ANCIENT & MODERN

Sas Built twenty years ago, this beguiling villa has a sense of history that comes from pieces dating back as far as the 13th century

- JULIET BENNING

Upon entering the courtyard of this Arizona villa designed by Oz Architects, the sense of therapeutic calm is beguiling. The sound of water bubbling from an old French wall fountain mingles with the distant crickets and chattering birds. Once shut, the reclaimed timber courtyard gates isolate this relaxing enclave from the rest of the world. ‘The quiet strength of the building has a calming effect. You feel that it’s going to be here for a long time. It’s serene on the inside and out. We did a lot of sound-proofing to ensure that external noises don’t interrupt the tranquillity,’ Inga Rehmann, the project’s lead interior designer explains.

Designed 10 years prior by Don Ziebell of Oz Architects, the villa recently changed hands and the new owners decided to commission the practice to renovate and add a few additions to suit their lifestyle. ‘It was a unique experience to renovate a project we designed ourselves. The architecture is timeless and has really stood strong through the years so we were able to moderate it easily for the personality of our clients,’ Inga explains. ‘Their taste was more modern so we changed interior finishes, swapped the timber windows for steel frames and refinished wood floors. The interiors were simplified in line with a more contemporary taste. We also added a lap pool and a separate chef ’s kitchen where the clients could host private dinners with professional chefs,’ says Inga. Adding to its nurturing feel, the villa has a kitchen garden of herbs and vegetables to feed guests.