WABI-SABI HOUSE
Palm Springs, CAStatus — BuiltRole — Landscape design lead · Project management · Field coordinationPractice — Hoerr Schaudt
My contribution
- —Led landscape and garden design from concept through installation, with project management.
- —Authored a site composition that responds to existing boulders, arroyos and desert ecology rather than imposing on the site.
- —Directed field placement of granite boulders and the specimen-tree installation on site.
- —Developed a native planting palette that restores local desert ecology and retains stormwater on site.
- —Coordinated with Jill Lewis Architecture to integrate landscape and architecture.
Project Overview
The Wabi-Sabi House is an integrated landscape and architectural composition set within a hillside Palm Springs desert context.
Site Framework
Landscape, architecture, and topography organized as one site system.
The overall plan shows how building footprints, outdoor rooms, circulation, grade changes, and boulder placement are coordinated across the site.
Aerial view of the site framework
Landscape–Interior Relationship
Boulders, cacti, and distant landforms framed from within the house.
Bedroom view to the boulder garden
Entry threshold to the meditation space
Finished Landscape
A courtyard axis extends through the house toward the mountains.
Courtyard axis to the distant mountains
Outdoor Rooms
Desert planting, shade trees, boulders, and gathering spaces are organized as extensions of the house.
Mesquite shade tree at gravel garden
Outdoor gathering area at zero edge pool
Forms and textures
Materials, Boulders + Arroyo
Material study — arroyo, boulders, paving, and stone.
Arroyo, boulders, and desert planting
Stone and paving detail
Stone and glass gravel study
Construction Process + Field Leadership
Execution and field coordination — design intent translated into built work.
John Hreno directing boulder placement on site
Driveway paving bands and site grading in progress
Mature Tree Installation
Specimen-tree installation, directed on site.
Specimen tree arrival and placement
Dusk Experience
Architecture and landscape settle into the surrounding mountain terrain.
House and boulder garden at dusk
Project Information
- Year
- 2025
- Status
- Built
- Site area
- 0.5 acre
- Client
- Palm Canyon Development
- Role
- Landscape design lead · Project management · Field coordination
- Architecture
- Jill Lewis Architecture
- Final photography
- Douglas Friedman
- Staging
- Francesca Grace Home
- Credit
- Project created while employed by Hoerr Schaudt
Selected Recognition
- LUXE RED Award
- Architizer A+ Award
- Oasis Award
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