barrio blue
3100 square feet - 2 units | tucson, arizona
architect | contractor: repp design &
construction
materials: sand blasted integra block, polished concrete
The site for Barrio Blue is woven between a light industrial zone along
Speedway Boulevard and the established residential neighborhood of Barrio
Blue Moon. This location immediately posed the challenge of how to address
the contrasting conditions and provide an inspiring place to inhabit.
The concept became simple: use heavy materials to provoke a sense of separation
from the industrial zone while providing privacy and a barrier to road
noise. Selected window apertures allow sunlight to graze across the massive
walls and fill the space. To maximize the R27 thermal efficiency of the
Integra Masonry system, no windows were placed on East or West sides of
the residences. The masonry walls and the colored concrete floors were
left exposed, resulting in both an attractive, durable, and cost effective
interior.