Lira Compound

THE STORY

The clients engaged us to design an enduring family sanctuary centered on the spirit of convivencia (community). The design challenge was an exercise in architectural harmony: masterfully blending a desire for clean, Contemporary Desert Modernism with the grounding mass and warmth of traditional Hacienda living. Through an interactive, collaborative process that included the clients and their children, we mapped out a robust three-building master plan. The layout is engineered to handle the high energy of large family celebrations, while ensuring quiet, private retreats when the party ends.

THE VISION

Advanced into a highly optimized schematic package, the architecture utilizes a strict inside-outside duality. The exterior features a protective, earth-toned armor of natural stone veneers to mitigate desert sun and street noise. Inside, the threshold opens into a bright, light-harvesting canvas anchored by a double-height Great Room and a functional ’Triple Kitchen’ flow. By organizing the layout around a central social pool courtyard and placing loud entertainment spaces in a fully subterranean basement, the compound masterfully balances multi-generational shared life with individual privacy.

Carlos Lausso & Claudia Franco, Principals.

C&C Architects Studio