Tempered Ground
Project
Tempered Ground
Stone, water, and landform work together to make the high desert inhabitable.
Set within a high desert landscape defined by exposure and intense light, this retreat is shaped as a careful integration of architecture, landform, and material. Stone walls and boulder placements anchor the home to its hillside, retaining terrain while framing views and creating inhabitable outdoor rooms.
Harsh conditions are softened through a deliberate palette of native planting, stone, and water. Cascading water elements introduce movement and cooling, balancing the arid environment while reinforcing a sense of continuity with the surrounding terrain. Materials are allowed to weather naturally, tempering the brightness of the site and grounding the architecture in its setting.
The result is a landscape that makes the high desert livable—an environment shaped by restraint, balance, and a deep respect for place, where natural forces are not resisted but carefully held.
Voices
What clients say
Ceres is a very professional and organized landscape design, installation, and maintenance company. This level of work is especially great for property owners such as myself who are new to an area and not on site all the time. I am looking forward to future projects and a long term relationship.