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1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home
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1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

From the Photos: Peek inside these 80+ historic Tucson homes series
  • May 31, 2018
  • May 31, 2018 Updated Mar 4, 2020

Alvin Gordon's home was photographed for the Tucson Citizen home section in 1963. The home had Spanish, Mexican and Native American accents.

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

A view of the Alving Gordon home in the Catalina foothills points up several of the unusual architectural aspects. Angular buttress columns of baked adobe serve both an architectural purpose and as a structural support. The architect utilized native ocotillo in devising the roof structure. Used alone in roof overhangs it provides interesting patterns of light and shadow.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Sahuaros and natural desert growth surround the home as seen in this view of the patio and pool. Mexican ollas and baskets decorate the patio floor which is the same as in the home's interior.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Interior and exterior meld together through the use of glass walls and gables on either side of the dining-living area. Indian rugs are used and the adobe wall circles around to form the beehive fireplace in one corner of the living room. Furnishings combine Indian and Spanish designs.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Original oils by a Mexican artist on the living room wall depict All Saints day ion Mexico. Glass doors open to the covered patio area and then on to the swimming pool and larger exterior patio.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Again one gets the effect of light and shadow cast through the ocotillo strips used on this portion of the patio. The exposed two foot wide wall surrounding the home serves both for seating and sunning.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Pine doors at the front entry are in a satin hand rubbed dark finish. Mexican baskets and pots are used as planters. Lamp is of wrought iron.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Tones of gold, rust and black are used in the master bedroom. Bolsters on the bed are covered in the same material used in the draperies, a hand-blocked Indian geometrical pattern. Dressing area and bath adjoin.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Birch cabinet work in the kitchen and laundry area is in a rubbed walnut finish. Hardware is in an oil rubbed bronze finish. Kitchen is to the left and laundry to the right.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Shutters are used at the windows of the guest bedroom. Covers on the twin beds are in a black and white hand done print and bolsters are covered in rich tangerine.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

Shutters are used at the windows of the guest bedroom. Covers on the twin beds are in a black and white hand done print and bolsters are covered in rich tangerine.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

The dining area.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

1963 Tucson home photos: Ocotillo roof on a Foothills home

This plan shows the relationship of the protected patio to the outside patio and to the living area and something of the openness of the home.

Bill Sears / Tucson Citizen

Article: Ocotillo Roofs Foothills Home

Download PDF Article: Ocotillo Roofs Foothills Home
In this Series

Photos: Peek inside these 80+ historic Tucson homes

  • Updated Jul 21, 2020
    1961 photos: This round house was home to 2 UA librarians
  • Updated May 7, 2020
    1960 Tucson home photos: the Glenn Poole home
  • Updated May 7, 2020
    1958 home photos: Storybook house for a lady
  • 81 updates
  • Previous
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