Located in the high desert of Yucca Valley, about 45 minutes from Palm Springs and adjacent to Joshua Tree National Forest, this modest 1400sf two bedroom home sits comfortably on its five acre site surrounded by native Joshua Trees and cacti.

In addition to being economical, the compact plan enables a highly energy-efficient, net-zero design that can be operated off-grid. Oriented south towards the preferred views, ample glass is shaded by trellises in the summer while allowing the winter sun to warm the interior concrete slab. The shell of the house uses Preflex SIPs (structural insulated panels) that deliver R32 walls and an R48 roof. On top of the standing seam roof, a 3.2 KwH solar array is planned that will feed batteries on the garage.

Despite appearances, the Yucca Valley desert is a high-risk fire zone. Exterior materials are chosen for fire resistance and low maintenance. The roof is sheathed in standing seam metal roof, and the walls are a combination of corrugated metal and Nichiha Vintage wood fiber cement vertical siding that has the appearance of wood. Windows are fully tempered, and the home is protected with fire sprinklers.