101 NORTH MUSEUM DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
First displayed at the 1931 Architectural and Allied Arts Exposition in New York, the Aluminiaire House, designed by Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher, was created as an experimental example of affordable prefab living. Standing three stories, the 22- by 28-foot, 1,200-square-foot structure, which is enveloped in aluminum alloy and steel, took 10 days to complete. Considered a marvel of its day, the piece went into private collection shortly after the exposition and subsequently fell into disrepair. It was ultimately acquired by the Palm Springs Art Museum in 2020 and, after a lengthy restoration, was installed on permanent display. Recognized by Architectural Record as “one of the most important buildings completed worldwide in the past 125 years,” Aluminaire House is open Thursdays through Mondays and admission is free. (Note – only its exterior can be viewed. Interior access is not permitted.)