Desert Temple House, La Quinta, California

Every architectural project brings its own design challenges and opportunities. For the Desert Temple House, in the desert landscape of La Quinta, Southern California, the vision focused on a warm, natural wood aesthetic that blends effortlessly with its surroundings.

Designed by Nomad Design and built by McClure Homes Design Build (MHDB), the project needed a facade screening solution that could deliver precise alignment and refined detailing while seamlessly integrating with the building’s exterior without the added cost and complexity of traditional direct-fix clips.

Product
Click-on Screens 

Materials
Aluminum 

Applications
Screens

Sector
Residential

Architect
Nomad Design

Builder
MHDB

Location
La Quinta, US 

Completion
2024

Photographer
Diego Padilla

Warmth and Texture with American Oak Wood Finish

American Oak Wood Finish Aluminum was chosen for its authentic wood appearance, adding warmth and natural texture to the home’s facade. Beyond aesthetics, the finish offers the natural appeal of wood with exceptional durability and low maintenance, both crucial qualities for the Southern California climate.

The choice of wood-look facade screening was driven by the desire to create a facade that feels connected to the desert landscape, echoing the sandy tones and organic forms found in nature. The result is a striking architectural statement that is both timeless and functional. The screening is continued inside for a cohesive interior-exterior look.

The aluminum Click-on Screens, particularly the wood textures, are unparalleled on the market. The ability to use natural timber and aluminum battens interchangeably, with a near-perfect match in wood species and grain, provides a level of design flexibility and aesthetic cohesion that we have not found elsewhere.

Andrew McClure

Nomad Design

Facade Screening Design

The facade screening adds rhythm and depth to the Desert Temple House, creating dynamic shadow patterns that shift throughout the day. These subtle changes enhance the visual interest and strengthen the connection between interior and exterior spaces. The screens also provide privacy for the residents while maintaining openness and a strong visual dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

Flexible Installation

Originally, achieving this refined look with direct-fix clips would have been challenging. The development of the Click-on Screens system made it possible to install screens using back and end mount methods, providing greater design freedom and a seamless appearance from all angles.

The modularity of the Click-on Screens system simplified the installation process and factory-spaced clips ensured alignment across the facade, perfectly complementing the project’s modern desert architecture.

Achieving Modern Wood Facade Screening in Southern California

The Desert Temple House showcases how thoughtful material choices and innovative screening systems turn design intent to reality. By installing Sculptform’s Click-on Screens in American Oak Wood Finish, the project delivers a warm, timber-look facade that integrates seamlessly with the desert surroundings.

The product's ease of installation is a major advantage. Its simple-to-cut and straightforward installation process saves significant time and labor on-site. The wide range of configurations and customization options provide a versatile toolkit for addressing a variety of design solutions, from simple installations to complex applications.

Mark McClure,

MHDB

Cohesive Collaboration

At Sculptform, we collaborate with architects and builders to transform complex ideas into buildable realities. Our Click-on Screens system proved ideal for this project, offering unique back and end mount connection options. This flexibility allowed screens to be fixed directly to stucco substrates, preserving the design intent and achieving a clean, cohesive finish.

Working with Sculptform has been a positive and integral experience on all of our projects. The US-based team has consistently demonstrated a high level of expertise and collaboration. They have been an invaluable resource, proactively engaging with us to work through complex construction details and even custom modifications. This collaborative approach has been crucial in translating our design vision into reality, ensuring a seamless and efficient process from conception to completion.

Andrew McClure

NOMAD DESIGN

Seamless Facade Screening in Southern California