Ye Rin Mok

The Mojave desert in south-east California, with its particularly fragile ecosystem, is breathtakingly beautiful. This convinced Argentine architects Juan Diego and Fernando Gerscovich (IOAN) that it was the ideal place to build their family retreat. They were intent first and foremost on “preserving the landscape and adopting a minimalist approach to obtain a harmony between the form, materials and scale of the architecture and the surrounding environment”. Completed in early 2023 on a plot of around two hectares, The Landing House has been imagined as a branch that has fallen from the emblematic Joshua tree. This low-rise horizontal timber construction, anchored in the ground, is ready to withstand the elements without requiring any particular maintenance. The hope is that the red cedar cladding will turn grey and blend even more closely with the landscape.

Ye Rin Mok

This geometric volume pitched in the middle of the desert arouses curiosity. There is nothing vaguely architectural, or house-like, about it. When you approach the almost three-metre-high wall that runs the length of the building, there are no visible windows or doors. The only clues are a concrete step and a yucca. They lure visitors imperceptibly towards a hidden gate that opens onto a shaded courtyard featuring Panamericana (Plantation Teak: IOAN) folding chairs and that gives access to the living quarters. Simple and functional, it consists of a rectangular parallelepiped. The main living area, kitchen and a bedroom are on one side of the courtyard, while another bedroom with its own private entrance is on the other. Its design makes it possible to soak up the natural beauty of the landscape without disturbing the surrounding vegetation or the lay of the land.

Ye Rin Mok

The decision to use wood was intuitive because of the warmth it exudes and the intrinsic quality of Pacific Northwest red cedar, an ideal element for embodying an elemental form while also being naturally highly insulating. This allows the inside to be kept comfortable during extreme summer and harsh winter temperatures. Other materials, each painstakingly selected, include polished concrete for the floors, glass for the large picture windows, aluminium for the sliding door frames and galvanised steel for the bespoke kitchen window and round windows. Although a system of solar panels makes up the roof for the carport, the house is connected to the electricity grid, which is used to supply AC power and heat via a heat pump. The two architects, who are also brothers, designed most of the furniture, all in solid American white oak. A sofa upholstered in vegetable leather and Argentine sheepskin features alongside a Louis Poulsen PH 4/3 hanging light above the dining table and a Bang & Olufsen loudspeaker.

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A model of sustainable architecture, the house is free of all synthetic or chemically toxic materials. The result is extremely liveable in terms of temperature, thanks to a high level of sunlight that bathes the home 90% of the time and warms it in winter. During the hot summers, the shaded courtyard or the interior of the home become havens of coolness, while the sliding glass doors are specially tinted to filter the direct flow of sunlight without impinging on the exceptional view outside. Circular shapes have been chosen for some of the windows, framing the entire national park and transforming it into the prefect work of art. This hallmark has been repeated in several elements of the project. The minimalist kitchen is clad in white oak with a solid stainless steel worktop. It is above all functional, integrating everything you could possibly need into a relatively small space. The appliances include a Sub-Zero fridge and a Wolf hob and oven.

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The bedrooms are pleasant with a natural vibe thanks to the use of wood, perfect for taking a siesta or reading a book while spotting passing Jackrabbits or Roadrunners. They are fitted with Trizo 21 reading lights. The bathrooms are identical on each side of the house. White has been chosen for the coverings to create a clear contrast with the warm cedar that clads the rest of the house. The walls are covered in white ceramic tiles, giving them the look and feel of a laboratory, with the sober effect being carried on in the rest of the space comprised of a shower, toilet and wall-mounted washbasin. From the vertical window opening, the fantastic rock formations make for an enthralling view.

Ye Rin Mok

The Landing House is all about discovery, serenity and contemplation. This idea is further reinforced by the sculptural landing area, 5.5 m in diameter, which blends into the natural rock formations and often hosts yoga mats. This peaceful coexistence between habitat and environment is one of the fundamental principles behind the projects of Industry of All Nations (IOAN), an architects’ office specialising in research, design and sustainable development that strives in particular to rethink production methods for consumer goods. Created in 2010, it takes on residential and landscape architecture projects but also delves into interior design and furniture, swimming pools, travel and fashion. The common denominator is its quest to ensure that the products and materials are manufactured in their regions of origin.

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Circular in shape and reached at the end of a path, the saltwater swimming pool, leading straight on from the covered area, has been made of poured concrete and finished in plaster. Majestic boulders have been added to the landscaped area, making the environment an even greater part of the home. Another exterior feature is the fireplace, sculpted by artists Roger & Jacob Hopkins. The bench next to it has been made by a local joiner from Douglas fir. The house, which has been a source of delight for the architects, their families and friends, is also available to rent (Homestead Modern). “I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to design and build this house in one of the most peaceful and unique regions on this planet, just 2 hours from Los Angeles where I live. As Fernando Gerscovich puts it, “When I’m here, I feel at peace and very grounded. The light, the animals, the stars, it’s like being in a dream”.

Ye Rin Mok