Molten Oasis: A Family’s Saint George Retreat

In Saint George, a backdrop of volcanic lava fields and red rock formations inspire the design and details of a family’s desert retreat

“That view of Red Mountain and  Scout Cave is the backdrop for everything here. It automatically serves as the art of the home,” says designer Julia Roberts, principal of HüGA Home. For her, desert luxury in St. George demands unobstructed vistas of sandstone cliffs, lava fields and golf greens—all set against a vibrant blue sky, courtesy of Greater Zion’s 300-plus days of sunshine. Sounds easy, right? Well, not exactly. “It’s very overwhelming to balance a home with that as the art piece,” Roberts says of the otherworldly landscape. Fortunately, she and the teams at Split Rock Custom Homes and Urban Design Group succeeded with a newly built desert contemporary home located in Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club. With red cliff views from every window—even the powder rooms—this residential oasis artfully melds into a tapestry of ancient lava flows.

“Designing in the desert is all about bringing the outside in by varying the textures and colors, finding a harmonious way to appeal to each individual,” Roberts says. During the design process, the team’s goal to create “desert harmony” faced a few unharmonious obstacles: a lava-bed foundation, a disjointed homesite and homeowners’ association restrictions. Despite these challenges, the team succeeded in satisfying their clients’ desire for a casual, cool entertaining spot for friends, kids and grandkids to gather during vacations.

The site’s two-tiered, lava-blanketed topography was compelling yet complicated. “A lot of people bypassed the tiered lot for many years, not realizing its potential,” Roberts says. “They thought, ‘Well, I only want a single level, and this setup means half my yard will be up there and half down here.’” Fortunately, the designer collaborated with Split Rock Custom Homes, who has extensive experience working with lava. “Few others know what they’re getting into. Lava is sharp, animals live in it, and it adds significantly to excavation time.”

“Excavation in lava is both time-consuming and difficult, primarily because of the inability to use blasting and the need to preserve as much of the natural lava as possible in an undisturbed state,” explains Bart Smith, partner with Split Rock. “This home site was unique because of the lot’s tiered layout. The excavation had to preserve a large grotto in the front and allow for views from both the upper and lower levels by excavating strategic areas up to the no-disturb area in the back.”

After months of excavation, the team devised a plan for the site’s remaining basalt base. A large cleft in the lava split the site, but architect Joel Bringhurst of Urban Design Group used the challenging lava rock formations as a central design element. “Entrada offers some of the state’s most spectacular beauty with some of the most challenging topography. This particular site had a large flow of lava that happened to be right in the middle of the buildable portion of the lot,” Bringhurst explains. “But rather than let it be an obstacle, it became an inspiration. The flow naturally connected the two-tiered site, much like a staircase connects two levels, giving order and purpose to the home’s overall arrangement.”

The varying elevations also enabled Bringhurst to ensure that all interior rooms, even the bathrooms, enjoy desert views of Snow Canyon State Park, White Rocks Amphitheater and Entrada Country Club. “This site has exceptional views, and there isn’t a room in the home that doesn’t have a connection to the outside.”

“Our goal was to blend into the desert harmoniously,” says Roberts, discussing the exterior. A minimalist and thoughtful design approach enabled the home to appear as if it’s levitating atop its rocky, lava foundation. “We played with monochromatic color schemes using varying textures. This subtlety equated to warmth and comfort.” The team also adhered to HOA guidelines by incorporating earthy colors and addressing light reflectivity to preserve the night sky. “Incorporating the colors of the blackened basalt desert is a requirement of the architectural committee in this area,” the designer explains. “This limited the materials we could use, but it also encouraged more creativity to make the home unique.” Indoors and out, it is exactly that.

The clients’ wishlist prioritized design that fostered their bonding with friends and family of all ages, at all times of the year. They insisted on kid-friendly amenities including a pool with a Baja shelf, double islands in the kitchen, a climbing wall, a playhouse, a game room and a bunk room. “They can have their family around them for multiple occasions, whether it’s summer and they’re swimming in the pool or all the kids are just inside playing,” Roberts says. Surrounded by lava and endless views, the desert home is a year-round oasis for adults and kids alike.