R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Deep Beauty in the Desert with Aidlin Darling Design
The inception of the project, situated on a rocky plateau in the California desert, was rooted in reverence for its natural surroundings.
Architecture by Aidlin Darling Design
Contractor: D.W. Johnston Construction
Photography: Adam Rouse
Contractor: D.W. Johnston Construction
Photography: Adam Rouse
The architects, Joshua Aidlin and Adam Rouse of Aidlin Darling Design, hiked to the site, pitched a tent, and spent time getting to know the landscape, the weather patterns, the light, and the feeling. They strove to match the program to the specific site. The result is a triptych of elements: a floating roof plane, a collection of wooden volumes, and two concrete anchor walls.
Regard for the site was cornerstone. The entire project was built on that foundation of respect. It was the clients who set that tone.
“In this project, there was 100% respect among everyone involved. The value of that is underrated,” says Aidlin. “The success of a project is ultimately about the relationships of the client’s team.”
That show of respect was returned to the clients in many ways.
“In this project, there was 100% respect among everyone involved. The value of that is underrated,” says Aidlin. “The success of a project is ultimately about the relationships of the client’s team.”
That show of respect was returned to the clients in many ways.
Strong respect for the clients’ hopes and dreams for the project was one of them.
“Beauty and functionality together is what we were after,” they expressed. “And it is what we got.”
Surface beauty is one thing (not to be ignored). Deep beauty is another. Henrybuilt set out to achieve both, creating spaces that make it more enjoyable to do everyday activities—more fluid, natural, and easy. There is delight in living with useful objects that are built to last.
“The pantry is an unexpected joy. It feels like a jewel box: the walnut, the touches of metal. It is where we start every day, making and enjoying our coffee.”
Explore Henrybuilt’s Design Objectives
“Beauty and functionality together is what we were after,” they expressed. “And it is what we got.”
Surface beauty is one thing (not to be ignored). Deep beauty is another. Henrybuilt set out to achieve both, creating spaces that make it more enjoyable to do everyday activities—more fluid, natural, and easy. There is delight in living with useful objects that are built to last.
“The pantry is an unexpected joy. It feels like a jewel box: the walnut, the touches of metal. It is where we start every day, making and enjoying our coffee.”
Explore Henrybuilt’s Design Objectives
The white box inset on the cooking side of the kitchen was an intentional move to make it feel like an object: a framed piece of art in action.
There was a strong sense of respect for the way the clients live.
The architectural program Aidlin Darling designed was laid out for it. The private zones for the clients and their guests come together in a crystalline box in the center—not only capturing the views beyond but also creating the literal and metaphorical heart of the home.
The architectural program Aidlin Darling designed was laid out for it. The private zones for the clients and their guests come together in a crystalline box in the center—not only capturing the views beyond but also creating the literal and metaphorical heart of the home.
There was a respect for the values of the client, including the importance of sharing meals.
Accordingly, the kitchen is the community center of this desert retreat.
The clients wanted the kitchen to be a place where they come together to break bread with each other and their guests. This is reflected in the design of the functional zones of the kitchen, enabling the guests to be on stage but out of the way of the cooking and cocktail-making action.
Learn More About Our Approach to the Kitchen
Accordingly, the kitchen is the community center of this desert retreat.
The clients wanted the kitchen to be a place where they come together to break bread with each other and their guests. This is reflected in the design of the functional zones of the kitchen, enabling the guests to be on stage but out of the way of the cooking and cocktail-making action.
Learn More About Our Approach to the Kitchen
An equal level of respect was paid to the private spaces. While calmness prevailed, functionality was still a top priority for the clients. Henrybuilt applied the same care that was applied to the kitchen to the wardrobe.
The wardrobe, clad in oak with leather pulls, offers a sanctuary of storage—and an unexpected standing desk while working from home.
Explore the Henrybuilt Wardrobe System
Explore the Henrybuilt Wardrobe System
Entertainment beyond the kitchen wasn’t ignored, just hidden. A Henrybuilt system nestles into the monolithic shapes of the living room wall—a Judd-like take on the boulders outside—concealing a screen and a bar.
A respect for the surrounding landscape is reflected in the materials, a quiet balance of concrete, wood, and glass.
The darkness of the shou sugi ban siding is reflected in the iron-stained walnut of the Henrybuilt kitchen and pantry—refined but not “too perfect,” reflective of the variation found in nature. A feeling of refinement is present on the surface and inside without gimmickry. No more hardware is used than necessary, and materials and processes were kept simple and sustainable.
“The aging of the natural materials is fun to watch,” say the clients. “The patina—it changes with the desert.”
Henrybuilt's Approach to Quality
The darkness of the shou sugi ban siding is reflected in the iron-stained walnut of the Henrybuilt kitchen and pantry—refined but not “too perfect,” reflective of the variation found in nature. A feeling of refinement is present on the surface and inside without gimmickry. No more hardware is used than necessary, and materials and processes were kept simple and sustainable.
“The aging of the natural materials is fun to watch,” say the clients. “The patina—it changes with the desert.”
Henrybuilt's Approach to Quality
It may seem like an oxymoron that a system approach can create such a natural and intuitive outcome. Yet it is exactly what enables such results.
“As we were detailing the spaces in partnership with Henrybuilt, we never felt constricted by the system parameters,” says Rouse. “We did not experience compromise to the layout or the architecture with their approach. We had all the confidence the Henrybuilt work would turn out well because they stand behind it. There is a piece of mind knowing the systems work. But they are a different system company. They take that expertise to tailor their system to the architecture. And all the hard work they have done on R&D is being experienced daily by the client.”
“As we were detailing the spaces in partnership with Henrybuilt, we never felt constricted by the system parameters,” says Rouse. “We did not experience compromise to the layout or the architecture with their approach. We had all the confidence the Henrybuilt work would turn out well because they stand behind it. There is a piece of mind knowing the systems work. But they are a different system company. They take that expertise to tailor their system to the architecture. And all the hard work they have done on R&D is being experienced daily by the client.”
The culture of respect led everyone to work toward an end result greater than the sum of their parts.
“It was a true collaboration between the clients, the architects, and Henrybuilt that created the kitchen and storage program for these complete foodies,” said Aidlin. “Everyone was pulling on the same rope.”
Respectful relationships. Remarkable results.
“It was a true collaboration between the clients, the architects, and Henrybuilt that created the kitchen and storage program for these complete foodies,” said Aidlin. “Everyone was pulling on the same rope.”
Respectful relationships. Remarkable results.
