I am reminded of the last encounter, a month or two back, with the black box in the desert, and the myriad negative comments. This project has its merits. It mainly steers clear of kitsch and even has its share of elegance. It’s not my taste, but I can acknowledge its value on its own terms. But really, sir, why do you insist on playing the philosopher? No, I didn’t plow through all the text. How could anyone? Why do you presume your thought process, perspective on life, and (if I interpret correctly), even your politics, should fascinate us? I don’t CARE about all that. Share it with your therapist, not us! Just show us your work with whatever text suffices to clarify the design and construction. Your bombast makes me want to HATE your projects.

dear oh dear,
the plans are nice enough but the reality is just a little less disturbing than a cell on rikers island.

To make a long story short: If you don’t like Robert’s explanation (and I’m not crazy about it as well) you don’t have to read it.

And the best part is that you really don

If there’s something between Rikers Island and Vegas… this might be it.

Love it or hate it, I think we might be seeing some defining work here, and it’s not a one hit wonder. This is the best F-you to the people who didn’t get the black house I could have imagined. More beautiful architecture. More thoughtful and writing.

All of the proportions are different on this one if you look closely. . . but you probably didn’t.

I actually really love the writing. I read it a few times and went to his website. It’s smart and thoughtful. Not in a “I made up some new words” kind of way like most architecture writing but in a “I actually have some new ideas and I want to get them out there” kind of way.

Why is it that I only am moved to post on Stone’s projects? I normally don’t care when I see someone post thoughtless comments. Whether you like it or not Stone raises the bar on what architecture can be.

For all you lovers and haters, you can rent this place for $420 per night. Visit it, then make some judgements.
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14157

Do body builders look beautiful?
How much salt on your food is too much?
Its an interesting piece of architecture, it assumes a certain point of view. We don’t all have to agree on everything. Some of the commentators don’t seem to be able to embrace that idea. And take a look around – this is hardly the most radical piece of art/architecture out there

to all the haters who think Stone’s writing is “too much” or whatever– you clearly haven’t read your share of theory, have you? The man sounds down to earth all right, but he’s an artist, so cut him some slack and let him express his ideas. You think part of the work is “disturbing”, and see that as bad? That just demonstrates you’re so stuck up in your own conservative ideas about architecture that unfortunately you won’t ever be able to understand.
I’m weirdly touched by the man’s work– those images pry something loose in me, like art should, beyond readymade explanations or generic reasoning – which he avoids, thankfully, especially any clear attribution of meaning. If you’re reading this, Mr. Stone– thanks!

It is really disturbing that architects (or people in general) can be this bitter towards each other, but I think it goes with the Internet as a medium that we’re all very disconnected from each other.

Well put, Justice, we should all probably just shut up and get back to drawing. And to anyone who talks shit about this building and hasn’t been there, its worth going. The photos are beautiful but the experience of it is better. The ceiling inverts the landscape, drawing it into the building with you. The space keeps you so close to the landscape that it is kind of creepy, but that is what makes it so goddamn beautiful.

Just see it for yourself.

Rosa Muerta was a shock to me. I loved it but really questioned it with a heavy inner criticism. I wondered why the hearts, why the ropes, why all this symbolism.

After reading Robert’s text it really makes sense;

I grew up in the desert, and am very familiar with the Joshua Tree and 29 palms area. It is a WIERD, TRIPPY part of the country. Its filled with military bases, meth users, Rednecks on ATV’s, Retirees from Minnesota, KB-Home Developments, Casinos, Mexican immigrant cities, and Hippies. No one is normal, I guarantee it.

Given the context, I really understand how these two projects are a criticism and commentary to both Modernism, and the Mojave Desert area.

I kind of wonder how Robert intends to keep the place from getting trashed by those rednecks on ATV’s, I have seen a lot of modernist landmarks out there get vandalized and gutted.

I love this house… but I don’t know that I would rent it at this location. I’d like to see it built in different climates to see how the change in environment has on the emotional impact of the interior spaces… I’m thinking tons of snow or tons of trees. I would love it in a forest setting, all that green would be exhilarating.

I really like both: the black and the golden version, I would do without the heart, don´t mind the text although it´s true is a bit hard to read, but in any case I agree with Roberts dissertation. My only critic would be that both houses are very similar; in fact they are almost the same if it wasn´t for the different level approach Rosa Muerta has the only difference would be color. But at the end both the black and golden versions have something equally vintage to them. Perhaps next house he shows us will be silver, wooden or with rally stripes?

I really like this project..

I realy liked rosa muerta…

I just wished Robert Stone stopped saying this was so different and out of the mainstream and against all architecture…. its completye modernistic with a slap of dwelling decor ina minimalistic way….

It may feel very different for him.. and he is entitled to his opinion..

for his explanations I love to her architects, designers and artis express their ideas behind, even if it can be sensless rambles sometimes… its really hard to express ones emotions and these projects where clearlye don with a lot of emtion behind them…

nice work..