Palm Springs-based studio o2 Architecture has designed the Rock Reach House project.
The Southern California desert has been the setting over many years for great innovation and experimentation in the design of homes. Rock Reach House, by Blue Sky Building Systems, is the first home built using the revolutionary Blue Sky Frame™. This system allows homes to be site-built very rapidly.
Completed in 2010, this 1,000 square foot prototype home for prefab developer Blue Sky Homes is located in the Mojave Desert of California, USA, an arid desert region north of Palm Springs. The homeowner asked for a modest size, open and adaptable floor plan that was sustainable conceived with durable materials. The design would serve as a prototype for a future line of prefabricated “system-built” homes. Emphasis was given to flexible site placement; and ensuring minimal environmental impact while maximizing view potential and required privacy.
The Rock Reach House, a highly fire-resistant and termite-, mold- and rot-proof piece of art, is a simple but elegant 90 square meter, 2-Bedroom, 1-Bath house that floats above a fantastic terrain characterized by giant weathered boulders and ancient piñon and junipers in the high desert community of Yucca Valley, California. And only six columns support the entire structure.
In addition, Rock Reach House offers a wide array of green technologies:
- Solar photovoltaic electric generating system
- Solar hydronic system for hot water and forced-air heating
- Advanced septic system (including gray water system)
- Water well with two 1,500-gallon underground storage tanks
What we instantly fell in love with, though? The galvanized “cowboy” soak tub with deck, outside the house.
As for the land, where it …sits on…The private community consists of 320 acres, with only six other homes built thus far. The property feels completely removed from civilization. And yet it is only about two hours from the west side of Los Angeles, 35 minutes from Palm Springs and less than 20 minutes to the west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. Wildlife includes coyotes, bobcats, chuckwallas, rabbits, ground squirrels, and several varieties of snakes and a wide array of birds. The land has been described as being among the best quality, privately held land in all of the Southern California deserts. Upon visiting many have remarked that they felt like they were within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park itself.
Note, that this home, an iconic architectural treasure representing the first of an entirely new genre of design and fabrication heralding far more sustainable and efficient home building, is indeed available for short-term rentals.
