morning light.
the homes material palette anchors it to the regional materials and place of Nogales
What materials are important to you?
A: I seek comfort, and I seek connection. Burnt adobe brick, wood, textiles - and the light that flows between glass - come together to make me feel protected, warm, and at ease. Being of the earth, they also leave me feeling grounded and connected to where we are. I read that Bennie worked at his uncle’s adobe brick factory as a child. His appreciation for craft is evident in the choice of materials and quality of craftspersonship evident throughout the house.
mature landscape is found throughout the 1.75 acre lot and offers views from all points inside the home
Do you have a favorite moment in the home?
D: This house has the ability to make benign moments special and as strange as it sounds, I look forward to taking out the trash bins early Monday morning. Depending on the time of year, you can get brilliant sunrises that rival the best Arizona sunset or you’re met with a symphony of songs that can fill your Merlin Bird ID app with surprising avian visitors. After dragging the bins to the mailbox, the walk back includes a view of the knotted mesquite trees near the dining room window, which is my absolute favorite to look in and out of.
