Healthy Home in the Desert

From the street, our townhome looks as though it has very few windows. This minimalist exterior often prompts visitors to ask, “How do you live with so few windows? Isn’t the house dark?” It’s a natural assumption, but the reality couldn’t be more different. Our home is flooded with natural light throughout the day, thanks to the strategic placement of our windows.

These windows weren’t just placed anywhere. Our architect/designer carefully considered the sun’s path, weather patterns, and the building’s orientation to maximize natural light while minimizing heat gain and loss, which is especially important in the desert. The result? Our home is bright and airy without being overwhelmed by the intense Arizona sun. What appears as “few windows” from the outside results in a beautifully lit interior that always feels connected to the outdoors.

In our great room, large, wall-sized windows overlook a light-filled courtyard lush with plants, allowing sunlight to pour into the space. This creates an open, inviting atmosphere that you wouldn’t expect based on the exterior. Similarly, full-length glass doors lead to our three patios, which bring even more natural light into the home, making the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces almost disappear.

Our dog, Hazel, seems to love it as much as we do. She spends her days chasing sunbeams across the floors, always finding the perfect spot to nap in the light of the sun. It’s a small but constant reminder of how much light we truly get in the house.

Interestingly, many of our windows don’t open. This surprises people, but we rarely need to open windows thanks to the exceptional indoor air quality provided by our energy-efficient systems. When we do want to let in a breeze, we have “tilt-turn” windows from Alpen that offer versatility. These windows tilt open from the top, letting in just a bit of air, or they can swing open from the side for more ventilation or easy cleaning. They’re also tightly sealed to prevent heat loss, and their design minimizes thermal transfer, making them both functional and energy efficient.

But it’s not just about the technical features—these windows are integral to the aesthetic and comfort of our home. They frame calming views of our outdoor plantings, giving us a sense of connection to nature despite being in an urban environment. The windows are so thoughtfully placed that we don’t need blinds on most of them, especially on the first floor. We can enjoy the natural light without worrying about glare or heat, which is a welcome change from our previous homes.

In past homes, we had to block out the sun at certain times of day because the heat or glare became overwhelming. This was always a disappointment, as it meant sacrificing the beauty of the views and natural light. But in this home, we don’t have that issue. We can fully enjoy the sunshine without having to cover up our windows. The only shades we have are blackout shades in the bedrooms, which help everyone sleep comfortably regardless of the time of day.

Overall, the design of our home has allowed us to fully embrace natural light in a way we hadn’t experienced before. The thoughtful placement and energy efficient engineering of the windows have made all the difference, allowing us to enjoy the benefits of sunlight without the drawbacks. It’s one of the many reasons why living in this sustainable home has been such an amazing experience.