Amazing Desert Retreat

A desert does not necessarily have to be a raw and empty environment, where heat purs down from the sky and the only living creatures come out of their minks at night. I mean, it usually is, but not in this case. In the desert near the Joshua Tree National Park in California, USA, the regular scheme of the landscape is broken by the amazing Black Desert House designed by creative director Marc Atlan together with the renowned studio Oller & Pejic.


Paradoxically, the house blends with the surroundings beautifully. It looks nothing like the naked rocks and rare and rachitic plants around it, but thanks to numerous courageous architectural solutions, it brings something unspecified, yet obviously natural to mind – a stone sculpture, for instance. Black painted walls with darkened steel accents and gently sloping shape of the main structure amplify that impression and contrast with the harsh brightness of the desert sunk in the sunlight.



The upper level of the Black Desert House consists of the kitchen and dining areas, whilst the main living space is located below, with a deeply tiered stairway leading to it and large windows offering an expansive view over the landscape. All the chembers are centered around an external courtyard.

The inside was designed to mimic the character of the exterior. It has a similar stark look, with dark gray walls and silver or black accessories and appliances. However, thanks to glassed-in panes that allow the sun to fill it with light, the interior doesn’t feel gloomy and murky.

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