"The face of Palm Springs is altering" says Modernism Week CEO

In addition to being a mecca for modernist structure, Palm Springs is embracing climate-conscious design, says Modernism Week CEO Lisa Vossler Smith on this interview.

Vossler Smith instructed Dezeen that properties presently being constructed within the California desert city are combining modernist design ideas with energy-saving methods that embody solar energy and drought-tolerant landscaping.

“We’ve such nice potential for photo voltaic thermal heating and, as a result of we have now an underground water aquifer, there are lots of properties with wells,” she mentioned. “So we’re seeing it increasingly more out right here.”

Vossler Smith spoke to Dezeen forward of the 2023 version of Modernism Week, a competition that invitations the general public to discover the mid-century heritage of Palm Springs, which begins at the moment and runs till 26 February.

Situated two hours’ drive west of Los Angeles, the resort city options a number of the world’s best-known modernist homes, together with Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann Home and John Lautner’s Elrod Residence.

The occasion is now in its 18th 12 months, with a programme that may see 250 properties opened as much as the general public.

“Palm Springs represents a resort-style way of life”

The enduring enchantment of modernist-style properties, in accordance with long-time Palm Springs resident Vossler Smith, is that they make individuals nostalgic for a simpler time.

“Palm Springs represents a resort-style way of life,” she mentioned. “This all goes again to the Fifties, when it was meant as a spot the place individuals might escape metropolis life.”

“We’ve an indoor-outdoor life. We’ve beautiful mountain palm bushes. Homes are constituted of concrete, metal and glass that basically maximise the views, and each home has a kidney-shaped swimming pool.”

Regardless of its robust ties to the mid-century period, Vossler Smith believes that Palm Springs remains to be forward-looking by way of new structure.

“The face of Palm Springs is altering, it’s getting youthful and there may be extra up to date design,” she mentioned.

New properties follows “desert trendy” type 

This 12 months’s programme options LA-based architects Woods + Dangaran, whose initiatives embody the latest Desert Palisades home.

Its design combines the modernist proportions with tactile supplies like brass panels and textured concrete blocks.

Vossler Smith additionally factors to the work of Studio AR+D, led by architect Sean Lockyer, whose initiatives typically mix uncooked metal parts with dramatic cantilevers. Examples embody the weathering-steel-clad Desert Palisades Guardhouse.

“Palm Springs continues to evolve, however the great factor is that new builders and restoration initiatives are knowledgeable by the mid-century interval,” she mentioned.

“The type we frequently discuss with is desert trendy,” she added.

“It incorporates natural supplies and pure options that recall the mountains, the bushes, or the huge open plains of desert that we have now right here.”

Experimental off-grid properties within the desert

In line with Vossler Smith, probably the most experimental examples of latest design could be discovered within the excessive desert, on the outskirts of Palm Springs.

“Restrictions there are sometimes extra open and conducive to experimental design, so there are lots of off-grid properties popping up,” she mentioned. “These designs inform what’s occurring right here within the Palm Springs space.”

“With a lot potential for photo voltaic and desert landscaping, and drought-tolerant plantings, we’re seeing deliberate communities convert to extra sustainable practices.”

Learn on for an edited transcipt of the interview:

Amy Frearson: What’s Modernism Week?

Lisa Vossler Smith: Our occasion advanced out of the necessity to educate, protect and promote modernist structure. We did that by creating excursions, occasions and events in properties, so that individuals might really expertise the structure.

This 12 months, our 11-day run will see about 250 properties open for public viewing. There are additionally excursions that present the distinctive facets of every of the person areas, as a result of they’re diverse. There are giant California ranch-style mid-century properties on the golf course with lovely mountain views, all the best way right down to Racquet Membership Property tract properties that had been constructed by the Alexanders.

Amy Frearson: Why do you suppose modernist structure continues to be well-liked and appeal to so many individuals to go to Palm Springs every year?

Lisa Vossler Smith: The modernist way of life of Palm Springs undoubtedly represents a simpler time. It’s an period that we’re nostalgic for. The post-world-war-two technology, child boomers, kids of the ’70s and now new generations have all grown up seeing modernist design in popular culture.

Palm Springs represents a resort-style way of life. We’ve an indoor-outdoor life. We’ve beautiful mountain palm bushes. Homes are constituted of concrete, metal and glass that basically maximise the views, and each home has a kidney-shaped swimming pool. This all goes again to the Fifties, when it was meant as a spot the place individuals might escape metropolis life.

Amy Frearson: Is there a concern that Palm Springs might change into caught prior to now?

Lisa Vossler Smith: Palm Springs continues to evolve, however the great factor is that new builders and restoration initiatives are knowledgeable by the mid-century interval. The face of Palm Springs is altering, it’s getting youthful and there may be extra up to date design. It’s actually enjoyable to see designers utilizing modernist ideas but in addition capitalising on new applied sciences.

Palm Springs continues to be a forward-looking area, as a result of we’re in the midst of the desert and we’re considerably self-supported. Not solely by our personal inventive group, but in addition by the inflow of holiday makers within the winter. Individuals journey right here from everywhere in the globe, so we’re extensively influenced by those that carry their affect of worldwide design.

Amy Frearson: How would you describe the up to date Palm Springs structure type?

Lisa Vossler Smith: Architectural corporations and builders are very dedicated to sustainable improvement out right here. The type we frequently discuss with is desert trendy. It incorporates natural supplies and pure options that recall the mountains, the bushes, or the huge open plains of desert that we have now right here. Panorama is unquestionably the factor that tends to affect design right here, partially due to our horrible drought circumstances and the sensitivity round water. I feel all of those components, together with local weather change, will affect how designers method the desert shifting ahead.

Amy Frearson: Do you suppose it is doable to mix the ideas of modernism, which comes from a time when the surroundings was not a serious concern, with a sustainable method to design?

Lisa Vossler Smith: There’s undoubtedly a possibility to make use of the ideas and supplies of modernist design for sustainable practices. Palm Springs continues to be a spot the place that’s explored. We’ve such nice potential for photo voltaic thermal heating and, as a result of, we have now an underground water aquifer, there are lots of properties with wells. So we’re seeing it increasingly more out right here.

This 12 months our programme features a tour of sustainable properties within the excessive desert, which is essentially county land somewhat than metropolis authorities land. Restrictions there are sometimes extra open and conducive to experimental design, so there are lots of off-grid properties popping up. These designs inform what’s occurring right here within the Palm Springs space. With a lot potential for photo voltaic and desert landscaping, and drought-tolerant plantings, we’re seeing deliberate communities convert to extra sustainable practices.

Amy Frearson: Who’re the important thing architects, designers and personalities shaping the way forward for Palm Springs?

Lisa Vossler Smith: The restoration of the Kaufmann Desert Home, by the agency Marmol Radziner, was an influential second, and Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner proceed to be distinguished influences right here in structure and preservation. There are additionally younger designers like Sean Lockyer, whose designs are each up to date, impressed by nature and in addition minimalist and stark at instances.

Maria Tune is doing great, sustainable initiatives. In time I feel she’s going to assist us remedy a few of our planning challenges. Then there are architects who’ve been out right here for years like James Cioffi, a former apprentice of a number of the mid-century masters. He’s now within the later stage of his profession however remains to be designing lovely modernist buildings. There are additionally so many owner-builders which can be doing thrilling work, one home at a time.

Amy Frearson: What’s your private relationship with Palm Springs?

Lisa Vossler Smith: My household moved right here once I was in elementary college. I grew up in La Quinta, one of many cities within the Palm Springs area, and I’ve all the time had an curiosity in structure and in our group.

My profession has been in nonprofit occasion administration and manufacturing, which is how I received concerned within the competition. The subject material is close to and expensive to my coronary heart, not solely as a result of it celebrates my hometown, however as a result of it is about growing a group that helps design and structure.

It has been enjoyable to to see that explode right here in Palm Springs. Individuals come to our city simply to have a look at our properties and our buildings, and that is actually a powerful factor. We’re very dedicated to sharing the key sauce of Palm Springs with the remainder of the world.

Amy Frearson: What’s it prefer to reside in Palm Springs?

Lisa Vossler Smith: The most effective factor is about being right here is the neighbours. The folks that reside in these distinctive encapsulated properties are actually the treasure of Palm Springs. After they open their doorways to the general public, you get to really see the colorful outfits, the basic automobiles, the pets, and the best way they reside in these properties. That’s all a part of the mystique.

Amy Frearson: What sort of inside design are you able to anticipate finding in these properties?

Lisa Vossler Smith: Design right here runs the gamut from basic Americana to Fifties kitsch, with lacy wrought iron and even these acrylic grapes you might need discovered in your grandmother’s desk. It is a form of Jetsons-meets-Depart-It-to-Beaver Fifties world.

Amy Frearson: Is Modernism Week largely the identical every year, or are there new issues to see?

Lisa Vossler Smith: About half of the programming is new yearly. The Signature Dwelling excursions present new homes yearly and the Neighbourhood excursions present homes that do not repeat in all probability for about 5 years. We even have particular new alternatives every year, for instance, this 12 months we have now the chance to current two particular architects’ properties, the Robson Chambers Home and Cody’s Cody. These are two beautiful minimalist mid-century trendy properties that can be open only for in the future of excursions.

We then have repeat favourites just like the Double Decker Bus Tour, which is an architectural tour of the exteriors of the neighbourhoods of Palm Springs, in addition to the Palm Desert and Indian Wells residence excursions that we do.

Additionally this 12 months, we’re excited to be trying again on the pre-modernist interval in Palm Springs for the primary time. This has been a resort vacation spot city for the reason that ’20s and ’30s, so when modernist structure arrived within the ’30s and ’40s, it was knowledgeable by a lot of the courtyard type and indoor outside areas that had been created within the Spanish Colonial Revival type of structure.

We’ve an excellent laboratory right here of structure in Palm Springs, which is I feel why it endures. The design is timeless, the life-style was basic, and it is one thing that youthful generations are nonetheless in search of at the moment.

Modernism Week takes place in venues throughout the Palm Springs space from 16 to 26 February 2023. See Dezeen Occasions Information for an up-to-date record of structure and design occasions happening world wide.

The images is courtesy of Palm Springs Modernism Week until in any other case said.