at ARCADIA Modern Look

It all began with a search for the perfect school. Two years ago, Roger and Joanne Hurni moved to Arcadia from North Scottsdale. Looking for a neighborhood with great schools for their children Reese and Niko, who had recently been adopted from Russia, also meant finding a new family home. After months of vetting schools, the home hunt proved to be just as difficult. “We wanted something very modern and contemporary, something very us,” said Joanne. A home on 56th Street, just south of Camelback, kept popping up on their radar. The home was in desperate need of TLC, but something about the property just stayed with them. The home had been abandoned and was recently bank owned. It was an exceptional deal and they knew they could transform the space. Roger created his dream team to build the home. Kent Collins, a close friend and owner of Collins and Co., was the general contractor. Allison Rainey, the wife of a good friend, came on as architect. “We hired Allison but we’d never seen her portfolio. The best part was when she sat down and showed us her work. She had vast experience with modern architecture,” said Roger. Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and an absence of applied decoration. It became an architectural movement at the turn of the 20th century with a real emphasis on shape, form, light and transparency, as well as functionality. The Hurnis sat down with their newly hired architect and general contractor for a brainstorming session. Their collaboration led to a modern concept, completely practical for a young family. By Amanda Goossen Photographs by Mike Baxter, Baxter Imaging