Desert Saga

When architect, Malek Alqadi combined astute environmentalism with his exquisite taste, he didn't just create this home, he sparked a revolution in sustainable tourism. Set on the edge of the Joshua Tree National Park, guests take the lead in operating this clean yet luxurious off-grid space. Think serious stargazing sessions through a telescope, showering by a boulder, and falling asleep under the desert sky with a crackling fireplace at your feet—the second bedroom is open to the elements, with no walls or ceiling. And it's packed with technology too. You can measure your energy consumption, change your light settings and set cooling and heating temperatures of the space. Wrapped in salvaged weathering steel and up-cycled details, it raises the bar on stylish, conscious travel.

Home truths:
*Access to this home is via a dirt road
*You do have the luxury of A/C although it's not possible to crank it up too high
*The only way to get to the bedrooms is by climbing up a steep ladder
*Be sure to pack light as there isn’t a lot of storage space here
*Bedroom two is only for guests wanting to sleep under the stars – it's completely open to the elements with no walls or ceiling
*Understandably the internet speed is rather slow
*While there is sleeping space for six guests, it’s a bit of a squeeze for that many people
*The ceiling height of the first bedroom is very low
*The cement floors tend to be cold, we recommend packing slippers