Baby Boomers pass the mid-century baton in Palm Springs

2015-02-26T09:49:00-05:00

Along the highways leading from Los Angeles into the Coachella Valley desert, there are two types of sign-posts. One is the rocky, harsh faces of the imposing mountains – the closer the mountains are cut to the side of the road, the narrower the perspective and the less intimidating the surrounding desert seems, like blinders on a horse. The other is literal sign-posts, glowing lollipops of fast food restaurants, gas stations, motels and casinos. Floating above their signifieds like geotags on a satellite image, they make their offerings known – food! gas! fortune! In the desert’s harsh environs, it’s too risky to venture into the unknown, so best stick with the drive-through cheeseburger.

But then, suddenly there are neat rows of palm trees. Scattered lights on the nightscape coalesce into boulevards and fall in line with landscaped desert palms, manicured gravel patches, and curated cacti. And then there are the mid-century modernist dollhouses, amidst equally inspired gas station...

Archinect Sessions Episode #17: "From the 101 to the 60 to the 10 to the 111"

2015-02-19T14:20:00-05:00

Far away from the snowscapes peppering the rest of the country, the salt flats and dry martinis of Palm Springs exists in a time and place apart. An original enclave of midcentury modernism, Palm Springs has been able to preserve that heritage thanks in large part to Palm Springs Modernism Week, a series of events, lectures and tours whose proceeds go straight back into local architectural preservation and advocacy.

On this episode, we discuss Palm Springs' modernism in the midst of the city's generational transition, and feature a conversation Paul and Amelia had with PSMOD board member, Mark Davis. We also check in on another (contested) southern Californian icon – the Broad Museum, which opened for a one-day public sneak peek last Sunday.

As always, you can send us your architectural legal issues, comments or questions via twitter #archinectsessions, email or call us at (213) 784-7421.

Listen to episode seventeen of Archinect Sessions, "From the 101 to the 60 to the 10 to the 111" :...

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Baby Boomers pass the mid-century baton in Palm Springs

Archinect Sessions Episode #17: "From the 101 to the 60 to the 10 to the 111"