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Collection by Erika Heet

Modern Desert Homes

From prefab to site-built, and off the grid to plugged in, to follow are some of our favorite desert houses from the pages of Dwell.

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Southwest: Steve Martino Phoenix-based landscape architect Steve Martino has unlocked the secret to successful gardening in dry desert environs: “The backbone of my career has been celebrating the desert rather than making apologies for it,” he says. His drought-tolerant designs relate to the southwestern climate and feature native plants—like the whale’s tongue agave, compass barrel cactus, and ocotillo in front of a Scottsdale midcentury house.
Southwest: Steve Martino Phoenix-based landscape architect Steve Martino has unlocked the secret to successful gardening in dry desert environs: “The backbone of my career has been celebrating the desert rather than making apologies for it,” he says. His drought-tolerant designs relate to the southwestern climate and feature native plants—like the whale’s tongue agave, compass barrel cactus, and ocotillo in front of a Scottsdale midcentury house.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The Element House by MOS Architects stands on pylons, creating the illusion of it hovering over the desert floor. Nine thermal chimneys, one of which can be seen right, channel hot air out from the interior living areas.
The Element House by MOS Architects stands on pylons, creating the illusion of it hovering over the desert floor. Nine thermal chimneys, one of which can be seen right, channel hot air out from the interior living areas.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
The desert loft resident is involved in off-road activities and required a place, which would sustain its appearance through sandstorms and extensive heat. The massive metal structure elegantly sits in the harsh environment. The entrance door, secluded behind the thick metal screen, leads to the largest area of the house, unifying the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. The hall connects to three bedrooms and the bathroom. The dining room exits to the terrace with the fireplace, carved in the floor. the ceiling is hollowed out right above it, following the lines of the round cut out in the floor. The gap's presence is almost poetic, as if it's the only passage transferring the smoke to the sky.
This home's prefabricated components were all made in Marmol Radziner’s home-building factory near Los Angeles, and trucked over to the one-and-a-half-acre site.
This home's prefabricated components were all made in Marmol Radziner’s home-building factory near Los Angeles, and trucked over to the one-and-a-half-acre site.
Covered patios along the basement level offer shaded areas for entertaining. The structure’s orientation provides optimal views of the Sonoran Desert.
Covered patios along the basement level offer shaded areas for entertaining. The structure’s orientation provides optimal views of the Sonoran Desert.
The house seems to claw onto the surrounding landscape, nestled on an outcropping with nearly 360 degree views of the surrounding desert.
The house seems to claw onto the surrounding landscape, nestled on an outcropping with nearly 360 degree views of the surrounding desert.
Chen + Suchart Studio used coated glass and stainless steel over thick, sandblasted masonry walls to reflect the shifting hues of the desert sky and rugged landscapes of the Sonoran Desert. The Staab residence was built on creating a sense of privacy, without obstruction of the views of the McDowell Mountains. While nestled in a suburban setting, the 3,000-square-foot abode offers a stark contrast in design and ethos to the homes around. In addition to its contemporary bend, the house was designed to take in a multitude of focal points from two different levels, allowing for both distant and local views.
Chen + Suchart Studio used coated glass and stainless steel over thick, sandblasted masonry walls to reflect the shifting hues of the desert sky and rugged landscapes of the Sonoran Desert. The Staab residence was built on creating a sense of privacy, without obstruction of the views of the McDowell Mountains. While nestled in a suburban setting, the 3,000-square-foot abode offers a stark contrast in design and ethos to the homes around. In addition to its contemporary bend, the house was designed to take in a multitude of focal points from two different levels, allowing for both distant and local views.
On the other side of the fence—built to protect the property from flash floods—is a desert oasis with cactus-lined walkways and patios set with butterfly chairs.
On the other side of the fence—built to protect the property from flash floods—is a desert oasis with cactus-lined walkways and patios set with butterfly chairs.

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