Architects: Kovac Design Studio
Area: 856 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Roger Davies
Manufacturers: Hansgrohe, Grohe, Alusion, Brizo, Dacor, Kaia Lighting, Whiting and Davis
Lead Architects: Michael Kovac, Thomas Schneider
Interior Design: Kovac Design Studio
Lighting Design: Lux Populi
General Contractor: RJC Builders Inc
City: La Quinta
Country: United States
Madison Desert Club vacation home, designed by Kovac Design Studio in La Quinta, has transformed the desert retreat experience. Completed in 2020, this luxurious home combines the ambiance of a boutique hotel with the charm of the Golden Hollywood era of Palm Springs. The design emphasizes dramatic desert views and seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces.
Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a dark water element that shimmers and rises from the ground. An oculus in the roof canopy provides shade and connects the main living space to six surrounding casitas, creating dynamic shadow patterns. Steps bisecting the water element lead to the main living space, offering dramatic views of the surrounding mountains.
The back of the house features nearly frameless motorized glass doors that frame the landscape and retract for seamless indoor/outdoor living. The outdoor living area includes Gloster sectionals, a firepit, William Haines Malibu Chairs, and a bespoke Cremo Delicato marble dining table that seats twelve.
Inside, the kitchen, great room, bar, and lounge are open and ideal for entertaining. Furnishings include a Tufty Time sectional by B&B Italia, Platner Easy Chairs by Knoll, and a bespoke Armadillo rug. The bar area features an intimate conversation space with vintage Pierre Paulin Groovy Chairs.
Metal architectural drapery surrounds the lounge and bar, with rings that mimic the shadows of the overhang outside. A standout feature is the suspended theater above the bar with a motorized, movable wall that doubles as a movie screen. When closed, the theater is an enclosed screening room. When open, it transforms into a stage for live performances, with the screen viewable from the entire home.
Downstairs, a wellness spa and gym open to a sun-filled private garden. An entertainment room with custom built-in bunk beds and a large sectional offers additional space for guests, with a garden terrace just outside. Outdoor open-air hallways, bathed in soft light from the canopy above, lead to the six casitas.
Each casita has a private patio and firepit enclosed by a retractable wood-clad wall, allowing for easy socializing. Each casita also includes a bath with an indoor/outdoor shower and a mini-fridge and bar for private relaxation. The home’s natural palette of plaster, wood, and stone harmonizes with the surrounding landscape, creating a true oasis in the desert.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: La Quinta, California, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
