Recommendations of the Great Sonoran

Respect, protect and conserve the special features of the environment

The Upper Sonoran desert has a diverse and special plant life, highly-varied landscape, notable natural landmarks, and an openness accentuated by the setting and the predominantly blue skies. As development is placed into this setting, great care should be taken to respect, protect and conserve those special features which give identity as well as establish the character of the area. Particularly dense or mature vegetation, rock and boulder formations, ridges which frame the general setting and the rich diversity of washes are among those desert elements which should be carefully treated in the way development is placed on the land.

Blend with the natural shape and texture of the land

The natural shape and texture of the land provides a sense of place and gives structure to the visual appearance of the desert setting.  Development should blend into the land and reinforce the form of the land - not force the land into a shape which places the development in a dominant, over-powering position.

Natural desert landscaping should be used as much as possible

The native Sonoran desert plant life is the most significant identifying characteristic of the desert setting of the Valley. Natural desert landscaping should be used to the greatest extent possible, with non-native plants primarily constrained to enclosed patios and spaces where people can most enjoy the color, cooling effect and aroma that such plants may provide.

Design spaces that extend to the outdoors

Providing shape, designing indoor spaces to extend to the outside and creating intimate personal environments which are made livable by using the natural breezes and the wise use of water features are some key concepts to consider.

Maintain starry nights and dark skies with limited lighting

The low humidity and cloudless skies which are common to the desert result in dark and very starry skies.  This is an important asset to the residents of the desert. Therefore, lighting should be restrained in such a manner that it is virtually invisible from adjacent properties.

Provide for meaningful natural desert open space

The provision for and conservation of meaningful natural desert open spaces is important for blending development into the desert, retaining viable and sustainable desert habitat, conserving water resources and enhancing resident awareness of the unique setting they have chosen to live in.  The desert open space system should seek to protect unique and special features and prime habitats and should be formulated before any development site plan is created. The open spaces should also form a connected system integrated into the heart of each project as well providing an asset to the community at-large.

All sides of buildings should be considered part of the character of the area

With the wide open spaces that characterize desert compatible development, all sides of buildings become visible and become a part of the character of the community. Therefore, all sides of every building should be considered as part of the whole visual setting of the neighborhood.  There should be no "front" side which is well designed and a "back" side which is a design afterthought.

Use colors and materials that blend into the natural setting

Given the overall visibility of development in the desert, careful attention should be made to using colors and material which blend into the background hues and textures of the natural setting.  These tend to be deep desert tones with a rich amount of texture.

Emulate our rich and diverse southwestern architectural heritage

The desert southwest has a rich and diverse architectural heritage which spans from prehistoric Indian pioneers to modern pioneers such as Frank Lloyd Wright. Buildings and structures should reflect this heritage, considering their response to local climates and resources, and they should help build a community image which is distinctive and appropriate to the Sonoran Desert.