A Property That Transforms with the Day
Full-scope interior renovation for a Sonoran Desert resort — lobby, two F&B venues, casita guestrooms, and tower guestrooms. The design was organized around a governing idea: the property transforms with the rhythm of the day. Morning light, afternoon shadow, golden hour, and desert night each reveal a different spatial character.
I led materials, FF&E, space planning, millwork drawings, and rendered deliverables from concept through construction documentation — coordinating directly with the architect of record.
"Modern desert restraint, tactile materiality, and a sense of refined utility."
Reception + F&B
The lobby establishes the property's identity — a sculptural wood ceiling installation floats above a curated retail moment and curved reception desk. Warm desert tones, woven textures, and indigenous plants anchor guests in place.
Two dining venues were designed: a Specialty Restaurant with undulating plaster ceilings and sunset views, and a Signature Restaurant value-engineered for execution while maintaining the design intent — onyx feature wall, coffered ceiling with desert strata motifs, and custom banquettes I documented through shop drawings.
Reception
Sculptural wood ceiling, curved desk, curated retail. The first impression of desert refinement.
Specialty Restaurant
Initial scope — undulating plaster ceiling, desert sunset views, fireplace alcove.
Specialty Restaurant
Banquette seating, topographic wall texture, warm evening lighting.
Signature Restaurant
Value-engineered execution — backlit onyx wall, coffered ceiling with strata pattern.
Signature — Banquettes
Custom banquette seating documented through detailed shop drawings for fabrication.
Shop Drawing — Banquette
SG-500: L-banquette for Signature Restaurant. White oak base, upholstered seat and back, LED diffuser.
Design Pillars
Modern Resort · Work, Relax, Eat & Play · Sonoran Desert — the governing principles for all public areas.
Entry Experience
Embracing the Landscape · Desert Paradise · Local Spirits — FF&E vision for arrival and reception.
Desert Retreat
Complete redesign of the casita guestrooms — living space and bathrooms. I proposed new finishes and FF&E, then used AI-directed imagery to design a custom desk, minibar, and TV frame millwork piece. The concept was developed into detailed shop drawings for fabrication.
The casita bathroom features a freestanding tub with views back to the bedroom, patterned terrazzo-effect flooring, and a walnut vanity with organic-shaped mirror.
Casitas Bedroom
Custom desk + minibar + TV frame millwork. Fireplace, terracotta accents, desert light.
Casitas — Window View
Cognac leather headboard, striped lamps, curved balcony with desert views.
Millwork Concept
AI-directed visualization — custom desk + minibar unit. Grey stone counter, white oak body, walnut shelving.
Casitas Bathroom
Freestanding tub, patterned floor, walnut vanity with organic mirror, views to bedroom.
Shop Drawing — Desk
CG-200R: Plan, front elevation, sections. Walnut top, white oak body, integrated finger pulls.
Shop Drawing — Minibar
CG-200.2R: Bronze mirror back, LED lighting, wine rack, stone counter with mitered edge.
The Furnished Threshold
The tower guestrooms — built post-2021 — needed a budget-friendly solution for an empty wall (~$4,000/room). I designed a white oak console, TV frame, and desk to complement the existing design language. The concept was developed using AI-directed imagery overlaid on existing photography, allowing the client to visualize the solution in context before documentation.
The millwork reads as a quiet architectural datum — part utility, part backdrop, part frame for the experience of arrival. Currently in shop drawing development.
Tower Guestroom
White oak credenza + desk + TV frame. Concrete ceiling, desert art, blue velvet chair.
From Concept to Shop Drawings
This project demonstrates the full arc from design visualization to fabrication documentation. Custom millwork — casita desk/minibar, tower credenza, and restaurant banquettes — was developed through detailed shop drawings specifying materials, dimensions, joinery, and hardware for manufacturer coordination.