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: High Desert House

This house is giving me Flintstones-Jetsons-20,000-Leagues-Under-the-Sea-Jurassic-Park-Arachnophobia realness. I’m not sure I could live in it, but I couldn’t certainly take a stroll through it.  

The 5,000 square foot home on the edge of Joshua Tree National Park in California was imagined and created and built by San Diego architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg.

It all began in 1986 when Kellogg received a handwritten note from artists Jay and Bev Doolittle:

"Dear Mr. Kellogg, My wife and I recently purchased a very interesting, though unconventional, building site in the California desert." 

Kellogg was intrigued, and upon visiting the couple and seeing their 10-acre plot nestled within a cluster of massive boulders in the middle of the desert, he took on the project. The Doolittle’s gave him carte blanche to do what he wanted and so he designed what is probably one of the most striking organic modern residences to date. 

Once Kellogg had completed the building, famed artisanal designer John Vugrin came on board, and spent the next 14 years … fourteen years … crafting all the furniture and decor.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, hell, it’s not really my cup of tea, but it truly is amazing. 

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