Inside an Off-The-Grid Modernist Desert Masterwork in Joshua Tree

Framed by the raw, otherworldly expanse of Joshua Tree, The Saturn Haus rises from the desert floor like a landform unto itself. Conceived as a fully self-sustaining micro-grid compound, the residence unfolds as a series of pavilions linked by open-air passageways that frame the desert’s shifting light and stark landscape. These breezeways function as the home’s circulatory spine—capturing 360-degree vistas and subtly marking the passage of time as the sun arcs overhead. The effect is a composition that is minimal in gesture yet monumental in presence.

Designed in collaboration with Northworks and completed in 2017, The Saturn Haus is now on the market for the first time, listed for just under $15 million by Charlie Price, affiliated with the Coldwell Banker Realty office in Newport Beach. He calls it an “architectural triumph,” a characterization that becomes undeniable the moment you move through its spaces.

Forged from concrete, steel, and wide expanses of glass, the architecture was meant “to frame the endless mountain views,” per Northworks. Floor-to-ceiling windows dissolve the boundaries between inside and out, creating what the architects describe as “a tranquil retreat away from the city, where [the owners] could create art in peace.” The starkness of the desert and the restraint of the design make the home an ideal sanctuary for any creative mind.

Each volume within the compound is conceived as its own refuge with a distinct purpose. The primary living pavilion anchors the estate with radiant-heated floors and gallery-like proportions.

A professional-grade recording studio offers acoustic purity and deep creative immersion, while guest suites provide uninterrupted seclusion. A dedicated wellness retreat encourages meditation and restoration, complemented by a rooftop viewing deck. An independent casita completes the ensemble—perfect for artists, long-term guests, or extended stays. Warm woods, polished concrete, and handcrafted details throughout soften the architecture’s minimal footprint.

“Sustainability lies at the core of The Saturn Haus,” says Price. “It redefines the very notion of luxury off-grid living.” An advanced photovoltaic array and wind turbine power the daily rhythms of the house, while thermal technology heats domestic water and maintains the lap pool’s temperature with remarkable efficiency.

The current owner described the home as “a beautiful machine for living,” echoing Le Corbusier’s philosophy. One could easily extend the metaphor: The Saturn Haus is also a machine for thinking, creating, and finding peace at the edge of the wild.

View the complete listing by Charlie Price of Coldwell Banker Realty, Newport Beach.