Stunning Off-Grid iT House Sits Peacefully Within the Tranquil Desert Landscape

Californians often take their gorgeous landscape for granted, but leave it to an <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/architecture">architect</a> to remind us of all the glory that stretches out before our very eyes. Located in Pioneertown, the itHouse is a stunning off-grid construction that pulls the outdoor elements in for both aesthetic and <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/energy">energy</a>. Designed by <a href="http://www.taalmankoch.com/#488845/Off-grid-itHouse">Taalman Koch</a>, the home utilizes a modular, prefabricated system to cut down on waste and labor, as well as a number of passive heating and cooling measures. Conceived as a small house with glass walls and open floor plan, the itHouse beautifully melds the indoors with the surrounding landscape all while maintaining a light footprint on the delicate site.

Settled within one of the most unique, naturally formed areas of the Golden State, Pioneertown sits nearby Joshua Tree National Park and the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/coachellas-human-powered-dj-booth-blasts-renewable-blips-and-bleeps/">Coachella Valley</a>.

The area is remote, serene and free from distractions, making it the perfect site for the modern refuge from the city.

Light natural finishes and ample <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/lighting">daylighting</a> blur the lines between the indoors and out and give the home a  large, open and free-flowing feel despite its small size.

<a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/energy">Energy efficiency </a>is achieved through passive heating and cooling, utilizing site orientation and cross ventilation, radiant floor heating, hi-efficiency appliances and the use of solar photovoltaic and thermal panels on the roof.

Natural lighting is provided by floor to ceiling glass windows. In addition, a graphic design by artists Sarah Morris and Liam Gillick has been strategically mapped out ondiscreet areas of the glass walls to create framed views, sun-shading screen patterns and privacy zones.

The home easily adapts to the seasons.

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The seamless circulation and open plan truly allows for the outdoors to be pulled in.

Despite its compact construction, the house manages to use light to open up the space.

A play of light through the graphic adorned windows.

The home's aesthetic throws back to early California modernism, but its sustainable bend brings it to the forefront of design.