To help illuminate the vision of Rick Joy Architects, it may help to note the details, both of environment and structure. In these details, one experiences a sense of location which translates seamlessly through the built/natural synapse. Rick Joy's structures are infused with many of the textures, materials and forms which are of the desert. Muted yet functional, they invite one to look out from, as well as in to.

Rick Joy had previous incarnations as musician and carpenter (still frequently participating in the actual creation of that which he designs), and his previous experiences continue to resonate in his practice in the design of his libraries, studios and dwellings. His lineage as an architect can be traced to solid foundations in experiment and acuity, through the architects William Bruder, who interned with Paolo Solari, who himself apprenticed under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West.

Those who have experienced the work and places of James Turrell, Donald Judd, Richard Serra and Robert Irwin, will note the noble yet quiet presence which Rick's dwellings hold. As structures meant to be places of living and work, they respond in their own way to our gaze, communicating vastness or intimacy - and, happily, sometimes both simultaneously.

Brief Biography:

Rick Joy (born 1958 Maine, USA) is an American architect.

Joy studied music at the University of Maine from 1977 to 1984 be fore studying architecture at the University of Arizona, graduating in 1990 and establishing his own practice in 1993.

Working largely on private houses, typically in desert regions of the United States, Joy frequently employs rammed earth in his designs.

In 2002, Joy received the Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

In 2008, Joy was chosen as one of the international architects that will be part of the development of the Pan-American Villa in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico around the Morelos Park for 2011 Pan American Games. According to the architect his building will be strongly influenced by the traditional arches of the old buildings in the downtown of the city but with a slight twist, according to him arches and shadows will be the base of his project.

Other Resources:

ArchRecord

Rick Joy Architects in Publications:

Desert Nomad House, Sustainable Homes, Pilar Chueca, Barcelona Spain, Links Editorial, (Spain-2009), 220-229.

Desert Nomad House, Built with Light , Martin Lupton, Mondo Arc #46, (UK- 2008/09)

“Viviendas Atipicas”. Diseno Interior: (Spain - 2008): 75, 100-109.

Broto, Carlos. ”Desert Nomad House.” Houses Now 2. Barcelona, Spain: Linksbooks, 2007: 30-39.

McGuigan, Cathleen. “A Certain Sense of Calm.” Newsweek (Special Double Issue, July 2, 2007/July 9, 2007): 52-60.

Sartori, Leonora. “Padiglioni per cuori solitari.” Casa D, no. 550 (Italy - May 26, 2007): 172-177.

Giguère, Louis. “Les Cubes de Rick.” Plaisirs de Vivre: Dèsert, vol. 18 no. 2 (France – May 2007): 48-62.

Callwey, George. “”Concept-Art in Drei Grossen” Best of Hauser, Germany 2007 pgs 72-75.

Olausson, Anders. “Modern Tradition in Arizona. Adobe Canyon House and Desert Nomad House.” Arkitektur, no. 6. (Sweden - October, 2006): 58-59.

Verroust, Marie-Laure. “La Maison Nomade.” Architectural Digest, no. 58 (France - June 2006): 88-95.

“S,M, L – XXL, Desert Nomad House.” Häuser (Germany - September/October 2006): 30-36.

“Caja Box: Desert Nomad House.” Arquine (Mexico - Spring 2006): 48-55.

McKeough, Tim. “True West.” Men’s Vogue (Spring 2006): 186-189.

“Desert Nomad House.” GA Houses 91 (Japan - February 2006): 30-41.

Garcia, Cynthia. “Tres Cubos.” Casa Vogue, no. 238 (Brazil): 150-157.

Webb, Michael. Art/Invention/House. Rizzoli International Publications, 2005: 224-229.

Pearson, Clifford. “Desert Nomad House - Record Houses Award” Architectural Record. April 2005(NY) 146-153

Amelar, Sarah. The Long Journey Back: 50 Years of Record Houses. Architectural Record. (April 2005): 138.

Pearson, Clifford A. Modern American Houses – Fifty Years of Design in Architectural Record. New York: Abrams, 2005: 266-269, cover photo.

Sirefeman, Susanna. Whereabouts: New Architecture with Local Identities. New York: Monticelli Press, 2004.

Mackenzie, Andrew. “Imagining Architecture.” Architectural Review, no. 084 (Australia - Winter 2003): 36.

Beck, Haig. Cooper, Jackie. “Casa Jax.” Ume, no. 16 (Australia): 34-39.

Slessor, Catherine. “Desert Bloom.” Architectural Review, vol. CCXII, no. 1269 (Great Britain – November 2002): 68-71.

Rick Joy: Desert Works. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2002.