4 Stunning Desert Homes from Our 2017 Idea House Architect

o2 Architecture paid special attention to seamlessly integrating this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home into the native flora and fauna of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. Another important goal of the project was keeping a low profile, so as not to block neighboring homes' views.

The open, indoor/outdoor floor plan with cross ventilation is key to the home's passive solar strategy. Recent electric bills show the home generates slightly more energy than is consumed.

An open lanai between the great room and pool area provides ample space for outdoor entertaining and seamlessly ties together the home's two wings.

o2 Architecture created a simple, clean-lined interior for this 2,700-square-foot Palm Springs home. To maintain consistency with the architectural style of the neighborhood, the team utilized an existing enclosing wall and parkway landcaping to blend with the surrounding Spanish-style homes.

The clients requested warm finishes that reminded them of their Pacific Northwest roots. Due to the harsh desert climate, wood was not a sustainable option, so o2 Architecture opted for a high-density laminate timber that offers contrast with the inorganic materials used in the rest of the home.

The clients required ample outdoor space for their children to play, as well as a sizable outdoor dining room for entertaining friends and family.

This home lives larger than its 2,100 square feet, thanks largely to the great room's large sliding glass doors, which highlight the home's outdoor living space.

The pool area features pavers, defined with synthetic turf, and sweeping western views of the San Jacinto mountain range.

A system of rolling shades minimizes overheating due to the west-facing windows and prevents glare from low-angle sunlight in the evening.

This Mojave Desert home--a prototype for a line of prefab homes--was a collaboration between developer Blue Sky Homes and o2 Architecture. Sustainability and flexibility were primary goals of the project.

Flexibility was achieved with smart placement of cabinetry, which substitute for permanent, interior framed walls. And moveable, non-load-bearing walls are adaptable to homeowners' varying tastes and site needs.

Sustainability is inherent in the pre-fabricated philosophy: building materials that can be flat-packed minimize transportation volume. Not to mention pre-fab homes can be disassembled and moved to new locations. But the use of solar technologies lightens this home's carbon footprint further, providing energy for electricity, hot water, and space heating.