Located in the rugged, high desert landscape near Joshua Tree National Park, California, the Monument House is a vivid and experimental retreat designed by architect Josh Schweitzer. Completed in 1990, the 950-square-foot home is composed of three interconnected, Cubist pavilions that appear to emerge from the rocky terrain. Schweitzer, who briefly worked for Frank Gehry, utilized bold, nature-inspired colors—mossy green, sapphire blue, and pinkish-red—that evoke the hues of the desert sage, sky, and wild flowers. The home sits amidst a landscape of immense boulders, and its angular, geometric volumes deliberately mirror the rock formations around it. The design is notable for its use of asymmetric, trapezoidal openings that frame dramatic views of the surrounding Mojave Desert, bringing the landscape into the interior spaces. The shifting perspectives and relationships between the house's three volumes create a dynamic experience as one moves around the property. The internal spaces are animated by paler tones of lime, ochre, mustard, and brick. Originally conceived as a vacation home for the architect and his wife, the Monument House later became available for private bookings, allowing the public to experience this radical and sculptural piece of architecture. The Monument House represents a long tradition of experimental architecture in the California high desert, where unique and visionary structures are often found. In 1990, the project was recognized with an Architectural Record Award in the vacation and summer home category. Credits Architect: Josh Schweitzer Photographer: Tod Seelie, Josh Schweitzer