Category: Architecture

  • Aluminaire House

    Aluminaire House

    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.)

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  • Kaufmann House

    Kaufmann House

    470 WEST VISTA CHINO
    PALM SPRINGS

    One of the most famous residences in the world (let alone Palm Springs!), the Kaufmann House was designed by Richard Neutra in 1946. Famed photographer Julius Shulman’s 1947 images of the place turned it into a landmark virtually overnight, and it has gone on to become one of the most photographed pads in history – so much so that when it was listed for sale with Christie’s auction house in 2007, it was categorized not as a piece of real estate, but a work of art! The property also boasts a handful of non-architectural claims to fame – not only did singer Barry Manilow call it home for several years, but it appeared prominently as Chris Pine’s pad in 2022’s “Don’t Worry Darling.”

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  • St. Theresa Catholic Church

    St. Theresa Catholic Church

    2800 RAMON ROAD
    PALM SPRINGS

    This stunning sanctuary is the work of architect William F. Cody. Erected in 1968 and eloquently described by ”Explorer’s Guide” as ”a modernist contemplation of a Gothic cathedral,” the church is a marvel, featuring sloping walls that cinematically curve upward toward a soaring wood-beamed ceiling. Cody, who crafted everything from the structure’s stained glass windows to the baptismal font, was recognized by the Golden Palms Award Committee for his design, which garnered quite a celebrity following, with everyone from Bob and Dolores Hope to Loretta Young attending mass on the modernist premises. Sonny Bono’s funeral was even hosted at St. Theresa’s following his untimely death in 1998, as was Cody’s in 1978, just a decade after the church’s completion.

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  • Palm Springs City Hall

    Palm Springs City Hall

    3200 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY
    PALM SPRINGS

    Designed by powerhouse architects Albert Frey, E. Stewart Williams, John Porter Clark and Robson C. Chambers, Palm Springs City Hall was constructed over a period of five years beginning in 1952. The one-story concrete block structure is fronted by a handsome brise-soleil forged from aluminum piping and a massive canopy complete with a circular cutout through which three towering palms grow. The striking visage is an impeccable reflection of the city’s modernist heritage.

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  • Palm Springs International Airport

    Palm Springs International Airport

    3400 EAST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY
    PALM SPRINGS

    An architectural tour of Palm Springs kicks off upon arrival at the city’s airport, a true modernist gem fashioned by Donald Wexler in 1966. Laid out in a simple X formation, the architect created the space with navigational ease in mind, noting, “Passengers can see everything from one corridor without the use of confusing signage.” That effortless configuration remains in place today. Capped by an impressive peaked roofline, the airport also boasts floor-to-ceiling glass walls that showcase the surrounding landscape, serving as a glorious welcome to the desert. Those not arriving by plane can still experience all that PSP has to offer via a daily Stay and Play Pass.

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