The Sawmill, A Remote Home In Perfect Sync With Its Surroundings

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 structure
The house is situated on a remote site with a fairly rugged structure
A large overhang on the deck helps to seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces
A large overhang on the deck helps to seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces
The desert landscape and harsh climate inspired the architects to use durable materials throughout the project
The 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 air
The flat roof is slightly angled and looks like it’s hovering in mid air
The house is organized into three wings which intersect and form a central living area
The house is organized into three wings which intersect and form a central living area
Large windows and glass walls open the interior spaces to the outdoors and maximize this connection
Large windows and glass walls open the interior spaces to the outdoors and maximize this connection
The architects used reclaimed materials throughout the project whenever possible
The architects used reclaimed materials throughout the project whenever possible
The living room is a large, open space which can be connected to the outdoors by opening a glass wall
The living room is a large, open space which can be connected to the outdoors by opening a huge window
The window wall can be opened and closed by turning a large metal wheel
The window wall can be opened and closed by turning a large metal wheel
A glass-enclosed fireplace is embedded into the concrete divider between the lounge space and the dining area
A glass-enclosed fireplace is embedded into the concrete divider between the lounge space and the dining area
This is a net-zero home, completely off-the-grid but you wouldn't guess that just by looking at it
This is a net-zero home, completely off-the-grid but you wouldn’t guess that just by looking at it
The hearth is one of our favorite features. It brings everything together and it creates a very warm and comfortable ambiance
The hearth is one of our favorite features. It brings everything together and it creates a very warm and comfortable ambiance
The central social area has high ceilings and huge windows which give it a very airy look and feel
The central social area has high ceilings and huge windows which give it a very airy look and feel
The colors, finishes and materials are simple and neutral, helping the house better connect to its surroundings
The colors, finishes and materials are simple and neutral, helping the house better connect to its surroundings
The interior design as a whole is eclectic, combining elements from several styles and aesthetics
The interior design as a whole is eclectic, combining elements from several styles and aesthetics