Good KARMA | Sustainable Design by Boyer Vertical

KARMA is a pioneering collection of 11 modern, single-family homes prioritizing livability and longevity. Recessed windows and skylights protect the home from significant heat gain, providing natural light without the heat that usually comes along with it.

KARMA was conceptualized and spearheaded by Jason Boyer, FAIA, founder of Boyer Vertical. He received his bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his master’s in architecture from Arizona State University. With more than 28 years of experience in the home design industry, from architecture to construction, he has a long and impressive history as an architect and developer.

Boyer is an AIA Arizona chapter member, Arizona Registered Contractor, Arizona Architectural Foundation board member, and a USGBC LEED Accredited Professional, among many other memberships and accolades. He founded Boyer Vertical in 2020 to incorporate forward-thinking design into every project he creates. KARMA stands as a testament to this goal.

KARMA is the first community in the U.S. to use SPAN.io as standard equipment; In KARMA homes, the panels allow homeowners to prioritize essential circuits through your phone, ultimately reducing your energy footprint, reducing grid dependence and enhancing the home’s efficiency.

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Sustainable features of KARMA homes can be found all the way down to the bones of the house through the use of ZIP System Insulated R-Sheathing, a structural panel system for roofs and walls that combines an engineered wood panel with a water-resistant and air-blocking barrier–, creating a thermal break (regulating the temperature of the home) and making the walls more acoustically sound and superior.

Each KARMA home fosters indoor-outdoor livability and utilizes similar materials and colors from interior to exterior. “The bold material choices help draw the eye to the backyard,” Boyer explains. “You see this in the kitchen. The outdoor fireplace is in a direct line of sight from the kitchen], drawing you to the outdoor space and promoting that indoor/outdoor living lifestyle.”

While the 2,500-square-foot footprint is modest, integrating natural light into the home played a significant role in its design. Windows and operable skylights breathe life into the living space and create an atmosphere that’s both open and inviting.

The home’s interior warmth and minimalism, making the space feel open and inviting. Charcoal wood cabinets in the kitchen mimic the color of the garage siding, adding continuity from the outdoors and creating a bold contrast to the softer tones of the rest of the home. A large white and tan kitchen island complements the wooded accent wall at the home’s entry furthering that seamless connection between the indoors and out.

Not only is the functionality and design of the home sustainable, but the fabric of the house itself is as well. Boyer utilized top-tier post-tension concrete for the foundation. The steel cables placed between layers of concrete strengthen it and provide stability and safety for the structure. Renewable wood flooring was selected for the interior, a nod to longevity, and contrasting NewTechWood European siding is used at the garage and entryway. The European siding is a better option on a home’s exterior because it gives buyers the beautiful wood finish but holds up better in the desert’s harsh conditions, making it long lasting and ultra-low maintenance.

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Sustainability and incorporating features that enhance a home’s longevity and ensure comfortable living are always central to Boyer’s approach.

“I most enjoy the challenge of putting a project together. I consciously decided to move into this space where I control the design, development and construction. Sometimes I get too much in the weeds with executing the details, but the overall formation and strategic thinking that goes into the design’s vision is my favorite part of the process,” Boyer says. “While the lifespan of an average home is typically 30 to 50 years, architect-designed homes, crafted with high-quality materials and thoughtfully integrated into their surroundings, are built to last much longer. My design choices reflect a deliberate investment in durability, functionality, and aesthetic value, ensuring the home’s longevity and resilience. The details really matter.”