Wabi-Sabi House

A landscape rooted in its setting

At the base of Chino Canyon, Wabi-Sabi House connects a desert garden with its surrounding mountain landscape. Boulders, arroyos and planting shape the relationship between the house, courtyards and outdoor gathering spaces. Carefully placed stone and a landscape designed to retain rainwater on site give the garden a strong connection to its setting.

Landscape, architecture, and topography are organized as one site system. The plan coordinates the house, courtyards, circulation, grade changes, and boulder field across the desert site.

Living with the landscape

Boulders, cacti, and distant landforms are framed from within the house, while desert planting, shade trees, and gathering spaces extend the rooms outside.

Stone, planting and making

The front yard serves as a stormwater swale and basin; an informal stone garden of large boulders mimics the nearby mountains, and a gravel arroyo lined with sculptural desert plants runs uphill toward the entry. At the rear, a monolithic black stone pool with knife edges mirrors the sky and the surrounding tapestry.

Stone as a point of encounter

Several geologically distinctive stones found on site were placed where they could become part of daily experience. Crossing mineral lines, unusual forms and weathered surfaces invite a closer look. At the front door, a massive boulder with a crystal vein offers another encounter with the artistry already present in the landscape.

Bringing the landscape to life

Boulder placement was studied from rooms inside the house and from the different places people would occupy outdoors. John spent weeks refining their positions with the team, considering how each stone contributed to views, movement and the daily experience of residents and visitors.

Fire and evening life

Conceived as an eternal flame rising from the earth, the fire feature winds organically between large stones. Colored glass was selected to resemble the surrounding gravel, allowing the flame to appear woven into the ground.

Water, stone and planting form the setting for evenings outside. A table beside the pool and places to gather extend the garden's life into meals, conversation and quiet moments after dark.