Simona is an interior design and décor writer for Homedit. Since 2011, she has been writing about interior design, DIY solutions, and the latest trends in home architecture.
With a name like Sawmill, you’d expect this to be a conversion project but, surprisingly, this is a newly-built home and the name is actually a metaphor. The house was designed and built by the architects at Olson Kundig in 2014. It serves as a cozy family retreat, being beautifully embedded into the landscape. The site on which it stands has been the subject of exploitation in the past so its current owners wanted now to give back to the land.
The house is situated on a remote site with a fairly rugged structureA large overhang on the deck helps to seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spacesThe desert landscape and harsh climate inspired the architects to use durable materials throughout the project
The Sawmill house has a sustainable design and is completely off-the-grid. It’s one of the most charming Olson Kundig projects because it tells a beautiful story and sends a powerful message. The architects managed to minimize the disturbance to the environment while at the same time maximizing the connection between the house and the nature which surrounds it. It’s organized into three wings connected at the center where they form a common living area. A large glass wall can be opened up by turning a wheel which is a really cool feature.
The flat roof is slightly angled and looks like it’s hovering in mid airThe house is organized into three wings which intersect and form a central living areaLarge windows and glass walls open the interior spaces to the outdoors and maximize this connectionThe architects used reclaimed materials throughout the project whenever possibleThe living room is a large, open space which can be connected to the outdoors by opening a huge windowThe window wall can be opened and closed by turning a large metal wheelA glass-enclosed fireplace is embedded into the concrete divider between the lounge space and the dining areaThis is a net-zero home, completely off-the-grid but you wouldn’t guess that just by looking at itThe hearth is one of our favorite features. It brings everything together and it creates a very warm and comfortable ambianceThe central social area has high ceilings and huge windows which give it a very airy look and feelThe colors, finishes and materials are simple and neutral, helping the house better connect to its surroundingsThe interior design as a whole is eclectic, combining elements from several styles and aesthetics
