You can see it rising from the desert, and it really does look like a mirage (eight stories of glass, steel and green life) glittering against the McDowell Mountains. The first completed tower at Optima McDowell Mountain, known as 7220, is not just another luxury residence. It's something different. A working model for how people can live with nature and not above it. And this future begins with biophilic design.
RELATED: Why is everyone talking about biophilic design?
Optima's ecosystem is supported by the largest private rainwater harvesting system in the United States, which captures and recycles runoff through underground cisterns. Then add solar power and electric vehicle charging stations. When you follow the latest green building codes, you get architecture that works with the desert rather than fighting it.
Inside, the palette feels sophisticated but grounded: granite countertops with beveled edges, soft-close cabinets, stainless steel induction cooktops, even blackout blinds and soundproof walls. Bathrooms are reminiscent of a spa (think frameless glass showers, deep soaking tubs, and double vanities), while smart home technology fine-tunes lighting and temperature. “Architecture should be felt as much as you see it,” says David Hovey Jr., president and principal architect of Optima. And it's clear that every material choice supports this idea.
RELATED: 12 Essential Smart Home Innovations That Are Redefining Luxury Living
NEWSLETTER
Discover expert insights and the latest home and design trends to brighten up your space.
PRESS RELEASES
Do you have a uniquely designed space you would like to share? We'd love to show it!
The Optima vertical landscape system
Layer upon layer of green cascades from every floor. It is a living skin that provides shade and cooling while filtering the desert light. It looks effortless, but that's a serious illusion.
Each home has a private patio with a vertical landscaping system, explains Hovey. “The system features a drip irrigation system that allows a vibrant array of native plants to grow on and above each patio and flow down the building facade. The vertical landscaping system provides protection from the harsh desert sun and privacy from adjacent homes, reduces the heat island effect, re-oxygenates the air, reduces dust and smog levels, and reduces ambient noise.”
RELATED: The Secret to Beautiful Outdoor Spaces? Container gardens
Live with nature, not apart from it
From the rooftop terrace, the view stretches for miles across the Sonoran Desert. It's a reminder of how consciously this development blends in rather than stands out. “We believe the 75% open space at ground level with our central courtyard will be very unique and will allow and encourage people to be outside and immerse themselves in the natural environment,” he says, hoping to encourage residents to experience the desert as an extension of their home.
RELATED: Your minimalist home doesn't have to feel cold
Architecture to feel
The air feels different inside. The light moves across stone and wood and changes with the change of day. “The architecture is inspired by the nearby McDowell Mountains,” says Hovey. “The building's stepped exterior, undulating facade and landscaped terraces are designed to capture the same deep textures, shades and shadows found in the natural ridges and topography of the McDowell Mountains. We believe our residents can feel nature from the classroom, from their homes and from their rooftop terraces.”
RELATED: Why desert colors and natural materials feel so right now
Designing for the desert
Shadow lines, air circulation and even structural form work together to keep interiors cool even in triple-digit temperatures. “The six buildings surrounding the site will inherently protect the central courtyard from the desert sun,” explains Hovey, “by incorporating design-driven, energy efficient strategies such as vertical landscaping systems, solar panels and advanced VRF HVAC systems for efficient energy use.”
RELATED: The Psychology of Curves: Why Modern Homes Forego Straight Lines
75 percent free space
A quick walk through the property reveals something unusual. Heaven. Lots of sky. Courtyards, walking paths and native desert gardens create open space between the individual towers. “The design invites residents to actively engage with the outdoor environment,” says Hovey. All parking is underground and there are pedestrian and bike paths that connect to the City of Scottsdale's Master Bike Plan. Hovey explains that the open space “helps lower ground temperatures and reduce the heat island effect, making outdoor activities more comfortable year-round.”
RELATED: The Invisible Design Problem That's Making You Sick and How to Protect Your Home
What's hot in home design and decor
Private rainwater harvesting system
Hidden beneath the leafy courtyards is a lot of complex infrastructure that most visitors will never see. “Optima McDowell Mountain features the largest private rainwater harvesting system in the United States and is located on the southeast corner of the project,” Hovey says. “This system collects and stores up to 210,000 gallons of rainwater in a concrete vault, which is then used to irrigate the site. By utilizing harvested rainwater and incorporating efficient plumbing, xeriscape and turf landscaping, the project significantly reduces the need for municipal water supplies.”
RELATED: 7 Bedroom Layout Ideas for Truly Better Sleep
Innovation behind the scenes
“We focused on incorporating advanced water management strategies, such as drought-resistant vertical landscaping, native xeriscaping and courtyard turf, that minimize irrigation needs and maximize stormwater capture,” says Hovey. “In addition, by prioritizing underground parking and extensive green spaces, we reduced surface heat and encouraged natural water infiltration, thereby reducing runoff and supporting local aquifers. Incorporating the largest private rainwater harvesting system was another exciting innovation in this project.
RELATED: An Invisible Lock You Can Install Yourself
In energy, we have implemented high-performance VRF heating and cooling systems alongside rooftop solar panels to ensure the buildings operate efficiently and sustainably. Optima McDowell Mountain is the first project in Scottsdale built to the latest environmentally friendly IECC and IgCC codes. These solutions were the result of over a year of intensive collaboration and problem solving and reflect our commitment to environmental protection and community well-being.”
RELATED: Why builders are swapping lumber for rice husk boards
Optima McDowell Mountain may span six towers, 1,330 homes and 22 acres, but Hovey says the collection of buildings is more a reflection of the philosophy: that architecture is empathy, a dialogue between people and place.