Vali Homes Infill Prototype 2.0

Text by Edward Keegan

Conceived as a contemporary take on the iconic Case Study houses, the Vali Homes infill prototype 2.0 was designed by Tempe, Ariz.–based CoLab Studio, and built by 180 Degrees, for Phoenix’s middle-income market.

The three-bedroom, two-bath home places the bedrooms to the north and a great room the south, where the living spaces extend into a courtyard via floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The glass is shaded by wide eaves for the four hottest months of the year, and cooling loads are further reduced by having no windows on the east or west elevations. Horizontal slatted wood fencing keeps the courtyard private and emphasizes the home’s low profile in the landscape. Inside, white gypsum board ceilings and walls, along with white kitchen cabinets, bounce daylight deep into the home and reduce the need for artificial lighting, and wood accents bring warmth to the space.

Advanced framing techniques reduced lumber usage for the home by 20%, while also reducing heat transfer and allowing for more insulation. The LEED Platinum design can also be net-positive energy with the installation of a solar photovoltaic system.

“I like that it really seems to fit the climate very much. It’s very well done.”
— Juror Steven Ehrlich

Architect: CoLab Studio Builder: 180 Degrees
Size: 1,680 square feet
Cost: $150 per square foot