Palm Springs Architectural Gems

Hi friends 👋

Welcome to this week’s instalment of The Midmod Corner.

Drive into the California desert and you’ll stumble upon a modern architecture oasis in Palm Springs. The city holds a thrilling tale of celebrities, socialites and unique modern design that has inspired countless admirers.

It’s Thursday! Let’s boogie!

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🗞️ The Story

No Californian city embodies mid-century modern architecture quite like Palm Springs. Pioneers such as Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, E. Stewart Williams, and Donald Wexler left an indelible mark, erecting hundreds of futuristic structures between 1945 and 1975.

Here are 5 of the my all time favorite architectural gems you can visit in Palm Springs.

Designed in 1968 for American designer Arthur Elrod, who created the interiors for the home himself. The Elrod House, situated atop Palm Springs' Araby Cove neighborhood, gained fame as a filming location in the James Bond movie 'Diamonds are Forever.'

Distinguished by its dome-shaped roof composed of alternating glass and concrete segments, expansive sliding glass walls framing the living area, and a striking crescent-shaped swimming pool, this residence exudes a quintessential modernist allure.

Built in 1946 by Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra, this two-story residence boasts characteristic elements of modern architecture, including a flat roof, light-colored facade, and shaded outdoor areas.

Adorned with slatted metal fins along its patios, the house offers both shelter from scorching temperatures and picturesque views of the expansive sandy gardens dotted with large boulders, cacti, and palm trees.

Twin Palms, crafted by architect E. Stewart Williams, stands as a hallmark of Palm Springs' distinctive "desert modernism" style, synonymous with the area's architectural identity.

In 1947, Frank Sinatra was among the earliest celebrities to establish a presence in Palm Springs, then a tranquil desert enclave conveniently close to bustling Los Angeles.

For himself and his wife Nancy, the star commissioned local architect Williams to design a home where they could escape the gossip and cameras of Hollywood. It was the architect's first residential project.

Albert Frey, a celebrated architect of Palm Springs, crafted the appropriately dubbed Frey House II as his second personal residence. Revered as an emblem of desert modernism, this dwelling doubled as Frey's living quarters and studio for numerous years.

Erected in 1963, the edifice, adorned with rock and metal ceilings, rests upon a concrete pedestal elevated above Palm Springs. Crowned with corrugated aluminum panels and ensconced in sliding glass doors, it offers breathtaking vistas. And don't miss the iconic boulder nestled within the bedroom of this inspirational abode.

The renowned House of Tomorrow, conceived in 1960 by William Krisel and Dan Palmer for Robert & Helene Alexander of the Alexander Construction Co., gained further fame when Elvis and Priscilla Presley chose it as their honeymoon retreat seven years later. Today, it's recognized as the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway.

This captivating design features three circular levels beneath a batwing-style roof, inviting visitors to explore its unique architecture firsthand. Whether you're an Elvis enthusiast or simply appreciate mid-century marvels, this Palm Springs residence is sure to inspire.

🌐 Around The Web

The Vault: Who said flip clocks were out of style? Meet TWEMCO, the world’s leading manufacturer in fully automatic flip clocks. Founded in 1956 in Hong Kong, TWEMCO has had over 50 years of dedicated experience in crafting the best fully automatic perpetual calendar digital clocks for people. (link)^*

The Vinyl Frontier: Swiss furniture label USM Haller partners with audio brand Symbol Audio to unveil a sleek four-piece storage collection. Featuring vinyl storage and display cabinets, a record stand, and a cart, each piece showcases USM's modular system for flexible design. (link)

Flower Power: Just as much as IKEA loves looking to the future the brand has always had a knack for voyaging into the past. With that spirit, IKEA is digging back into its archives yet again to present the fourth drop of its Nytillverkad 80th anniversary collection. (link)

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