Modernism Week 2014: Palm Springs Bound!

03/12/2014 | Sara McLean |

Recently, Palm Springs Modernism Week was held in the beautiful, mid-century enclave of Palm Springs, CA. From February 13-23, 2014, modernistas descended on the desert community, ready to take in the resort-living and retro lifestyles trending today.

PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN

Once again, the event impressed and dazzled with an array of tours, seminars, shows and parties. Attendees came from close locales as well as many countries around the world, all proving that the mid-century lifestyle trend is continuing to grow and capture worldwide attention.

HISTORIC VIEW OF SANCTUARY AT TEMPLE ISAIAH. PHOTO TAKEN BY SARA MCLEAN OF ORIGINAL PHOTO COURTESY JULIUS SHULMAN.

SANCTUARY AT TEMPLE ISAIAH TODAY. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN. TEMPLE IS CURRENTLY RAISING FUNDS TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MID-CENTURY EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN.

Tours of estates and developments included the Hawaiian Estates Tour, Twin Palms Tour, Park Imperial South Twilight Tour, Glass House Tour and many others. To see a multitude of historic homes, a great option was the architectural bus tours, which pointed out key historic homes and developments.

ORIGINAL POSTER FOR ROYAL HAWAIIAN ESTATES. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN

ROYAL HAWAIIAN ESTATES TOUR. PATIO EXTERIOR. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN.

ROYAL HAWAIIAN ESTATES TOUR. IN PRAISE OF THE PINK BATHROOM. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN

HISTORIC IMAGE OF RACQUET CLUB ESTATES DEVELOPMENT.

HOMEOWNER IN HIS RACQUET CLUB ESTATES HOME. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN.

EXAMPLE OF RACQUET CLUB PATIO EXTERIOR. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN.

PARK IMPERIAL SOUTH TWILIGHT TOUR. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN.

PARK IMPERIAL SOUTH INTERIOR EXAMPLE. MOST UNITS STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL OVEN VENT. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN.

PARK IMPERIAL SOUTH INTERIOR VIEW. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF ORIGINAL OVEN VENT. PHOTO BY SARA MCLEAN.

Numerous lectures, seminars, films and shows dotted the schedule as well, all providing a wealth of knowledge about the key people and places that make Palm Springs a necessary stop on architectural education. Next year will mark the 10 year anniversary of Modernism Week so mark your calendars for February 12-22, 2015.