Colin Edward Slais, Architect, LLC

Portfolio: Residential

Custom Home I, Fountain Hills, AZ

This 4000 sf 1-story minimalist contemporary new build house utilizes an H-shaped Floor Plan to create a courtyard with a pool for privacy. Generous shaded windows open up to mountain views while inviting natural light and cooling breezes throughout the home. 

"I'm interested in warm, contemporary design harmonious with the location. My inspirations are Frank Lloyd Wright, Eichler Homes and house designs that are open, airy, and connected to Nature." Click on 'Thoughts' above to learn more.

—Colin Edward Slais 

Portfolio: Residential

Custom Home II, Fountain Hills, AZ

This 2300 sf 1-story home expresses the idea of walls as structural privacy "screens" vs. a "boxing in". Views and natural light are prominent throughout the home. The home uses passive "green" strategies such as foam insulation, low-E windows, solar orientation and exterior shade overhangs. An enclosed courtyard pool was designed for privacy

Custom Home, Phoenix, AZ

This 5500 sf luxury home features high vaulted ceilings, open plan, stone columns and archways. To harmonize with the desert, earth-tone materials and colors were used in the stone, tile and stucco. The gourmet Kitchen contains custom wood cabinets, an island and granite counters. There are lots of terrace and patio spaces by the pool to extend the living space outdoors. 

Home Addition, Paradise Valley, AZ

This 2400 sf addition and remodel to an existing house features a new Exercise Room, Office, Bathroom and storage level over a finished basement below. Large windows and arcadia doors open to views and terraces next to lush gardens in the backyard and the pool. The new addition is seamlessly tied into the existing home. 

New Custom Home, North Carolina

The Client saw my YouTube videos and contacted me to design a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired vacation house in the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a 2800 sf 2-story home growing out of a steep slope surrounded by trees and 60-mile views. The main hallway faces the backside of the hill so that all of the rooms off the hall can have windows facing the spectacular view! 

"Optimista", Architect's Own Home

We bought our 1100 sf townhome (built in 1985) in 2008 and have been DIY remodeling ever since in a Frank Lloyd Wright theme. We stained all the concrete floors, custom-built almost all of the furniture, re-painted throughout, re-modeled Bathrooms and Kitchen, and installed all new fixtures, textiles, art, furnishings, décor, etc. ourselves. 

Storm-Resistant Home Concept

Each year powerful storms destroy thousands of homes and lives. The storm-resistant residence is my responsive design study of how informed, thoughtful and creative design solutions may help future families and businesses better survive these destructive storms. 

Curved walls reduce wind friction (like the bow of a ship). There are no protruding roof eaves to catch wind and uplift the roof.

Punched openings allow for windows to be encapsulated in frames to reduce blowout damage. Open trellis canopies shade the windows while allowing water to pass through.