At the William Krisel Estates
As a student of Architecture and Design, I was especially touched to see the focus of Modernism Week 2016 on the iconic architects whose vision created the homes we like to tour, the lifestyle we celebrate here in the desert.
I attended the dedication of the star for Richard A. Harrison at the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, to honour his achievements. It was well deserved. Right in front of the Palm Springs Museum of Art Architecture and Design Center, the Architecture Walk of Stars is a fitting tribute to many of the architects that still keep inspiring us now.
At CAMP we were so fortunate to have Hugh Kaptur present, to talk about his work and show us some of his drawings. He lingered after his lecture to answer questions that brought the past to life for me. After the passing of Donald Wexler just last year, Hugh Kaptur is one of the few architects of this generation that can still delight us with stories about his work.
Several other books are highlighting the work of other architects. I was able to attend the book launch party of "William Krisel's Palm Springs" by Chris Menrad and Heidi Creighton at the former Krisel home in the Twin Palms neighborhood. Mr. Krisel’s accomplishments were celebrated this MW with the Street Dedication of William Krisel Way, close to his Twin Palms home. As one of the pioneers of mass produced, partially pre-fab homes he had a successful partnership with the Alexander Construction Co., they built many affordable tract homes not just here in the Palm Springs area, (the Sandpiper Palm Desert) but all over Southern California, one of their projects, Corbin Palms, in Woodland Hills, built in the San Fernando Valley, is still considered one of the most successful tract home projects in Mid Century style.
William Krisel received his Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2009 and was present then for the dedication ceremony, accompanied by his wife.
The Desert Modernists book
The book The Desert Modernists: The Architects Who Envisioned Mid-Century Modern Palm Springs, published in 2015, highlights the work of several of the most prominent desert Modern architects.
The typical accordion Wexler roof with glas curtain wall in North Palm Springs.
Another Wexler designed home with a typical roof in North Palm Springs.
Donald Wexler, his “Floating Steel Houses” are a few of the prized homes we still have here in North Palm Springs. The “Alexander” homes he designed in South Palm Springs are some of our Mid Century Modern jewels. The PS Art Museum dedicated a show to his work a few years ago.
Other architects such as “Desert Maverick” William F. Cody, who used the thinnest of concrete skins to stretch over the gravity defying cantilever wing shaped roofs he designed, then he juxtaposed the roofs with floor to ceiling glas walls to create a floating effect.
The sculptural quality of the Frey House on Tahquiz Canyon, photo by Jay Jorgensen
The sculptural qualities of the designs by Albert Frey, are some of the earliest landmarks in Palm springs. His Albert Frey House II high on the hills of West Tahquitz Canyon, with a corrugated Aluminum roof and glass walls floats as a gravity defying sculpture that hugs the rugged rocks.
E. Stuart Williams, who famously convinced Frank Sinatra to choose his “Shed Roof” design for the Twin Palms home he built for him later said, he was so glad Frank Sinatra chose the modern low-lying frame design, …”it integrated so well into the desert landscape.”
The Case Bank now, still just as stunning
photo credit: Palm Springs Historical Society
The Willams design practice was joined byJohn Porter Clark in the 1960s, together these architects created so many buildings in that still delight us with their unmistakable style, the impressive Coachella Valley Savings & Loan Building with its wavelike spires that support the cantilevered roof. (Now Chase Bank building)
To join a Walking Tour of Old Las Palmas, to see the Kaufmann House designed by Richard Neutra, once owned by Barry Manilow, and other homes, was my way of connecting with the Hollywood vibe. While I was keeping my head cool with a large hat, I imagined the celebrities living in these homes. Dinah Shore, the Douglas family, Marylin M.'s small bungalow home before she became the famous actress we knew, even Elvis.
While walking past the restored Casa Liberace I smiled, his vivacious sense of show and flash still visible against the imposing stark outline of the mountains behind the home. The stone lions still stand guard, I wonder if his grand piano is still here.
I moved on to Twin Palms House in the Movie Colony where Frank Sinatra played in the star light by the piano shaped pool. Looking up, I saw the 2 long palm trees swaying in the wind that gave the home its name.
In my mind, I could just see the parties, the dresses, the laughter. I could almost hear Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack friends play a few tunes at the piano…
More to come...
Enjoy,
Jasmin
photo credit: various, Jay Jorgensen, Palm Springs Historical Society,