Palm Springs School of Architecture
{{Short description|Style of architecture originating in Palm Springs, California, United States}}
The Palm Springs School of Architecture, is a regional style of post-war architecture that emerged in Palm Springs, California, and is closely associated with Desert Modernism.{{cite web|last1=Craven|first1=Jackie|title=Desert Modernism|url=http://architecture.about.com/od/20thcenturytrends/ig/Modern-Architecture/Desert-Modernism.htm|website=ww.about.com|accessdate=6 March 2015}}{{cite web|title=Palm Springs Modernism|url=http://www.psmuseum.org/architecture-design-center/palm-springs-modernism/|website=psmuseum.org|accessdate=6 March 2015}} Many of the architects who pioneered this style became world-renowned later in their own careers. Numerous buildings and homes by these architects remain in the Coachella Valley. Additionally, this style of architecture is showcased annually at the Modernism Week event in Palm Springs.
Characteristics
The Palm Springs School of Architecture is characterized by its adaptation to the desert's brutal climate. Block walls, clerestory windows, long, low rooflines, and the inclusion of the desert itself in the design highlight the common elements of the Palm Springs School. Architectural movements are often recognized only after the fact. While the spectrum of Palm Springs' midcentury architecture stretches all the way from John Lautner to Richard Neutra,{{cite web|last1=Moruzzi|first1=Peter|title=The Time: Modern|url=http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/February-2007/Modernism-Timeline/|website=palmspringslife.com|publisher=Desert Publications|accessdate=3 March 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615070748/http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/February-2007/Modernism-Timeline/|archivedate=15 June 2015}} the many architects working in this small town responded to a unique combination of conditions through a shared commitment to Modernism. This environment fostered creative and experimental approaches, allowing architects to take advantage of California’s design freedoms.
Each architect responded to the desert climate, mountain landscape, recreational culture, affluent clientele, and Modernist techniques, including mass production and steel-and-concrete construction. Their responses were different, but their devotion to modern ideas in the open atmosphere of Palm Springs{{cite web|last1=Stern|first1=Michael|title=Building on Last Century's Innovation|url=http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/February-2013/Building-on-Last-Centurys-Innovation/|website=palmspringslife.com|publisher=Desert Publications|accessdate=2 March 2015}} and California nurtured a remarkable concentration of ideas and buildings. Though connected to the broader wave of innovative design in midcentury California, Palm Springs' relative isolation, focused architectural themes, and high concentration of architects working almost exclusively in the region led to a distinct architectural identity now known as the Palm Springs School.
Notable architects
Robson C. Chambers, John Porter Clark, William F. Cody,{{cite web|last1=Cygelman|first1=Adele|title=Modern Sophisticate|url=http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/January-2015/Modern-Sophisticate/|publisher=Desert Publications|accessdate=3 March 2015}} Albert Frey, A. Quincy Jones, Hugh M. Kaptur, William Krisel, John Lautner, Richard Neutra, Donald Wexler, E. Stewart Williams, and [http://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org/about/paul-revere-williams-architect/ Paul Revere Williams] are the leading names of this regional style.
Other architects contributing to the Palm Springs School of Architecture include [http://ultramodernstyle.com/mid-century-modern-man-barry-berkus/ Barry Berkus], Herbert Burns, Charles DuBois, Edward Fickett, Rick Harrison, Howard Lapham,{{cite news|last1=Descant|first1=Skip|title=The Desert Star, A Shining Gem of Modernism|url=http://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/tourism/2015/02/20/vacancy-column-palm-springs/23772721/|accessdate=3 March 2015|publisher=The Desert Sun|date=February 20, 2015}} Harold Levitt, James McNaughton,{{cite web|last1=Starstreak|title=Recognized McNaughton|url=http://jamesmcnaughtonarchitect.blogspot.com|website=blogspot.com|accessdate=4 March 2015}} Val Powelson, Robert Ricciardi, Stan Sackly,{{cite news|last1=Taylor Tudzin|first1=Jessica|title=Modern Redux|url=http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/March-2014/Modern-Redux/|accessdate=4 March 2015|issue=March 2014|publisher=Palm Springs Life}} and Laszlo Sandor.
Donald Wexler's{{cite web|last1=Wisniewski|first1=Katherine|title=Remembering Donald Wexler, the Inventor of Palm Springs Modeninsm|url=http://curbed.com/archives/2015/07/01/donald-wexler-retrospective.php?fb_ref=Default|website=curbed.com|publisher=Curbed.com|accessdate=1 July 2015}} [http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/riverside/steel-modern-a-history-of-steel-houses-in-palm-springs.html Steel House #2] is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Architect and historian Alan Hess is a leading advocate of the [http://alanhess.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-palm-springs-school-vs-sarasota.html Palm Springs School of Architecture].