Architecture Wednesday: Joshua Tree Artist Retreat

This exceptional house, designed by renowned artist Alma Allen as his home and studio, epitomizes the unique intersection of art, architecture, and the natural environment that defines Joshua Tree.

The residence is anchored to the desert landscape by two massive hand-built stone walls that shield the home; you enter through a compressed passage, which dramatically opens up to reveal an inner courtyard around which the home unfolds.

Each room flows into that sanctuary, with one sided housing the kitchen, dining, living areas, as well as a half bathroom and the primary suite and bath, while the other end houses two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an entertainment room that opens to a patio,

Located adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, the home sits on over 14 acres spread across three parcels of land, ensuring privacy and proximity to the park. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial parcel of land adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, offering a unique combination of artistic legacy, architectural distinction, and exceptional privacy.

As always, click to emBIGGERate ...

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Architecture Wednesday: Hoot Owl Ranch

This modern home is actually a redesign of a 1958 homesteader’s property in Yucca Valley, in the California desert near Joshua Tree.

The three-bedroom, three bath ranch house sits on nine acers and was created to blur the boundaries between indoors and out via a peaked roof, open floor plan, abundant windows, and the creative upcycling of salvaged wood from the original structure.

It’s a simple plan, with a primary suite, secondary bedroom, and a bunkroom, along with open main floor living, dining and kitchen. Outside, under the patio cover is an additional living and dining area, with a hot tub around the back of the house.

Not for sale, but is for rent in case you’d like a California desert getaway …

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Architecture Wednesday: High Desert Retreat

Yes. It’s austere and stern and remote and minimal and foreboding, so it’s like me in house form, and I’m here for it.

This 3,100 square foot dwelling is tightly nestled on a rocky desert plateau outside of Palm Desert, California, overlooking the Coachella Valley and the San Jacinto Mountain Range.

The home is comprised of seven rectilinear wooden volumes under a square floating roof and large overhanging eaves to provide respite from the beating sun; there is a single opening in the roof that frames the sky and provide the pool area with sun exposure.

The entry path leads to a wall of windows allowing for a look through the house before you even enter. The dining room fills the entry, with a large patio following overlooking the pool and valley beyond. To the right is the kitchen, a focal point made for entertaining because there is room for “spectators” as well as the “players”—those creating the food and drink. The pool floats in front of the kitchen and then across the central patio to the living area with a large fireplace, built-in bar—and who doesn’t love a built-in bar—and a wall of glass.

Just steps from the living room is the main suite, with its own wall of windows with several large boulders just outside the glass. The main suite bathroom has a shower surrounded by glass, and a soaking tub with its own views.

On the other side of the home, accessed from either a small patio off the kitchen or the walkway to the front door, is a small casita with two en suite bedrooms for guests...

This is a house I’d kill for; I love the desert views because the house is so cool you can beat the heat. And y’all know I live for a Black home, and this house is clad in both concrete and shou sugi ban siding; shou sugi ban is a process used to preserve wood by charring it, which also makes it fire retardant and resistant to rot, insects, and decay.

Must.Have.

As always click to emBIGGEREate …

One Kind Design