Palm Springs Modern: Houses in the California Desert

By Adele Cygelman

Internationally known as a luxurious oasis for the jet set, Palm Springs has attracted an eclectic crowd who have left a legacy of original and influential architecture. "Palm Springs Modern" showcases the premiere examples of homes that have made this city a mecca for mid-twentieth century modern architecture.

Palm Springs

As Hollywood celebrities, presidents, business barons, and artists came to play in Palm Springs during the winter months of the '40s, '50s, and '60s, they wanted exclusive estates and country clubs to create their own private Shangri-la. The city's popularity was so enormous that many visitors would buy land and build their vacation houses because they couldn't get a hotel room. After the second World War, a new style of resort life was defined by modernist architects practicing in the area, including Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, John Lautner, E. Stewart Williams, William Cody, John Porter Clarke, and Craig Elwood. As their designs resolved complex problems of hot days and cold nights, intense sunlight, and accompanying dryness, these architects perfected what they prefer to call "desert architecture."

Splendid residences of prominent Americans

Featured in the book are the splendid residences of prominent Americans, including Frank Sinatra, ambassador Walter Annenberg, and famous designer Raymond Loewy. In addition to Adele Cygelman's insightful text telling the story of each home, and a foreword by Joseph Rosa which situates Palm Springs in its unique twentieth century context, "Palm Springs Modern" features David Glomb's brilliant, contemporary color photographs as well as the extraordinary archival black-and-white work of Julius Shulman.

Palm Springs Modern

Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications
ISBN: 0847820912

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