Jeff Zischke’s Scottsdale Sanctuary

Walking through artist Jeff Zischke‘s home and yard is like taking a peek at his passport.

Between world travel and exploration, Zischke moved to Scottsdale 26 years ago and made a name for himself designing the exteriors of Axis/Radius, (the now-defunct) Zen 32, and Madison’s.  He’s also the brain behind the design for the W Scottsdale‘s cabanas, and kept one in his backyard with, of course, a little added flair.

Zischke’s lived in his current Scottsdale home for 12 years with his wife and daughter, and says he’s constantly adding and changing out new artwork, sculpture, and plant life.

In his backyard, the ramada, cabana, and gazebo are the three different environments for the family to to relax, and the front and back of the house are surrounded by an Australian garden, orchard garden, desert garden, and Japanese garden.

“We live outside a lot. [The gardens are]  my pride and joy,” says Zischke.

The artist is a big believer in re-purposing. The “mumbrella” that sits by the pool (an umbrella with silk mums woven together for a top)displays hanging solar light fixtures made from plastic, ink-stripped McDonald’s and Subway cups.

“[My home] is always changing, always evolving into something,” says Zischke.

Zischke’s two-story studio (pictured below) is in the backyard with views of Camelback Mountain, Mummy Mountain, and the McDowell Mountains.

He says visitors knock on his door to purchase up a few of his pieces that are on display (most are for sale, save for a couple that are dear to him).

While Zischke mainly studied painting and ceramics, he now does a little bit of everything — he may even dabble in glassblowing this summer.

“I like to be involved in the processes,” he says.

Click here for a slideshow of Zischke’s home and gardens. 

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