Program: Private Residence
Location: Palm Springs, California
Size: 4,714 sf
Status: Completed 2026
Set against the rugged, boulder-strewn foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains, Sheepfold is a 4,714-square-foot residence within Palm Springs' Desert Palisades community. Named for the native Bighorn sheep that inhabit the surrounding mountainside, the house was conceived as a quiet retreat deeply connected to its natural setting. Designed and developed by Studio AR&D, the architecture follows the contours of the terrain through staggered volumes and overlapping roof planes, establishing a quiet relationship with the landscape.
The experience of Sheepfold unfolds through a deliberate sequence of spaces, alternating between moments of compression and openness. An understated arrival gives way to carefully framed views, culminating in expansive living spaces that dissolve the boundary between inside and out. A massive existing boulder, preserved within the architecture, marks the transition to the secluded primary suite. Influenced by the quiet restraint of Japanese architecture, the interiors take on a monastic quality, where simplicity, proportion, and the interplay of natural light and shadow create a sense of stillness and contemplation.
A restrained palette of travertine, mineral plaster, white oak, and bronze reflects a Japanese sensibility toward natural materials, texture, and craftsmanship. Subtle variations in surface and tone become more apparent as daylight moves through the spaces, allowing materials and their imperfections to reveal their character. Warm, earth-toned stone echoes the surrounding granite hillside, while the continuity of materials between interior and exterior further connects the home to its setting. Together, architecture and landscape establish an atmosphere of quiet permanence, where the experience of place takes precedence over architectural expression.
