Photo of the Week: Refuge on the Open Plains

Only the occasional tree or farmhouse blocks the view of the horizon from this home. The house itself is slightly raised on a shallow incline, which allows for perfectly clear views from the home's large windowed walls.

The front of the house is entirely transparent, but is set back from the porch, allowing for a sense of privacy. The doors leading out to the porch fold accordion-style. This extends the great room into a screened-in space in the summer. As the sky gets darker, the house starts to glow, becoming visible from far distances.

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The interior of the house mainly consists of one large great room. Steep ladders on either side lead to loft spaces lit by single windows. Window seats near the fireplace offer views of the expansive grassland.

The watchtower near the house is outfitted with a below-grade wine cellar and sleeping benches for guests. A paved pathway leads from the entry of the tower directly to the entrance of the house, leading guests to their beds after an evening in the main residence.

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