the black desert house by marc atlan + oller & pejic
photo © marc angeles, 2013
all images courtesy of the black desert house / marc atlan design
designed by renowned creative director marc atlan, alongside architecture office oller & pejic, ‘the black desert house’ offers expansive vistas across joshua tree national park in california. the low-profile dwelling forms a desirable and distinctive desert retreat, providing constantly changing panoramas of color, light and shade.
centered around a external courtyard, the kitchen and dining areas become the focal point of the project’s interior, before a deeply tiered stairway leads to a sunken living room where soaring panes of glass frame views of the impressive terrain. throughout the residence black walls, midnight quartz, high-gloss anthracite and darkened steel form the backdrop for the carefully selected use of color.
the low-profile structure is set amid outcrops of prehistoric boulders
photo © marc angeles, 2013
at the south-eastern corner of the plot, the home’s three bedrooms open out onto an angled black-tiled pool, where the adjoining patio is sheltered between the house and a boulder formation. at night the rocks can be gently illuminated from below.
despite being located only thirty minutes from palm springs, the serene and mystical atmosphere allows occupants and guests to feel as if they are completely detached from the rigors of modern day life. ‘the black desert house’ is currently available for professional location rentals, such as fashion and editorial photo shoots, advertising campaigns and TV and film production.
the approach to the desert retreat
photo © marc angeles, 2013
the home’s three bedrooms open out onto a pool at the rear of the property
photo © marc angeles, 2013
a patio is sheltered between the house and the boulder formation
photo © marc angeles, 2013
the scheme is articulated around a central courtyard
photo © marc angeles, 2013
floor to ceiling windows offer impressive views across the landscape
photo © marc angeles, 2013
the sunken living room
photo © marc angeles, 2013
the kitchen and dining area
photo © marc angeles, 2013
‘the black desert house’ provides constantly changing panoramas of color, light and shade
photo © marc angeles, 2013
MARC ATLAN (5)
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more commentsThere was another black house in the area about 5 years ago- Rosamuerta- that has all kinds of texture, details and ideas that really makes something interesting with black. This is just a normal modern house painted black – a bad copy of Maltzan’s white one- it looks like a superficial pose- like a goth kid self-consciously hanging around the mall.
A lot of you are too conservative. I love it because of its black stealth look. Great contrast to the natural surroundings!
too bad i arrived at the comments too late… but for all the people who are speculating about the color making the house a giant heat sink… The roof is where the bulk of the sun’s energy is directed and absorbed…This house has a white roof (incidentally, in this location, one of the only houses to have such…) What the sun sees is a white roof.
Since the house is at approx 4000 ft elevation during the winter when the sun’s angle is lower, the building can absorb more heat.
Hey! Now this house is cool (possibly an oxymoron) It’s brave to say the least but looking at the photos it’s more a charcoal than jet black offering changes in hue according to light variations hence getting the straight black effect as well. So what if it’s black & stealthy! The contrasts it presents are awesome & besides with technology today, why not take advantage of what’s available with insulation techniques such as ceramic paints using dark colors but offering a cut of several degrees plus all other forms of insulation. As for fossil fuel consumption.. That’s what solar power is for! It’s out in the sticks so why wouldn’t the house be totally self sufficient. Good on you Marc, I think “Well Done!”