apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Striking but a little too much like a prison for me.

Beautiful. But too dark, even for me ;-)

The black is indeed a bold styling choice and creates a unique aesthetic, but for a mostly-underground space there's just entirely too much of it. A few black walls and surfaces could keep that aesthetic alive, combined with more mid tones to reflect a little more light.

Love the design of the house though, and the semi-underground idea is perfect for the desert.

Too stark and depressing for me. Looks like a prison. No thanks.

I'm going to see if I can visit this place in person and report back about the interior lighting...I have a feeling this structure is hard to photograph due to the desert light and the dark interior. It might be a home that looks even better at night lit.

The sunlight is so hot and harsh and opressive in the desert I imagine the dark interior spaces might be welcomed if you are actually there.

It's very "Midnight Express."

I love it - I have the feeling that the cool darkness is a welcome relief against the bright sunlight/heat of the desert environment...

..and it's more likely stepped into the ground not for it's asthetic profile or sheltering appearance, but due to the fact that in this desert environment the earth is much cooler below ground level than it is on the surface - so this space can be habitable without A/C or even electric fans.

This house looks like a jail. And not in a nice way (kidding). I mean, I'm into modernism as much as the next person, but this is a little ridiculous.

"This house looks like a jail."

You should all consider that this isn't a real house for 365 living: There are no doors or glass windows - the interiors are open to the elements...

...sheetrock and plaster walls and precious wood floors aren't going to last very long out there.

Dramatic, beautiful, and unearthly.

Looks like a great place to shoot an orgy scene in a porno. You could just hose everything down when you were done.

I stayed here a couple weeks ago. It was AMAZING. It didn't feel dark at all--there is so much light in the desert, and then there's these mirrored ceilings that reflect a bunch of light too. Also the black, sorta surprisingly, ends up being really reflective and takes on all the desert colors around. Sitting in the spa at night, having the fire going a few feet away, in the middle of Joshua Tree--I haven't been so relaxed for a long long time! I actually think that it's quite a deal for $200/nite.

While you were staying there did you drink any cool-aid? This place works as a tongue in cheek conceptual exercise. It should have stayed that way; conceptual. It is an affront to all things built. Sorry, but it really rubs the wrong way. Mister X's dystopian psychetecture has never been closer to reality.

Check out the details- the construction and details are way too architectural and serious for it to be "toungue in cheek" or "conceptual" . . that was what's so wierd about it . . . it was fun and strange . . but also refined and engineered. The screen wall alone was crazy. . . the heart shaped conc blocks are home made. . and the wrought iron is drilled through the blocks so it holds it together. . .it is exposed structure and decoration at the same time. I don't think every house should be like this but it made for a cool weekendand I saw new details all weekend. I met the guy because he is building another house next door, and he is literally d.i.y.ing these houses on weekends year after year. . what exactly is "conceptual" about that? Mmmmmm. . . kool-aid!

I am impressed with the detailing and execution. I am also willing to admit I might be totally wrong as I have not seen the place in person. It is refreshing in the country of pure dreck architecture that someone is making something like Rosa Muerta. I find the aesthetic terrifying nonetheless.

My sister recently stayed here for a weekend and thought it was amazing (and not too cold, although she was there on a wintry February desert weekend). The light was what particularly struck her, both the architect's use of it and the natural conditions. The second project is still being constructed on the property (definitely far enough away for privacy), and it promises to be equally interesting and perhaps a bit more "luxurious" (e.g., heating and cooling).