Marfa Suite

The Marfa Suite is a lounge, studio, and living refuge for the owners to use while guests are occupying their single bedroom original adobe home during extended stays in the remote town of Marfa, Texas. The lowmaintenance earthen structure is made primarily from compressed earth block which provides a warm atmosphere and is a direct nod to the historical vernacular adobe structures that exist along the U.S.-Mexico border, the greater North American Southwest region, and the owners’ existing home.

The project is inspired by the landscape, the natural light of the high desert of far west Texas and the poetic pragmatism that historic buildings possess in the area. The use of the earthen building materials, with both traditional construction techniques and custom detailing, supports a modern lifestyle while honoring the local building traditions of the past to build an heirloom structure that will stand the test of time. The project siting is a response to critical aspects of the property’s characteristics and offerings; mostly the preservation of the viewsheds and established desert gardens.

The suite is a 36′ square plan with 16′ high perimeter walls. A small vestibule offers a moment to kick off one’s boots and provides a visually private entry from the main house. While small, this transition space provides sacred darkness and shadows to instill a sense of calm and transition upon entry. Once inside, all interior partition walls are made of the same compressed earth block material. Large sliding doors on the east connect the living and lounge space to the landscape beyond, offering physical connection and an expansive view to observe the magical light qualities wash over the vast expanse of land and haystack mountains on the distant horizon.