As one of the best destinations in the world for midcentury modern architecture and the international architectural and design movement of the mid-20th century, Greater Palm Springs is getting ready to welcome a new museum dedicated to the art of architecture.

 

The Palm Springs Art Museum, which purchased the historic 1961 Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan building in downtown Palm Springs, is finishing up rehabilitating the iconic building. Set to open in fall 2014, the iconic building will house the new Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion. 

 

Designed by renowned midcentury modern architect E. Stewart Williams, the building was constructed in classic midcentury international style and was recently designated a protected Class I Historic Site. It features a ground level glass pavilion space that will showcase architecture and design exhibitions and will house a store and curatorial offices. The building's lower level will contain a vault, storage space, kitchen, restrooms and more than 13,000 square feet of meeting space. 

 

When completed, the center will be the country's first free-standing architecture and design museum housed in a historic, midcentury modern building. 

 

Midcentury modern art/architecture in Greater Palm Springs is particularly noted for its own regional offshoot, known as Desert Modernism, which features a distinctive style that includes ample glass walls and windows, open floor plans, dramatic rooflines and the flow between interior and exterior spaces. In addition to the new architecture center, visitors may celebrate the area's distinctive form of midcentury modern architecture by attending the annual event known as Modernism Week, held every February, or by participating in customized area tours. 

 

The hugely popular annual event, Modernism Week, which celebrates all things midcentury, including design, architecture, art, fashion and culture, is an exciting 11-day festival held every February. The celebration features more than 100 events including home tours, films, lectures, double-decker architectural bus tours, Modernism Show, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, a prefab Showcase and Modern Living Expo, tours of Sunnylands, vintage fashion, classic cars, garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition and more. 

 

In addition to the events in February, Modernism hosts a “Fall Season Kick-Off” during Columbus Day weekend in October. Partner organizations collaborate to produce a “mini Modernism Week” to commence the season in Greater Palm Springs. 

 

Local companies, The Modern Tour and Palm Springs Modern Tours, offer guided itineraries that are packed with information about the meticulously preserved historic neighborhoods that capture the glamour, sophistication and flair of California's swingin' midcentury modern lifestyles.

 

Personally guided small group tours (max. 6 guests) share the stories of the talented architects, designers and builders who contributed to the city's modernist legacy and the sun-loving Southern Californians who lived and played here in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

www.palmspringsmoderntours.com

 

Michael Stern, author of the best-selling book “Julius Shulman: Palm Springs,” leads small group tours that showcase some of Greater Palm Springs' finest examples of midcentury modern architecture, while discussing the works of such noted architects as Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Donald Wexler, E. Stewart Williams and William Cody, to name just a few. The 2 ½- hour tour uniquely includes visits to residential interiors of selected homes on the tour.