Spirit Wind Joshua Tree is an exceptional place. My brother and sister-in-law recently made it theirs and are finishing and restoring it. It was originally designed and built in the early 2000s as the dream home of a talented architect. After he lost it in the recession,
a couple took it over and got it a bit closer to its finished state. But now, Jonathan and Patty have taken it on and they are 100% the perfect people for the job. She’s a talented landscape architect/real estate agent/artist and my brother has excellent and exacting taste in everything from vinyl and vintage record players to elaborate home automation systems, all of which are finding their way into Spirit Wind (along with much more).
It’s surrounded by acres of desert land covered in Joshua trees, cholla and beavertail cactus (which are beautifully in bloom now that it's spring), and desert wildlife like quails, bunnies and coyotes.
I could go on and on about the place: the way it’s constructed to frame light according to the equinoxes and solstices, the open three-story construction that the architect and his climbing friends rapelled down, the foyer that’s meant to mimic the grand entrance of the Parthenon so that the inner chambers are only revealed after a journey and met with an increased sense of awe — the place was designed thoughtfully. But it’s also, modern, relaxed, beautiful. I hope to spend so many good times there with them, family and friends. And I’m also excited they're launching it as an Airbnb soon so more people will have a chance to experience the place and the desert around it. Stay tuned. In the meantime, here are some pics.
Master bath with skylight.
Master bath with dual showers. What this image doesn't show is the laminar bath filler that fills the tub with a continuous stream of water from the ceiling and the amazing views out of the east facing window that looks onto the desert.
Views like this.
The roof has a Luis Barragan-inspired runoff spout that becomes a waterfall when it rains.
Lots of great graffiti on the walls in the garage, which is being renovated into a separate apartment (which will also be on Airbnb) as well as an art studio for Patty. Important to document before renovation. ♥ Neil Young.
The most serene place to sit with a drink in the evening, watch desert wildlife and see the sky change colors over the desert as the sun sets.
The landscape.
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