Thunderbird Heights

The horizontality of this minimally modern one-story flat roof home provides an elegant and understated response to the site and a counterpoint to its context surrounded by the dramatic Santa Rosa Mountains. By integrating with its desert context this home has captured a sense of place by making the best possible use of light and landscape. Its rich palette of materials and textures banishes any feeling of austerity and awakens the senses to provide a wonderful living experience. Situated on a 1.3-acre site perched on a plateau above Coachella Valley, the rugged, inhospitable Santa Rosa Mountains rise immediately from the back yard; bighorn sheep can often be seen wandering on the rocks above. The house sits roughly in the middle of the property; entry is off the driveway and through a private courtyard.
Walls of floor-to-ceiling glass provide intimate views of the dramatic desert surroundings. The glass extends each room blurring the line between interior and exterior. The experience is one of living in nature. The living room, kitchen open directly to terraces the master bedroom opens to a beautiful raked-gravel, Zen-inspired private garden featuring a statue of St. Francis. The master bathroom has its own private outdoor shower that is accessible from the main shower. Unique design elements, rich textures, and bold colors distinguish this home from others in the region. These elements include the decorative metal screens at the front gate and entry hall, cruciform shaped columns, the white terrazzo floor, a bright yellow wall of tile in the kitchen, and the aqua blue front door. Leading to the bedroom wing is a long wall of white brick for the display of client’s art collection. A glass wall allows the art to be seen prominently from the courtyard.
Other surprising ideas are evident in the treatment of the kitchen backsplash and bathroom showers. The furnishings reinforce this feeling of delight and joy. The floor is white terrazzo with amber accents to pick up the warmth of the earth tones outside. The furnishings provide surprise and delight and complement the architecture. The landscape architect has sensitively anchored this home to its site creating an authentic sense of place. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides intimate views of the desert landscaping and extends each room merging the line between interior and exterior. A swimming pool and spa are sited in the spacious rear yard at the base of the rising mountains.