Palm Springs | Early Modernists

While Palm Springs, CA represents the height of mid-century design, modernism both proceeds that period and continues to be explored today as in most places. That is my way of saying it isn’t a one note mid-century town. There are layers here worth exploring. At the modernist heart of our tour were some of the pioneering architects of the 40’s who were working counter to the Hollywood Spanish Revival architecture at the time. Here are a few cool examples we were able to see.

John Lautner | Architect John Lautner’s Desert Hot Springs Motel was designed in 1947 to be part of a resort owned by a Hollywood film director. After completing only 4 units and a pool pavilion the project was halted and become a hideaway for several years. Having sat abandoned for many years the remaining units have been fully restored and reinvented. A business pair purchased the abandoned property and have slowly restored the cabins and developed an event venue around the architectural rentals.

Richard Neutra | While we didn’t get to go inside either of the homes we drove by the famous 1947 Kaufman House and were able to take a private external tour of the grounds at the 1937 Miller House. Both homes have been meticulously restored by their current owners and are lightly being lived in.

Albert Frey | Probably the highlight of our trip was touring both the 1964 Frey House II and the 1955 Cree House. Both homes are in 99% original condition having either been kept as is or restored. The Frey II house is now owned by the neighboring Palm Springs Art Museum and available for limited tours. The Cree House was purchased by a local business man who had grown up in the home. He hired high end craftspeople to lovingly restore the home. Witnessing the architect’s use of space, materials and simplicity in both homes was inspiring.

Stay tuned for more layers to our Palm Springs trip in upcoming weeks. In the meantime be safe and well. Cheers!