Had a chance to tour “Bonita Domes” in Joshua Tree earlier this evening. These earth domes were originally constructed by drum maker and spiritual healer, Lisa Starr, based on a design by Nader Khalili, an Iranian-American architect who passed away in 2008. Khalili was a pioneer in SuperAdobe architecture, a building method where sandbags of moist earth are stacked with barbed wire in layers or coils to create a structure. Khalili was assigned in the mid-80s by NASA to design for lunar and space habitation on the Moon and Mars, so the result was a shelter using the most stable of all the architectural elements, the arch, or dome, and using local materials, soil, that would insulate and protect. Inspired by Khalili's work, Starr decided to adopt his building method to create a SuperAdobe house of her own. Starr wrote on her website that she connected with Khalili's building philosophy after attending a one-week workshop hosted by CalEarth in 2010 and bought the blueprints so she could build her own home. Starr completed the house in 2014 and lived there for the next six years, until 2020. The 1,339-square-foot house comprises a larger dome, equipped with two sleeping quarters, a living area, kitchen and two bathrooms. The singular domes include a studio living quarter, as well as two separate sleeping quarters, and a communal bath dome. The vast and beautiful grounds consist of desert landscape, an outdoor kitchen and BBQ area. There is a step down circular fire pit area, shielded from the high desert winds, for relaxing and taking in the millions of stars in the sky above. There is also a newly constructed pool with a large area for lounging and sunbathing. In addition to all these wonderful features, the property has a small temple on the grounds, perfect for a meditation room or an area to sit and reflect. And it is located just outside Joshua Tree National Park. Truly a unique high desert property. 

The Briggs Group / Coldwell Banker | Laurie Briggs DRE 01896117 | tim Briggs DRE 01898254 | Coldwell Banker DRE 00616212