How to Make a Resilient Home for Extreme Desert Conditions

Welcome to this Instructable, where we'll embark on an exciting journey to build a resilient desert home. The desert, with its harsh climate and unique challenges, requires a special kind of dwelling that can withstand the extreme temperatures, limited water resources, and intense sunlight. In this Instructable, we'll explore the essential elements of designing and building a desert home that not only survives but thrives in this environment.

From selecting the right materials and construction techniques to incorporating sustainable features and innovative solutions, we'll cover it all. Whether you're a seasoned builder or a DIY enthusiast, this Instructable will provide you with the knowledge and inspiration to create a desert home that is both functional and beautiful.

I am a student in high school finishing up my junior year and wanted to enter this contest based on my teachers recommendation. I have been through 4 years of education in Engineering and Architecture starting back in 8th grade, and will be entering my 5th year this next August. This home was one of the projects that I have been working on since the contest was released.

THE MAIN STRUCTURE OF THE HOUSE IS BUILT OUT OF THESE MATERIALS:

1. WEATHER RESISTANT WINDOWS
2. STEEL ROOFING
3. STEEL FLOORING
4. CONCRETE WALLS
5. CONCRETE FLOORING
6. INSULATED STUCCO-VINYL WALLS
7. SOLAR PANELS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
8. SOLAR SYSTEMS
9. WATER SYSTEMS
10. DRYWALL
11. EXTERIOR STAIRS
12. REVIT 2025
13. INVENTOR 2025

Brainstorming and research are often overlooked, but they are the foundation upon which a successful project is built. By taking the time to explore your ideas, gather information, and analyze data, you'll be able to:

• Clarify your project's goals and objectives
• Identify potential pitfalls and obstacles
• Develop a deeper understanding of the desert environment and its unique challenges
• Discover new and innovative solutions to common problems
• Create a clear direction and vision for your project

I will guide you through a structured brainstorming and research process, providing you with practical tools and techniques to help you generate and organize your ideas. We'll also explore the importance of researching desert-specific topics, such as climate, materials, and sustainable practices.

By the end of this Instructable, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of your project's requirements, a wealth of knowledge about desert homes, and a clear roadmap to move forward with confidence.

Sketching is an essential step in the design process, as it allows you to:

• Visualize your ideas and concepts
• Explore different design options and variations
• Communicate your design intent to others
• Identify potential issues and challenges
• Refine and improve your design

My sketching process has went through ups and downs over the years and I had started with some sketches before the submitted sketches but lost them along the way. The sketches I submitted are the most recent ones of the contest ideas from memory.

A well-designed floor plan is essential to creating a functional, comfortable, and beautiful living space. It's where you'll layout the foundation for your daily routine, from morning coffee to evening gatherings. A thoughtful floor plan will also help you make the most of your desert home's unique features, such as natural light, ventilation, and outdoor connections.

In this Instructable, we'll guide you through the process of designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing first level floor plan, tailored to your desert home's specific needs and challenges. You'll learn how to:

• Determine the optimal room layout and circulation paths
• Balance functionality with aesthetics and natural light
• Incorporate desert-specific design elements, such as large windows and outdoor living areas
• Consider energy efficiency and sustainable design principles
• Create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces

The home has 2 rooms for living quarters on the first floor plan, a kitchen, a dining room area, a great room, and a recreational space filled with exercise equipment.

In this Instructable, we'll guide you through the process of designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing first level floor plan, tailored to your desert home's specific needs and challenges. You'll learn how to:

• Determine the optimal room layout and paths through the area
• Balance functionality with zoning and natural light
• Incorporate desert-specific design elements, such as large windows and outdoor living areas
• Consider energy efficiency and sustainable design principles
• Create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces

The home has 1 rooms for living quarters on the second floor plan, 2 offices based on the entrance of the building, a great room with a living room next to a great window, and a recreational space fully surrounded in windows.

For centuries, humans have harnessed the power of the sun to grow crops, warm our homes, and light our way. Today, with the advancement of technology, we can convert sunlight into electricity, providing a game-changing solution to our energy needs. It's a vital component of a sustainable future. With the ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change, and provide energy independence, solar energy is an opportunity that cannot be ignored. 

Furnishing a floor plan can help visualize potential in several ways:

1. Spatial awareness: Furnishing a floor plan allows you to see how the space will be used and how much room there is for furniture and other items. This can help you determine if the space is functional and meets your needs.
2. Design inspiration: Furnishing a floor plan can help you visualize different design ideas and layouts. You can experiment with different furniture arrangements, colors, and textures to create a space that reflects your personal style and preferences.
3. Cost estimation: Furnishing a floor plan can help you estimate the cost of furniture and other items needed to complete the space. This can help you plan your budget and make informed decisions about where to invest your money.
4. Collaboration: Furnishing a floor plan can be a collaborative process, allowing you to share your ideas and vision with others. This can be especially helpful when working with a designer, architect, or contractor.
5. Decision making: Furnishing a floor plan can help you make decisions about the layout and design of the space. By visualizing the space with furniture and other items, you can make informed decisions about where to place electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, and other features.

Overall, furnishing a floor plan can help you visualize the potential of a space and make informed decisions about its design and functionality. It can also save you time and money by allowing you to plan ahead and avoid costly mistakes.

These section views show the interior of the home.

1st view: Office space with executive chair and desk

2nd view: 2nd floor, great room, living space with a great window view

3rd view: Recreational gym and exercise area

4th view: Garage with a Van and a Beetle design car with a wall separating the cars

5th view: Kitchen with 6 person table, sink, cabinets, and a fridge

6th view: Bedroom floor area with bed, living room, cabinets, executive chair/desk, and a crib

7th view: Living room space connected to bedrooms

Lights are a very important aspect of your ceiling plan, as well as sprinklers, and exhaust.

Spacing out lights can make your rooms more alive in your floor plan, and here are some reasons why:

1. Creates Visual Rhythm: Spacing out lights creates a visual rhythm that guides the eye through the room, making it feel more dynamic and engaging.

2. Adds Depth and Dimension: By placing lights at varying heights and distances, you can create a sense of depth and dimension, making the room feel more spacious and interesting.

3. Highlights Room Features: Spacing out lights allows you to highlight specific room features, such as architectural details, fireplaces, or stunning views, drawing attention to what makes the room special.

Water is essential for life, and in desert environments, it's even more crucial. In deserts, water is a limiting factor, and plants have adapted to survive with minimal water.

There are many types of ways to store water and my system has the ability to have city ran water and personal water tank.

1. Limited Natural Water Sources: Deserts have limited natural water sources, making it essential to conserve and store water for future use. Storing water helps to bridge the gap between periods of abundant rainfall and drought.
2. Drought Mitigation: Deserts are prone to droughts, which can last for years or even decades. Storing water helps to mitigate the effects of drought by providing a reliable source of water for residents, agriculture, and industry.
3. Water Scarcity: Deserts have limited water resources, making it essential to manage water efficiently. Storing water helps to reduce the demand on natural water sources, reducing the risk of depletion and ensuring a sustainable water supply.
4. Population Growth: Desert cities are often growing rapidly, putting pressure on existing water resources. Storing water helps to meet the increasing demand for water, ensuring that residents have access to a reliable supply of water.

Ventilation Importance in Desert Homes

In desert homes, ventilation and geothermal heating are crucial components that work together to create a comfortable and sustainable living space. Here's why:

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential in desert homes to remove hot air and bring in cooler air. This helps to reduce the load on cooling systems, making them more efficient and cost-effective. In desert environments, ventilation can be achieved through various means, including:

• Natural ventilation: Using windows, doors, and clerestory windows to allow hot air to escape and cooler air to enter.
• Mechanical ventilation: Installing fans and vents to circulate air and remove heat.

Exercise and sunlight are two essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise can improve overall health and well-being, while sunlight provides numerous benefits, including vitamin D production, bone strengthening, and mood boosting.

Exercise importance for humans

• Weight management
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Increased strength and flexibility
• Enhanced mental health and mood
• Better sleep quality

Sunlight importance and benefits

• Vitamin D production
• Bone strengthening
• Mood boosting
• Reduced risk of depression and anxiety
• Improved sleep quality

From selecting the right materials and designing for passive solar heating and cooling, to incorporating water harvesting and conservation systems, you've learned the essential elements of creating a comfortable, sustainable, and resilient desert home.

Remember, building a desert home is not just about constructing a physical structure – it's about creating a harmonious relationship between your home and the natural environment. By embracing the desert's unique characteristics and incorporating eco-friendly design principles, you can create a home that not only minimizes its impact on the environment but also thrives in the harsh desert conditions.

This was my first Instructable that I have created without the help of others in a group. All of this work, research, brainstorming, and sketches was on my own with only help from my teacher checking it over. I really enjoyed making this Instructable, and I hope that it shows you the essential elements of designing and building a desert home that not only survives but thrives in this environment. This was a great learning experience to try out something new!