The masterminds at Industry of All Nations (IOAN) have brought to life The Landing House, a contemporary wooden pavilion seamlessly blending with the untamed beauty of the Mojave Desert. Situated against the stunning backdrop of California’s Joshua Tree National Park, this architectural marvel is a testament to the perfect harmony between nature and design.
Approximately 130 miles east of Los Angeles, and only minutes from the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, The Landing House is seemingly worlds away. Designed with sustainability at its core, and at every turn, the home masterfully blends into the layout, textures, and color palette of its desert canvas.
“The landscape is harsh, and it can take decades for a plant or tree to recover if displaced from its delicate ecosystem,” explains Fernando Gerscovich, a Buenos Aires-born architect who, along with his brothers, Juan Diego and Patricio, created The Landing House as a comfortable human habitat in the desert environment. “We were determined to minimize disruptions of the natural landscape, so our design focused on integration that wouldn’t disturb the surrounding plants and natural geography of the land.”
The Landing House, a haven of peace and seclusion, has become a sanctuary for those seeking a tranquil getaway. Homestead Modern offers this exquisite property as a vacation rental, allowing people from all over the world to experience its beauty. As you make your way down a 400-yard private road, surrounded by majestic Joshua trees, you’ll be greeted by a stunning 9-foot-high wall that completely hides the house from view. A graceful Yucca tree stands proudly, marking the entrance to The Landing House. Step through the cleverly concealed entrance and catch your first glimpse of the house, as it reveals itself through a breezeway landing that separates two distinct sections. Straight ahead, an open courtyard awaits, offering breathtaking views of the Mojave Desert and a refreshing plunge pool to enjoy.
The Landing House’s warm and thoughtful balance of natural materials and modern amenities provides a comforting core in the embrace of an untouched native landscape. The floorplan features two bookended bedroom suites, with the breezeway landing connecting the house as two wings. At one end, a bedroom suite with a uniquely-designed round window connects to a main floorplan encompassing a living room, a kitchen, and a dedicated workspace. To the other side of the breezeway, a second bedroom with its own private access, known as the Pool Suite, occupies roughly a third of the house.
All internal spaces of The Landing House are clad in cedar wall paneling, with slightly polished concrete floors, and thoughtfully-designed white oak furniture. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide unobstructed views of the pristine desert landscape, and all areas of the floorplan overlook a plunge pool in the courtyard.
A concrete platform extends perpendicularly from the breezeway landing to the plunge pool, with its monolithic and geometric form designed for soulful moments overlooking the vast beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. To the right, a separate structure houses a carport with a solar panelled roof, providing vehicles with a necessary reprieve from the hot desert sun. To the left, a firepit is hand-carved into a boulder that has been left in place.
Concealed from the courtyard, but intimately tucked away just around the corner, a sculptural landing pad with yoga mats sets the stage for Zen moments against the backdrop of a natural rock formation Framed by oxidized solid steel, the landing pad is filled with a compacted base of desert soil, further integrating it into the natural landscape.
On the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, The Landing House has emerged as a prime example of eco-sensitive stewardship and sustainable architecture. Its non-intrusive horizontal form complements its natural surroundings, providing balance to the designers’ vision of peaceful coexistence with the environment. Furthermore, with The Landing House integrated into the existing terrain, its landscape architecture is delivered courtesy of Mother Nature.
“Our core vision revolves around the process of creating things in truly sustainable ways, and we are proud of The Landing House as an extension of that vision,” concludes Fernando Gerscovich. “It is a reminder to us all that sustainability can be applied in beautiful ways to all aspects of our daily lives.”