On a crisp spring day in 2017, Kristina Flanagan was horseback riding with a friend south of Sante Fe, New Mexico, when she saw a parcel of land that captured her imagination. “I saw it and I thought, ‘Oh no.’ And the land said, ‘You must do this,’” recalls the New Jersey native. So Kristina, who is a retired psychotherapist, decided to engage with the local community and purchase the grounds.

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To construct the 6,700-square-foot compound, Kristina partnered with architect Alexander Dzurec of Santa Fe–based Autotroph Design. Together, they envisioned a cluster of structures that includes a main residence and two casitas (or guesthouses) which are connected by walking paths and driveways. The desert dwelling also features equestrian facilities for Kristina’s beloved horses, who the homeowner considers to be members of her family in their own right.

“For [Kristina] it was crucial to have a connection to the land,” says Dzurec. “What was really important was to have a home that felt like it grew almost organically from the site.” The architect incorporated a mix of materials that reflect the tones of the soil and surrounding environs, from light-hued concrete to rusted metal and rammed earth—the latter of which is symbolic of the area’s geology.

While the home’s exterior is rugged and durable, the relaxed interior acts as a warm and inviting sanctuary. The communal spaces are accented by wood ceilings, clay plaster walls, and casework made using salvaged blue pine from local piñon trees that were killed as the result of bark beetle infestation.

Throughout the day, natural light passes through the home’s skylights and windows to illuminate the living areas, which adds a special touch for guests and residents. “The color of [the] light is much different from morning to midday and afternoon,” Dzurec says. “That’s something Kristina loves.”

Because the house is visible from a number of the preserve’s hiking and biking trails, Kristina wanted to ensure its design wasn’t disruptive to the visitors who come to immerse themselves in nature. “I wanted to be as quiet as I could be,” the homeowner says.

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While Kristina loves soaking up scenic views of the Galisteo Basin Preserve from the two casitas, her favorite room in the compound is located elsewhere. “I love my kitchen beyond words,” she says. “It’s well built with recycled materials. That’s where I gravitate toward.”

Kristina also loves art, and her collection is on full display throughout the compound—including within the property’s horse stables.

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The New Mexico home—which Kristina calls “La Molina” (Latin for “the mill”)—has become a refuge in her retirement. While the name pays tribute in part to an old windmill that is located on the site, Kristina also considers it to be a metaphor for the home’s significance in her life.

“Mill grinding is about creating nourishment from elements,” she explains. “Since this is a later-in-life project, it made sense to me that I would honor the experience. [The home] is a place of gathering and nourishment that I get to be the steward of.”

Related Reading:

A Fire-Resistant Home on Tricky Terrain Taps Into the Power of Prefab

A Sustainable Rammed Earth Home in New Mexico

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Alexander Dzurec, Autotroph Design / @autotrophdesign

Builder/General Contractor: Harmony Design & Construction

Structural Engineer: Luchini Trujillo Structural Engineers

Landscape Design: Radicle

Project Manager: Luca Marino-Baker, High Desert Creative