Invisible House Appears in the California Desert at Joshua Tree Park: Transparent by Day, Colorful by Night

By Hully

We’ve seen glass houses and crystal homes, but have you ever seen a “see-through” house? Artist Phillip K. Smith III (Phillip K. Smith III) unveiled his latest creation—Lucid Stead—in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. By combining mirrors, natural light, custom electronic equipment, and a 70-year-old wooden cabin, he has crafted a structure in the desert that reveals only parts of its framework, giving off an ethereal, floating, suspended, and nearly invisible feel.

▲ Phillip K. Smith III has created a fascinating “see-through” house in Joshua Tree National Park. (Photo / Courtesy ofPhillip K. Smith III's official website) 

Through the clever arrangement of mirrors, the wooden cabin reflects the vast desert landscape during the day, creating an illusion of transparency. At night, LED installations on the doors and windows display red, green, and blue hues, casting colorful patterns that add a touch of romance to the otherwise cold and desolate desert night.

▲ The “see-through” house uses strategically placed mirrors to reflect the desert by day (left), while its doors and windows glow in red, green, and blue by night (right). (Photo / Courtesy ofPhillip K. Smith III's official website)

Originally planned as a two-day exhibition, the see-through house proved unexpectedly popular. As a result, Phillip K. Smith III will hold a solo exhibition on November 29 in Palm Desert, California, and will also showcase the work at the “UNTITLED” art fair in Miami on December 1.