Nestled within desert flora and rocky hills, the Cowboy Modern Desert Eco-Retreat is architect Jeremy Levine's personal getaway – an extraordinairy escape that is stylish and entirely off-grid property with no water, sewer, or mobile service. Dramatic as this might seem, this sustainable home is as visually and technologically sophisticated as they come, featuring sleek contemporary forms and eco-friendly systems.
Set in Southern California’s Mojave Desert near Pioneertown and Joshua Tree National Park, the two-bedroom residence is surrounded by mesas and low desert vegetation. Inspired by this beautiful natural landscape, the architect composed a home that acts as a flagship for sustainable living, both in terms of its building methods and its connection with its surroundings. Large openings, locally reclaimed weathered lumber for all interior and exterior wood, and a roof pitch that echoes the context's angles, mean this retreat is very much in sync with its locale.
And while it seems placed simply in the middle of its plot, ‘much consideration was put into determining the best location and orientation for the house within the pristine landscape', says Levine. Studying the area, the architect made sure to locate the structure in the path of canyon breezes, to capture the fresh air flow and help the building cool naturally.
Aiming for a zero-waste build, Levine prefabricated parts of the structure remotely to make sure assembly on site was swift and did not disturb the delicate local ecosystem. At the same time, ‘exposed steel framing was also inspired by simple metal structures on local horse ranches', he points out. Further eco-friendly credentials include grey-water recycling, working with reused/reclaimed timber, and a near-net-zero status when the planned solar panels are installed on site – the next step for the enterprising architect.
Levine founded his architecture firm in 2002 in Los Angeles and has since specialised in sustainable approaches, working on a wide range of projects, and in particular residences that have a strong modern feel and are sensitive to their surroundings. He is also a passionate supporter of education and the arts.
INFORMATION
-
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants are taken to new heights with three openings in one of London’s tallest buildingsGordon Ramsay Restaurants open at 22 Bishopsgate, from Asian-inspired cuisine and martini menus at Lucky Cat and Lucky Cat Bar; to an intimate chef's table, and an all-skill level cooking academy
-
Wallpaper* Design Awards 2025: the make-up collections defining contemporary beautyThe beauty winners of the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2025, selected by beauty editor Hannah Tindle, include playful and eclectic make-up collections by Hermès, Celine, Dior, Chanel and Prada
-
Don't miss these seven artists at Frieze Los AngelesFrieze LA returns for its sixth edition, running 20-23 February, showcasing over 100 galleries from more than 20 countries, as well as local staples featuring the city’s leading creatives
-
The 10 emerging American Midwest architects you need to knowWe profile 10 emerging American Midwest architects shaking up the world of architecture - in their territory, and beyond
-
A light-filled New York loft renovation magics up extra space in a deceptively sized homeThis New York loft renovation by local practice BOND is now a warm and welcoming apartment that feels more spacious than it actually is
-
Inside Bell Labs, the modernist vision behind Severance's minimalist settingWe explore the history of Bell Labs - now known as Bell Works - the modernist Eero Saarinen-designed facility in New Jersey, which inspired the dystopian minimalist setting of 'Severance'
-
Zaha Hadid Architects’ new project will be Miami’s priciest condoConstruction has commenced at The Delmore, an oceanfront condominium from the firm founded by the late Zaha Hadid, ZHA
-
A West Austin house invites you to commune with natureWestview Residence by Alterstudio, a West Austin house among trees, makes the most of large windows and open-air decks in a verdant setting
-
Apple’s new Miami store employs the principles of biophilic designApple’s first mass-timber store connects shoppers to nature while echoing the Art Deco architecture of Miami
-
The World Monuments Fund has announced its 2025 Watch – here are some of the endangered sites on the listEvery two years, the World Monuments Fund creates a list of 25 monuments of global significance deemed most in need of restoration. From a modernist icon in Angola to the cultural wreckage of Gaza, these are the heritage sites highlighted
-
Reflections from Los Angeles: a local writer's personal account of the LA firesArchitecture writer and local resident Michael Webb reflects on the devastating 2025 Los Angeles fires and offers his personal account of the events of the last two weeks in California
