The Sombrero House, a roof that overhangs on all sides, offering protection from the harsh New Mexico sun. These deep overhangs create a rhythmic play of light and shadow across the yellow walls throughout the day, softening the bright glare and providing shade that cools the house naturally, grounding the house as a place of refuge amid the wide-open desert. It is at once both an extended, cantilevered wall, and a standing seam metal roof, an ambiguity of elements that is meant to distract from the complexity that this creates inside.

The square plan of house presents a sense of balance and order. Built upon a solid concrete plinth it grounds itself firmly within the desert landscape, offering a strong foundation that contrasts with the shifting sands. It becomes almost a mirage of a boulder from a distance. The yellow wooden walls, weathered and warm, diffuse into the sandy terrain, blending edges as they absorb the hues of the landscape, shifting with the changing light of the day. At the heart of the house is courtyard with a pool, recalling those houses of Roman tradition, an interior oasis from a harsh exterior world. And yet we also find it in line with traditional heritage of local types. This central oasis provides a quiet, sheltered retreat, echoing the enclosed courtyards found in Santa Fe's historic adobe homes. The pool mirrors the sky above, introducing a sense of calm amidst the arid surroundings. The courtyard is a space for respite, it connects the inner spaces of the home, offering views and natural ventilation to every room.