THE TREGO HOME

THE TREGO HOUSE A DESERT HOME THAT MAKES SENSE

Too many people come to Arizona from other parts of the country, and build homes comparable to the ones they left behind them! Here in the wide open spaces that the West offers so freely, homes should fit into their locale, encompass the desert and mountain views, be planned for al fresco living year round. The Trego house, a few miles from Tucson, is a good example of what can be done to take full advantage of locale. Its plan, and the position on its site, were carefully considered along those very lines.

Doors lead into patios from living-room, kitchen, and both bedrooms. And the highlight of the house-the dramatic focal point-is the triangular windowed view-spot on the north side of the main room, balancing the fireplace wall directly opposite. From this view-catching windowed area, one can see for miles in three directions and, since the house is set smack-dab in virgin desert, directly adjacent to the Saguaro Cactus National Monument, the views are gorgeous every hour of the day... and never

The house combines outdoor and indoor living, as a house should in Arizona.

Roomy built-in dressing table centers twin closet wall. Other walls are plain adobe.

Nor are the effects of light and shadow on the distant mountains the same. Although the Trego home falls in the category of an adobe structure, it isn't built of the usual mud-water-straw blocks, nor of blocks baked in a kiln, like bricks, and known as burnt adobe. Instead, they are made of desert soil and water, with cement mixed with the mud to give extremely durable blocks that are solid, firm, and almost everlasting. These resultant bricks are put together with mortar, left rough to give an informal casual look far more suitable in a desert home than in a sleek, streamlined one. Inside the house, other western materials are used here and there. This dispels any possible feeling of monotony and adds a great deal of interest as the wise and thoughtful combination of materials always does. For example, the fireplace wall is of Arizona flagstone, the overhead exposed beams are fir; and redwood is used some, in the bedrooms and study specifically. There isn't any part of the house that could possibly make you feel you were anywhere in the United States except Arizona!

Here is a splendid example of how a home can fit into its environment with real charm and harmony how it can take maximum advantage of the desert and almost seem a part of it. It's an informal, friendly house, with outdoor living interchangeable with indoor, as living should be in this area. Even the bedrooms open onto a little patio of their own on the east side of the house, and in all rooms, every window is actually a desert picture with color changes by the hour. Arthur T. Brown, A.I.A., Tucson, designed the home for G. C. Trego. Judicious use of glass makes the ever-changing beauty of the desert and the mountains an intimate and cherished part of the Trego home.

Exposed fir beams and redwood, used here in the study, give the home a feeling of comfort, informality and pleasant living.