Calle Del Norte Case Study

Heritage case study calle de norte
Soaring more than 2,700 feet in elevation, Camelback Mountain is flanked by the town of Paradise Valley on one side and Arcadia, an upscale neighborhood in Phoenix, on the other. When building in a neighborhood that lies in the shadow of such a looming landmark, there’s a chance to do something special. As if that wasn’t motivation enough, San Diego-based builder Jordan Vasbinder and his company, True Craft Residential, also thought Arcadia could use an architecturally-ambitious home, something bold and unique.

Their goal was to build a true take on a modern farmhouse, but make it livable and family-oriented, ideal for entertaining with plenty of great views and natural light. So, they worked with architect Ben Nesbitt of local firm WORKSBUREAU to design a progressive two-story wing house that would provide wide, breathtaking vistas of the majestic mountain through large walls of windows on both the main floor and second story of the home. 
calle de norte project arizona
Nesbitt loves emphasizing sightlines and geographic lines within landscapes, so part of his planning process involved taking points from the top of Camelback and drawing angles down to where the home’s living room would be to ensure expanses open enough that the top of the mountain was always visible. The house, which was built on a corner lot and faces north, has angles that allow residents and visitors to get different views and perspectives of Camelback whenever they turn a corner.
Heritage windows and doors architectural design
The windows and doors were a large part of the home’s aesthetic. When Vasbinder and team sought a luxury, aluminum storefront-style window system for a sleek, contemporary look, they turned to locally manufactured Heritage™ windows and doors rather than having to incur the cost of using a commercial system. Plus, they needed the kind of large multi-function windows, corner windows and large operable door systems in which Heritage specializes. 
Heritage folding door
Most of the Heritage products used in the home were window walls. But the innovative design of the house required customized shapes, including trapezoids and corner windows, operable casement and awning windows, hinged doors, and even a four-panel bifold accordion door system that is 12’8” wide by 9’ tall and lined from top to bottom with hinges. The windows also have a multi-lock system to keep them square and enhance security.