Sunrise Retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona, was envisioned as a refined desert retreat designed to elevate the standard for spec homes through intentional planning, sophisticated material choices, and custom-level detailing. The project’s goal was to create a residence that lives and feels like a custom home while being broadly appealing to high-end buyers seeking luxury and modern livability.  

“[The home] is modern, but it feels rooted and nestled into the property,” says John Smieszek, president of project builder Aspect Fine Homes. “I love the modern shape, but it has to feel comfortable and still on a human scale. The interior designer who the homeowner hired said she wanted the house to feel like it’s giving you a hug when you enter. That’s how it feels when you walk into that home.” 

The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home, spanning over 3,000 square feet, centers around a dramatic double-height great room that draws in natural light and desert views through floor-to-ceiling glass.  

“Material selections are done to complement that idea and creating what we call desert modern,” Smieszek says. “It’s modern, but comfortable and fits well with our local environment here.” 

The open layout promotes movement between living, dining, and outdoor spaces while still creating defined moments with a structural fireplace or floating staircase.  

“The steelwork is all hidden within the structure with the exception of the back patio columns,” Smieszek says. “There is a massive amount of structural steel in the house that brings it all together and allows for the large window openings that we have. [The windows are] one of my favorite elements.” 

Although built as a spec home, every detail in the Sunrise Retreat was handled as if it were custom. From the integrated millwork and layered lighting to high-end finishes, each element in the home was intentional. The resulting project is able to strike a balance between thoughtful architecture, market appeal, and craftsmanship typically reserved for one-off builds.  

“[The] investor wanted to deliver a project that was better than what was being offered [in the neighborhood] and that’s what drove the finishing quality levels,” Smieszek says. “We proved our product will sell above all else. Our clients understood the intent we had was so positive and absolutely fell for [the home] and loved it.”