Desert Eco Homes Planned for the Mojave Desert: PAR Desert Houses

A new desert home community has been planned for La Quinta, CA in the Mojave Desert, just outside of Palm Springs. The rich desert landscape covered in spiny Joshua Trees will continue to be respected in this new discreet eco-community. Designed by Platform for Architecture + Research, 18 homes will be constructed to fit within the natural topology, carefully minimizing any environmental disturbances. Each home has been designed for the hot desert climate of the Mojave and includes solar shading, solar power, natural ventilation, xeriscaping and more.

The project is located on 15 acres of land several miles outside of Palm Springs, CA in the Mojave Desert. Our approach was to minimize environmental and ecological impacts while still meeting the objectives of our client’s brief. In doing so, we aimed to contain land disturbance by siting the villas within their natural topography as much as possible. We also developed more compact building footprints by increasing outdoor living spaces that take advantage of the temperate, sunny climate. The sweeping desert site has been subdivided into 18 unique plots accessed by discreet, naturally paved roadways. Plots are on average one acre and have a low lot coverage of 13 percent. Villas have been sited to maximize views and privacy while also making use of prevailing northwesterly winds for natural ventilation.

Desert Houses