As the influence of Modernism Week in February and its October preview continue to grow, one thing is clear: Good architecture isn’t defined by city limits.
Although the celebration of midcentury architecture initially found its fervent fans in Palm Springs, partnerships developed throughout the desert communities have unveiled notable structures in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Indian Wells.
For Modernism Week’s Fall Preview, Indian Wells will reprise its tour of the Indian Wells Golf Resort and surrounding neighborhoods introduced in February, but with some new elements.
Experience Indian Wells: Architecture, Art, Brunch, Lecture and Private Residence Tour is anchored by the 53,000-square-foot Indian Wells Golf Resort, exemplary of Desert Modern architecture and designed by Phoenix-based Douglas Fredrikson Architects. Built in 2008, the resort (formerly called the IW Club), is a multipurpose facility for dining and special events, with two signature public golf courses — the Celebrity Course (designed by Clive Clark) and the Players Course (designed by John Fought). The Indian Wells Golf Resort has been named as one of Golfweek’s Top 20 “Best Courses You Can Play” in California.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE INDIAN WELLS GOLF RESORT
The Indian Wells Golf Resort lobby (top) and view from the terrace.
The docent-led tour begins at the building entrance, showcases its dramatic interior architectural elements and stylistic interior design, then winds up the open staircase and features major art installations and captivating views of Eisenhower Mountain and the Santa Rosas, according to Linda Blank, event organizer and Indian Wells Resident
Guests move on to a Champagne brunch on the terrace of the resort’s VUE Grille & Bar, followed by a presentation by architect Lance O’Donnell on “the essence of place and its poetic connection to site and ecologically crafted modernism.”
O’Donnell’s firm, o2 Architecture, was honored in 2014 by the Palm Springs Modern Committee with the Sustainability in New Design Award for the “net zero house” in Palm Springs.
Next, guests proceed to the private home nearby to view his firm’s work. O’Donnell will give a tour of a 2,700-square-foot home his firm designed and was built in 2014 by D.W. Johnston Construction of Palm Springs. “Our Apache Road design is clearly in the modern spirit pioneered by local desert architects,” O’Donnell says. “In our designs, we incorporate timeless, durable, efficient building products and integrate innovative materials.”
PHOTO BY LANCE GERBER, NUVUE INTERACTIVE
Lance O’Donnell will give a tour of the Apache Road home designed by his architecture firm.
Following the private tour, guests will receive a map for driving through the neighborhoods to witness first-hand their eclectic assembly of charming Midcentury Modern and Spanish and Mediterranean style homes. “Indian Wells is a small residential community and neighborhoods that reflect fine examples of 1950s modern architecture and what architect E. Stewart Williams called ‘style of the times,’ ” says O’Donnell.
Experience Indian Wells: Architecture, Art, Brunch, Lecture and Private Residence Tour, 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23. Tour limited to 75 guests. Tickets are $75 each; modernismweek.com