PS Modernism Week: Day 3

How could we resist? "BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - Built in 1967, this private and separate enclave of 14 oversized homes is architect William Krisel’s final phase at Canyon View Estates."

"Situated on a rise overlooking all of Canyon View Estates, the 6 homes on tour have unique and spectacular patio views to the east and south across Indian Canyons towards Southridge and the remarkable Bob Hope house, as well as the beautiful Andreas Hills. Highlights include the iconic umbrella roofline with clerestory windows, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, extended eat-in kitchens with west-facing views, interior laundry, two-car garages, lush landscaping, and a secluded resort-like pool and spa."

As for the architect, William Krisel is one of Palm Springs most notable midcentury architects. He is best known for his tract developments here. Throughout his career, Krisel produced fantastic modern architecture while maintaining a “down to earth” approach. He never forgot that architecture was ultimately for people and must respect economy, constructability and the market. Because of this approach, over 40,000 living units designed by Krisel have been built with nearly 1,500 of them located in Palm Springs.

Krisel stands out as one of the most important architects practicing in California during the midcentury. He had a sound philosophical grasp on architecture, was extremely talented at drawing, understood the outside forces effecting his work, and most importantly, while others were fabricating grand manifestos on architecture, he was building architecture.

We began our tour at house #5, that of Jeff & Scott. I knew I was going to love it when we were greeted by docent Miss Fern!

Oh and the yellow doors were my favorite (though all six homes were amazing, truly).

Julie has decided that she is going to write a coffee table book showcasing Cocktail Carts. What a fun household item to explore.

Each of the next five homes had elements worth sharing.

Homeowner Diego painted this amazing mural and challenged us to find his other creation.

This trompe-l'œil (the highly realistic optical illusion of three-dimensional space and objects on a two-dimensional surface) wall of breeze blocks really showcases his talents.

The Canyon View Estates neighborhood was also the setting for the recently released feature film Don’t Worry Darling as the town of “Victory”.

Tomorrow, we were set for the Atomic Ranch + Shag: Inside the Making of The Shag House (a 1958 Alexander in the Little Beverly Hills neighborhood). "Imagine the Shag universe come to life! Join us for a groovy talk and tour at the newly unveiled Shag House, a collaboration of art and design with interior designer John Patrick and artist Shag." Josh Agle is one of my favorites and I've mentioned him in my blog often (and yet again below).

Sadly, renovations got behind and there is still much work to do so numerous Shag fans are disappointed but everyone understands. Darn it!

Visiting Shag's place introduced us to Little Beverly Hills so we now have a new neighborhood to explore another time. Fun.

We then found our way to the Public Library for Moved by Modern.

Midcentury modern architectural photographer, Deb Smith's photos include a number of buildings in Palm Springs and other notable buildings from around the country. What a combo: midcentury and the library.

This very groovy set up was a big surprised. Housed in my favorite PS thrift store, Angel View, someone took a lot of time to create this mod space. And while I left without purchasing anything, I was very impressed with whoever curated the 'exhibit'.

We learned at the Visitors Center lighting ceremony that there are 26 historic buildings illuminated throughout town. Our goal is to find them all. We stumbled on this building and learned of its great importance. The International style, which inspired the unique midcentury modern architecture celebrated during Modernism Week, began in the Palm Springs area in 1934 with this particular creation. Swiss-born architect, Albert Frey (one of our favorites). Frey was brought here by A. Lawrence Kocher as a designing partner for this building for Kocher’s brother, Dr. Jacob John Kocher.