Sentinel House

Nov. 25, 2019

Drachman Design Build Coalition Residence 7

Overview
Sentinel House was designed and built by the School of Architecture faculty and students.
Who
Drachman Design-Build Coalition
What
Sentinel House
Where
Tucson, Arizona
When
2018
Categories
Approach to Sentinel House Entry Court From Carport.

Approach to Sentinel House Entry Court From Carport

A photo of the Sentinel House design and build by the College of Architecture Planning and Landscape Architecture School of Architecture

Drachman Design-Build Coalition Residence 7 (Sentinel House) is a three-bedroom, two-bath dwelling of 1300 sq. ft. It was designed and constructed by School of Architecture faculty Mary Hardin and Michael Esse, and students in 2016-2017. 

The main building features include scoria (ground pumice stone + cement) walls that serve as thermal masses on the east and west exposures to control indoor comfort, insulated fiber cement walls on the north and south sides, a polycarbonate facade bringing in north light, and cisterns for harvesting and storage of roof water runoff.

The Sentinel House was named for the views it takes in at Sentinel Peak in Tucson Arizona. This house was sold to a low-income family through the HUD (U.S. Housing and Urban Development) First-time homebuyer program. 

Recognition received for the Sentinel House includes an AIA Design Excellence Award and a feature in Arbitare International Magazine Design and Architecture. 

Learn more about Mary Hardin and her work here.

Contacts

Mary Hardin
mchardin@email.arizona.edu
(520) 621-6751

  

Subscribe to The Studio

Sign up for CAPLA's monthly e-newsletter to get the latest news and events, insights from faculty and leadership, profiles of students and alumni and more.

Subscribe Now

Latest CAPLA News, Projects and Profiles

Teresa Rosano AIAS Award

Teresa Rosano receives AIAS Faculty Advisor Honor Award

Teresa Rosano, associate professor at the School of Architecture, earned the 2025 AIAS Faculty Advisor Honor Award for her mentorship, inclusive teaching, and leadership. She inspires students through community-focused, real-world architectural education and over 25 years of professional experience.

Francisco Zazueta

A Force to be Reckoned With: Francisco Zazueta ‘26 B.Arch

Francisco Zazueta, a fifth-year Bachelor of Architecture student at CAPLA, was awarded the 2025 Presidential Citation by the AIA Southern Arizona Chapter for his leadership as president of the AIA Student Chapter. Recognized for his optimism and dedication to strengthening connections between students and professionals, his work focuses on mentorship, community engagement, and expanding opportunities for architecture students. Through initiatives with NOMAS and AIAS, Zazueta uses leadership and design to support a more connected, just, and resilient architectural community.

See More