July 8, 2026
Inside Borrego Springs' Award-Winning 806 House
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The Southern California architect explains how thoughtful design, floor-to-ceiling glass and the surrounding desert shaped one of Borrego Springs' most distinctive homes.
Architect Richard Orne shares the story behind the 806 House, a glass-and-steel desert home shaped by the light, views and quiet beauty of Borrego Springs. In this video, he reflects on designing a home that feels connected to the land around it.
Source: Bryan Soderlind YouTube Channel: @thegoldiebear
806 House at a Glance
Learn more at Dwell.com
- Designed by: Southern California architect Richard Orne with color designer Susan Hancock.
- Completed: 2013.
- Location: A 10-acre property in the Indian Head Ranch area of Borrego Springs.
- Setting: Bordered by the foothills of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with panoramic views of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
- Design concept: Created as a fusion of light and landscape, emphasizing a seamless connection between indoors and the desert.
- Architecture: A glass-and-steel modern home with approximately 85% floor-to-ceiling glass exterior walls, making the home feel transparent.
- Layout: Linear, open floor plan with living, dining and kitchen at the center, flanked by primary and guest suites.
- Construction: A hybrid steel moment-frame system combining prefabricated and conventional construction methods.
- Built by: Richard Orne and Susan Hancock through ASUL (Adaptable Systems for Urban Living).
- Recognition: Dwell Magazine expressed interest in featuring the home in 2011, but the story was postponed when the house sold before the photo shoot.
- Current owner: Swedish entrepreneur Peter Erlandsson, owner of String Furniture, who has agreed to allow the home to be published.
- Later addition: A lap pool was added after the home was purchased.
- Purpose: Designed specifically to withstand the harsh desert environment while maximizing views, natural light and seasonal changes.
- Borrego connection: The home showcases how contemporary architecture can complement—not compete with—the surrounding desert landscape.
- Dark Sky setting: Borrego Springs is one of California's premier dark-sky destinations, adding to the home's connection with the natural environment.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
When the future of the Community Concert Association was uncertain, Bill Wright inspired a path forward through growth, volunteers and community support. As the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association announces its new season, it is worth remembering the people who helped keep this tradition alive. Founded in 1975, the all-volunteer nonprofit brings high-quality, eclectic music to Borrego Springs. Each season includes five public concerts and four free educational concerts for local students. Children are bused to the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center to experience professional live music, and musicians also visit local schools for interactive programs that introduce students to music up close. That tradition almost came to an end. When the Association had fallen on hard times (2015) and was preparing to disband, Bill Wright stepped forward. By reaching out to his many business associates, Bill raised enough money to help save the organization and keep professional musicians coming to the Borrego stage. Among his written correspondence with the board, Bill Wright repeatedly advocated for “growth, not reduction,” encouraged members to “recruit new volunteers” and “develop sponsorship opportunities,” and closed one letter with a promise that captured his commitment: “We will do more than our share to keep the great music series going.”
The inaugural issue highlights the stories, people and experiences that make Rams Hill and Borrego Springs a truly unique destination.
By County News Center , County of San Diego Communications Office It’s getting hot out there. And when the heat is extreme — which can happen in the summer and even fall months in San Diego County — it can be dangerous for people and pets. Here are some tips to help you, your friends and loved ones stay safe when the temperatures spike. Remember, extreme heat can cause body temperatures to soar. And that can cause heatstroke, exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, confusion, headache and even death. People who are particularly at risk are children, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, someone who is pregnant, and outdoor workers. Cool Zones and Indoor Relief — Places to Stay Cool The County’s Cool Zones, including the County’s 33 branch libraries , community centers and other locations, offer people safe, air-conditioned sanctuaries from the heat. Here is a complete list of County Cool Zone sites , their hours and locations. You can also use the County’s interactive link that lets you search for Cool Zone sites by location, ZIP code, organization and by what animals are allowed. What to DO if Someone Shows Signs of Heatstroke Call 9-1-1 immediately. Signs of heatstroke include dizziness, nausea, confusion and headache. Begin cooling the person right away. Move them into the shade; spray them with cool water and fan them. If they are alert, place them in a cool shower and monitor their body temperatures. DO NOT give them fluids; a person with heatstroke may not be able to swallow safely. What to DO if Someone Shows Signs of Heat Exhaustion Signs include being faint or dizzy, excessive sweating, cool/pale/clammy skin, nausea/vomiting, rapid/weak pulse and muscle cramps. Get the person to a cooler, air-conditioned place. Have the person drink water if fully conscious. Place them in a cool shower or use cold compresses. Tips to Help People Avoid Heat-Related Problems Stay in an air-conditioned space during the hottest hours of the day. Don’t rely on electric fans alone when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Take cool showers. Never leave a child, elderly person, or pet unattended in a car — even briefly. Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day. Wear sunscreen and a wide-brim hat if you must be in the sun. Avoid using the oven to keep indoor temps lower. Tips to Keep Your pets cool in hot weather Keep your pets indoors if it is cooler inside. Exercise pets in early morning hours or early evening only. Keep your pets’ water supply in a tip-proof container, always topped off, and be sure it stays cool (pets will not drink water that is too hot). Consider a misting system to keep the outdoor areas cooler. Be sure your pet has shade ALL DAY, if they are outside. Remember, the sun’s position changes during the day. Avoid car trips; vehicles heat up dangerously fast. On an 85-degree day, a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes and soar upward even with the windows down an inch or two. Check pavement temperatures; if it is too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for paws. Offer a shallow wading pool or misting area. Watch for signs of heat stress: heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, lethargy, or stumbling. Seek veterinary help immediately if you notice these. The sun is beautiful, but dangerous in extreme heat. So, stay cool, check on vulnerable neighbors and keep pets safe!
Make a Night Sky Tour Part of Your July Getaway
Sylvia Maas’ nearly 7,000-kilometer ride from Norway to Spain ended after a serious knee injury during the NorthCape–Tarifa adventure.
Golf, restaurant and Ram Shack operations will pause as crews prepare the course for the season ahead.
Limited-time summer promotion encourages families to explore wolf conservation and education in Julian.
By Dennis Mammana Week of July 5-11, 2026 There's a constellation in our night sky right now that is somewhat unknown to stargazers. Despite being huge — it's the 11th-largest in all the heavens — it has no stars brighter than the North Star, so you won't find it easily without a pretty dark sky. Its name is Ophiuchus (oh-fee-YOU-kuhs), and if you'd like to find it this month, you'll need to get away from the city lights and gaze midway up in the southeast shortly after dark. Ophiuchus (the serpent-bearer) represents Aesculapiu, the ancient Greco-Roman god of medicine, healing and physicians, and its brightest star is named Rasalhague, which is Arabic for "Head of the Snake Charmer." Draped from one side of Ophiuchus to the other lies Serpens — the only two-part constellation in the heavens — with its head on one side (Serpens Caput) and its tail on the other (Serpens Cauda). I admit that it requires quite an imagination to find these star groupings, but once you do, you'll know them forever. In fact, you may even recognize this shape, especially if you've ever searched online for the name of a physician. Quite often, you'll find the image of two serpents wrapped around a vertical staff that appears topped by a round knob and is flanked by wings. It's known as the "caduceus," and since 1902, when the U.S. Army adopted it as the insignia of its Medical Corps, it has been the familiar emblem of the American medical profession. Many medical associations — including the World Health Organization — use what some consider to be the "correct" and traditional symbol of medicine: the staff of Asclepius, with a single serpent encircling a staff. Either way, people have long associated the serpent with medicine. Once you find its stars, you'll see that Ophiuchus lies along some of the thickest star clouds of the Milky Way. If you've managed to get yourself to a rural location with a non-light-polluted sky, you'll have little trouble finding the hazy band of the Milky Way passing near this constellation, along with the bright reddish-orange star Antares (the heart of Scorpius, the scorpion) just to its lower right. Be sure to take binoculars with you so you can scan this celestial region. Here you'll find countless "faint fuzzies" (as amateur astronomers affectionately call deep-sky objects). Many of these are star clusters — collections of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of stars held together by gravitation — and interstellar nebulae, where stars and planetary systems are constantly forming. Now, while you're gazing at the stars of Ophiuchus, here's a little tidbit to wrap your head around: This constellation is not one of the official signs of the zodiac, but it should be. Why, you ask? Because the sun spends three times as many days in front of the stars of Ophiuchus as it does in Scorpius. So why, then, is this constellation missing from the official zodiacal signs in horoscope tables? Your guess is as good as mine. Just remember, if you were born between Nov. 29 and Dec. 17, you're not a "Scorpio" or "Sagittarius," as you might have thought. You're actually an Ophiuchan! Make of that what you will... Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com . Learn More About Borrego Springs
January 20, 1977 Xmas circle 25 years old By VIRGINIA DeMARAIS Under the supervision of A. A. Burnand Jr., the $10,000 Christmas Circle fountain was nearing completion 25 years ago this month. The fountain is in memory of J. A. Di Giorgio, pioneer agricultural developer of Borrego Springs. Other events twenty-five years ago: Lucy Hillyer of Borrego Springs is the new president of the North San Diego County Chamber of Commerce. Bill DeMarais was installed as president of the Borrego Springs Kiwanis Club. Other officers are L. W. Lindherr, vice-president; Fred Gardner, treasurer and Roy Gentel, secretary. Membership of the club is 32. The Cliff Boren Construction Company of San Diego has completed three new homes. Hal Martinez reports a start on a three-bedroom home for William Sanderson near the Desert Lodge. Harry LeClaire, tract manager for the Borrego Springs Company, reports 20 parcels of land sold during the holidays, totaling $50,000. Work has started on straightening Banner Summit Grade, reports Hugh Woods, vice-president of the Highway 78 Association. The Borrego Springs Square Dance Club is meeting at Hoberg’s Desert Resort. Wick Hauser is caller and teacher, Dick Wear – manager. Girl Scout Troop 441 of Borrego Springs serenaded the valley with Christmas carols, under the supervision of Mrs. Ralph Bell, Girl Scout leader, and Mrs. Charles Broeske, assistant. Mrs. Lola LeBard has started construction of a house and trailer court at Sunny Acres on Split Mountain Road. Borrego starts the new year with 18 telephones in the valley. Cover girl for the recently published Redbook Magazine is Dolores Smith Dalzell, daughter of the Borrego mail carrier, George C. Smith. Chamber of Commerce president Hugh Woods reports discussions at meeting of possibility of a bank by Perry Burnand, and suggestions and ideas on promoting television reception in the valley. Birdies are not eagles! Our typewriter slipped when we said W. D. Johnston got an eagle 3 on the par 4 18th hole at De Anza in the last edition. It was, of course, an eagle 2. A review of 1961 A review of 1961 indicates several construction projects: Bill Furlong’s El Patio Shopping Center; a new Post Office; Norman Gilbert’s Building Service Center; the new Road Department Station on Borrego Valley Road; a nearly completed drive-in cafe for J. J. Svoboda; a new swimming pool and remodeling of six units at La Casa del Zorro; a swimming pool added at the Park ’n Plunge; Sun and Shadows, grown to four duplex units and a swimming pool; seven new homes at De Anza Desert Country Club and construction started on expansion of clubhouse; a new subdivision “SunGold” opened by Carlson-Corey Co. This has been sale month: the Borrego Pharmacy was sold to Arthur Holzman, Hacienda del Sol sold to Donald King-Ellison, Borrego Village sold to Thomas Beaudry, Ed Rogers took over the painting business of Denis Such, the Chevron Station was taken over by Hugh Woods, the Union Station sold to Jack Barling. New openings were the Carlson-Corey Realty Company, the Marga-Reta Remembrance Shop, the Bottle Shop, the Bantam Market, and the Lazy V. Cafe. Service seminar Eleven local men recently were given certificates for attending a special electronic ignition service seminar sponsored by J & R Auto Supply in Borrego Springs. The seminar was designed to familiarize them with the new automotive electronic ignition systems, according to John A. Bowley of J & R. Besides Bowley, participants included Ted Townsend of Borrego Automotive; Joe Romas and John Guelke of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; Billy Lawrence and Thomas Heiser of Borrego Springs Fire Department; John Petrich, Union 76 station; Paul Dellostrillo, Earl Cartier and Dale Cartier of Cartier Mobile Service; Angus Smith of De Anza Country Club, and Henry Barling Jr., Borrego Springs Dump Truck Service. Ewe goes to L.A. The body of the Bighorn sheep ewe that was found in possession of a man on Montezuma Grade was donated to the Los Angeles County Museum and will become part of a diorama there. Salton Sea steady The Salton Sea water level (-229.3 feet) has remained at that level from Sept. 30 to early December, according to Craig Engel, manager of the State Parks Department Salton Sea Area. Engel said this indicates that “perhaps the water monitoring, higher water rates and fines imposed by the Irrigation District are working.”
