The Sawmill House By Olson Kundig

November 9, 2018

Architecture firm OLSON KUNDIG have designed 'Sawmill', a industrial-modern house that that lies in the desert of California. #ModernHouse #Architecture

Photography by Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig

 

Architecture firm OLSON KUNDIG have designed an industrial-modern house, located in the desert of California.

Designed as a family retreat, the house is embedded into the tough, scrubby landscape, and uses sustainable strategies and reclaimed materials.

 

Designed as a family retreat, this industrial-modern house is embedded into the tough, scrubby landscape, and uses sustainable strategies and reclaimed materials. #HouseDesign #IndustrialModern #Architecture

Photography by Gabe Border

Sawmill, made from concrete block, steel and glass, is a net-zero home that operates completely off the grid, and was inspired by the tradition of tents around a campfire. This influenced the layout of the house, which comprised of three wings connected by the central hearth in the living area.


This modern house is made from concrete block, steel and glass, and is a net-zero home that operates completely off the grid, with a layout that was inspired by the tradition of tents around a campfire. #ModernHouse #HouseDesign #Architecture

Top Photo by Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig, middle and bottom photos by Gabe Border

In the living room, a 12-by-26-foot window wall retracts with the turn of a wheel, transforming the outdoor patio into the fourth “tent” around the fire.


In this industrial-modern living room, a 12-by-26-foot window wall retracts with the turn of a wheel. #RetractableWall #Fireplace #GlassWall #LivingRoom

Photography by Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig

This retractable glass wall helps to create an indoor/outdoor environment, and the roof line extends to provide shade and shelter over the concrete patio.


This modern house has a retractable glass that wall helps to create an indoor/outdoor environment, and the roof line extends to provide shade and shelter over the concrete patio. #RetractableWall #GlassWall #ModernHouse #Architecture

Photography by Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig

Back inside, and here’s a closer look at the fireplace that connects the various areas of the house. It’s surrounded by steel-framed glass, which can be opened completely.


This industrial-modern fireplace is surrounded by steel-framed glass, which can be opened completely. #Fireplace

Photography by Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig

In the kitchen, cabinets wrap around the walls, while a dining table with bench seating is positioned centrally in the open area.


In this kitchen, cabinets wrap around the walls, while a dining table with bench seating is positioned centrally in the open area. #KitchenDesign #ModernKitchen

Top Photo by Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig, bottom photo by Gabe Border

In the bedroom, windows have been located in the corner to allow for a floor-to-ceiling picturesque view of the desert.


In this modern bedroom, the windows have been located in the corner to allow for a floor-to-ceiling picturesque view of the desert. #Windows #ModernWindows #CornerWindows

Photography by Kevin Scott / Olson Kundig | Architecture firm: Olson Kundig – Project Team: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal; Elizabeth Bianchi Conklin, AIA, LEED® AP BD+C, Project Manager | Contractor: Bruce Shafer