Palm Springs mid-century modern texture is one of the design hallmarks that makes this region so recognizable. As a Palm Springs homeowner for over a decade, I’ve watched several neighborhoods re-emerge and blossom into beacons of desert modernism. While the simplicity of the images above may seem like ‘no brainers’, it couldn’t be further from the truth. In a minimalist environment, every detail counts. Think Chinese Brush Painting, the simplest strokes can have the most impact, therefore, every detail must be deliberate. When competing with the low slung or butterfly rooflines of Wexler, Alexander and Meiselman homes, less is more. To much going on around the home, can detract from those amazing design lines.
Drought resistant landscaping, known as Xeriscaping, is a perfect companion to the elegant mid century modern textures. Corrugated metal fences, like the one shown above, withstand the summer heat remarkably well. Inspired by Albert Frey’s use of corrugated metal at city hall, many homeowners have begun adopting this material over the last decade. I’ve seen dilapidated wooden fences all around the city being replaced by this material… mine included. And the way corrugated metal reflects the sunlight on the colored dirt, plants and rocks can be beyond amazing. It’s like mood lighting that changes throughout the day.
Open carports with slatted wood, like the one shown above, are another great use of texture in the desert environment. The slats provide both privacy and shade, while also allowing breezes to pass through. Every little bit helps with the temperatures hit 110 and above (I know… it’s a dry heat).
And lastly, lets talk about those great circular metal partitions at Palm Springs City Hall. Was Albert Frey reusing the design element from the circular cutout for that iconic entry that allowed the palm trees to pass through the roof? Or was Mr. Frey inspired by the exhaust vents of a jet engine from the nearby airport? The partitions aren’t flat circles, they’re about 8-10 inches deep. They certainly have an ‘Atomic’ quality to them which would be in keeping with that period.
Across the street from City Hall is the Palm Springs International Airport, which was built by the United States Army Corps in 1939, and then declared surplus after the war in 1945. In 1946 it was sold to private buyers, which was then sold to the City of Palm Springs in 1961 and converted to the Palm Springs Municipal Airport. I can’t find any details to support my theory on the web, but maybe I didn’t dig deep enough. Albert Frey was a ground breaking architect who took inspiration from his environment, and is considered the founder of Desert Modernism. Maybe those circular partitions were a nod to the airport to the east, because in 1952, most mid-century homes hadn’t been built yet.
